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CTAA’s annual Small-Urban Network (SUN) conference is going virtual on August 6 and 7! Traditionally, this conference has been an opportunity for CTAA SUN members to gather and discuss their current operational challenges, learn new ideas from their peers and discuss ways in which their services could be  improved. This virtual conference will continue these important traditions and give SUN transit providers the opportunities to learn about concepts from technology-based service redesign to best electric bus practices.

sponsorship opportunities

We’re again very excited about the Annual SUN Conference this year. It will include the same audience of 80-100 general managers of small (populations of 350,000 and less) urban transit operators of fixed route and ondemand systems.

For sponsorship opportunities download our flyer and or contact events@ctaa.org.

register for
SUN 2020

Registration has closed. 

Virtual SUN: schedule and sessions

All Times are Eastern Time Zone

Day 1, Thursday, Aug. 6

CTAA’s Executive Director, Scott Bogren will discuss key themes and issues to be covered throughout the SUN conference, including: legislation, training and COVID-19 response. This will also be an opportunity for members to engage with Scott directly.

Grab a cup of coffee and join CTAA staff for a chat with Ecolane! There will be a brief presentation, along with an opportunity for Q and A.

Choose one breakout session that best aligns with your function area. Session topics are TBD, we encourage your entire team to join in on a session.

  • General Managers and Board Sponsored by TripSpark
  • Maintenance
  • Communications and Marketing: Using data analytics to portray your value to your riders is becoming increasingly popular. Join other communication professionals in learning how data analysis and reporting can not only better assist in marketing efforts, but reach a wider audience.
  • Finance: The current pandemic has thrown traditional budgeting out the window. Now with declining local tax and farebox revenue and an influx of dollars through the CARES Act, transit agencies have a host of decisions to make that balance short-term survival and long-term strategic planning. A panel of agencies will discuss their insights in how to leverage CARES Act funding, how to navigate loss of local revenue, and what the implications are for the future of transit budgeting.
  • Human Resources: COVID-19 and the subsequent “new normal” have made certain HR practices and procedures more difficult than usual. This roundtable will dive into three main topics: hiring employees in this new environment including navigating Zoom with an authentic interview process; staff development and the facilitation of mentorship and promotions to expand your succession planning process; and lingering challenges regarding procedures and operations related to COVID-19. Following a brief presentation there will be an opportunity for participants to engage with each other about a wide variety of topics facilitated by CTAA’s HR Director Caryn Souza.

Grab a cup of coffee and join CTAA staff for a chat with GMV Syncromatics! There will be a brief presentation, along with an opportunity for Q and A.

Choose one breakout session that best aligns with your interests.

  • Technology Based Service Redesign Sponsored by Routematch: New technologies have made it possible to reimagine how we deliver transit services, and the private sector has solidified new expectations with passengers. Now the pandemic has accelerated the need to rethink certain parts of our service networks. A panel of agencies will discuss their experiences in identifying where service can be improved, the search for technology that enables those improvements, and lessons learned throughout the process.
  • Electric Buses and Lessons Learned:Electric buses have taken the transit industry by storm, for better or worse. We’ve heard great stories about their cost-saving potential and their dramatic reduction in emissions. We’ve also heard about their difficulty running in various climates and their heavy up-front costs with charging infrastructure. During this session, you’ll hear from transit providers who will share their experiences in procurement, training their maintenance staff, adding the charging infrastructure, and the overall pros and cons of owning and operating electric buses.
  • Transit and University Partnerships – How to Improve Services: University partnerships have been critical for many SUN members. Those partnerships are changing as schools respond to COVID-19. This session will examine how SUN members can work effectively with these key partners and offer tips by GMs working directly with universities.

Metro Bus in St. Cloud, Minnesota will give attendees a virtual tour of their Travel Training Center; showing the facets of the facility and details the activities they base out of it – Travel Training, Dial-a-Ride eligibility, Community Outreach and more. Following the tour, there will be an opportunity for Q and A with Metro Bus. 

Day 2, Friday, Aug. 7

Scott Bogren (CTAA), Ed Redfern (Bus Coalition) and Rich Sampson (SWTA) will cover authorization, appropriations and COVID-19 legislative issues from their three organization’s perspectives. This session will be interactive and will help set CTAA’s legislative agenda for 2021.

Grab a cup of coffee and join CTAA staff for a chat with CURIS System! There will be a brief presentation, along with an opportunity for Q and A.

Executive Director of the FTA Matt Welbes will be on-hand to discuss key small-urban transit issues, from the federal perspective. He will also answer CARES Act related questions and discuss FTA priorities.

CTAA’s Scott Bogren and Loreal Lance will offer attendees a wrap-up of the conference and discuss key themes found throughout. This conclusion will allow SUN members to walk away with a strong foundation for the upcoming year.

The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and its members believe that mobility is a basic human right. From work and education to life-sustaining health care and human services programs to shopping and visiting with family and friends, mobility directly impacts quality of life.