The American Public Transportation Association, the leader in public transportation education and networking, is pleased to announce its 2012 conference, seminar, and workshop schedule.

These events have been developed to improve the knowledge and skill set (professional and technical) of transit professionals at all levels of their careers. These meetings also serve as an unparalleled marketing tool for public transportation manufacturers and suppliers, bringing buyers and sellers face to face.

Please note that not all meeting dates and locations for 2012 have been finalized. Please check back later as we update the schedule.

2012 APTA Conference Schedule

January

• Business Member Board of Governors Annual Business Meeting
  January 11-14, 2012
  Hyatt Grand Champion Resort & Spa - Indian Wells, CA
  This meeting focuses on business in the transit industry and support for APTA’s transit advocacy efforts. All APTA business members are welcome and they are encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting.
• Transit CEOs Seminar
  January 28-31, 2012
  The Peabody Orlando - Orlando, FL
  This unique executive leadership forum on emerging trends and best practices focuses on public transportation policy, new business models, security, labor relations, funding, finance, and more. The seminar is open to chief executives of public transportation systems and their deputies.

February

• Legal Affairs Seminar
  February 19-21, 2012
  Marriott Tampa Waterside & Marina - Tampa, FL
  This seminar, for attorneys representing all APTA members, provides up-to-date information on regulatory/legislative developments, industry-related litigation, and other legal issues affecting the transit industry.
• Marketing & Communications Workshop
  February 26-29, 2012
  Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay - Miami, FL
  An intensive workshop for public transportation personnel involved in marketing, communications, media relations, advertising, planning, research, service development, and customer service. The workshop focuses on all aspects of public transportation marketing and communications, including media relations, customer service, ridership initiatives, and best practices.

March

• Legislative Conference
  March 11-13, 2012
  JW Marriott - Washington, DC
  This conference directs the industry’s advocacy effort and legislative strategy to the U.S. Congress and Administration; offers sessions with key members of Congress, Hill staff, Administration officials, and Washington opinion makers. Attendees include board members, policy makers, transit operators, consultants, manufacturers and suppliers, local coalition members, and state association leaders.

• Fare Collection Workshop & TransITech Conference
  March 20-22, 2012
  Worthington Renaissance Ft. Worth - Fort Worth, TX
  The Fare Collection Workshop features fare collection and enforcement, equipment maintenance, fare structure concepts, moneyhandling security, surveillance, fare media standards, and an equipment display. The TransITech Conference includes information technology specific and innovative technologies, transit-focused technologies, traveler information, electronic payment systems, and other transportation system issues affecting public transportation.

April

• ITS Best Practices Workshop
  April 17-18, 2012
  Bay Area Rapid Transit Offices, Oakland, CA
  The first of two ITS Best Practices Workshops this year will highlight wireless technology relating to the USDOT’s Connected Vehicle Program. Discuss how wireless interfaces with consumers continues to change the transportation picture. See August for information about the second ITS Best Practices Workshop.

May

• International Bus Roadeo
  May 4-8, 2012
  Hilton Long Beach & Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center - Long Beach, CA
  Bus operators and maintenance teams vie in separate competitions involving safe driving skills and maintenance disciplines, as well as the Customer Service Challenge, which tests the skills of bus operators. Roadeo participants will participate in specialized training courses as part of the Bus Roadeo during the Bus & Paratransit Conference.

• Bus & Paratransit Conference
  May 6-9, 2012
  Renaissance Long Beach & Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center - Long Beach, CA
  This conference is for all bus and paratransit system personnel, board members, policymakers, suppliers, consultants, and any other personnel involved with bus and paratransit design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Programming includes topics such as policy and planning, operations and maintenance, public transportation in today’s operating environment, technology, safety and security, procurement, professional development, and special issues on accessible transportation.

• Mobility Management Conference
  May 9-10, 2012
  Hilton Long Beach - Long Beach, CA
  This conference features enriching and engaging sessions on performance measurement, forming partnerships with different organizations, non-emergency medical transportation and brokerages, customer focus, information technology, and integration of facilities. This conference is for mobility managers, schedulers, personnel involved in the operation of multimodal transit systems, policymakers, and personnel involved with coordination of health and human services.
• International Rail Rodeo
  May 31-June 3, 2012
  Hyatt Regency Dallas - Dallas, TX
  The Rodeo showcases men and women who keep our rail systems moving, the rail rodeo tests operators’ and maintainers’ skills against those of their peer groups. Operators are measured on operating skills, including knowledge of safety regulations, train equipment, wayside rules, regulations, and procedures. Rail car maintainers are tested on electrical and mechanical knowledge, trouble shooting and diagnostic abilities, along with safety awareness and procedures.

June

• Rail Conference
  June 3-6, 2012
  Hyatt Regency Dallas - Dallas, TX
  This conference is for rail agency mid-level and top management, board members and policymakers, government agency staff, suppliers, consultants, and contractors. Workshops and technical sessions cover timely issues of widespread interest in operations, technology, safety, security, planning, finance, capital projects, and the technical aspects of providing all modes of rail service: urban, commuter, high-speed, and intercity. Features the industry’s premier product and services showcase to learn more about advances in railroad and rail transit markets.

• Risk Management Seminar
  June 10-13, 2012
  St. Petersburg, FL
  This seminar is for risk managers, claims/safety/security officers, policymakers, insurance brokers, and suppliers of products and services in the risk management industry. It includes sessions on a return to duty program, a review of the insurance market, workforce 2020: are you prepared, ADA/legal update, and domestic preparedness — how to build your community emergency response program, accident reconstruction and biomechanical issues in the transit industry, and a risk management round table.

• Public Transportation & Universities Conference
  June 16-19, 2012
  Ramada Plaza & Suites - Fargo, ND
  This conference, for university community transportation professionals, delves deep into the unique needs of university communities and the population they serve. From universal access to land use development — this is a can’t miss conference.

July

• UIC World Congress on High Speed Rail
  July 10-13, 2012
  Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Philadelphia, PA
  The world’s eminent gathering on high-speed rail with attendees from across the globe gathering to exchange views on the development and achievements of high-speed rail worldwide. The event will bring together both the public and private sectors to provide insight and best practices for implementing high-speed rail projects at every stage – from planning, financing, and construction, to operations and management. Additionally, the conference will also feature a trade exhibit.

• Transit Board Members Seminar & Board Support Employee Development Workshop
  July 21-24, 2012
  Sheraton Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
  This event is for board members and commissioners of transit systems and clerks of the board. Professional development sessions focus on public transportation board members’ policy and governance roles as well as the support functions. Educational sessions are offered in areas such as the board’s fiduciary responsibility, planning, succession and work with the chief executive, ethics, legislative advocacy, community partnerships, open records, and more. 

• Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop
  July 30-August 1, 2012
  Marriott Baltimore Waterfront - Baltimore, MD
  This workshop is for schedulers, planners, and personnel involved in the operation of all transit systems. Sessions will provide planners and schedulers with the latest in scheduling, facilities planning, technological advances, designing routes, and bus rapid transit. Technical tours of the Baltimore area will offer insight into connecting the various modes of transportation used throughout the city.

August

• Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop
  August 5-8, 2012
  Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - Philadelphia, PA
  Features cutting-edge speakers and breakout groups presenting environmental/energy efficient, economically sound, and socially responsible developments and practices to advance public transportation’s role in sustainability. The workshop is for general managers and senior staff likely to implement sustainability in transit agencies, suppliers, consultants, and other supportive public transportation’s role in sustainability.
• State Public Transportation Partnership Conference
  August 14-16, 2012
  Sax Chicago - Chicago, IL
  Emphasizes best practices and programs of state associations and state DOTs as well as federal, state and local partnerships for public transportation. The conference is for state transit association leaders, state department of transportation officials, transit system representatives, state legislators, and business leaders interested in the role states play in supporting and promoting public transportation.
• ITS Best Practices Workshop
  August 27-28, 2012
  Hilton Back Bay - Boston, MA
  The second of two ITS Best Practices Workshops this year will further develop the themes of wireless connectivity with the traveling public. This workshop is for all Intelligent Transportation Systems practitioners, agencies, manufacturers, researchers, integrators, and consumers of wireless communication for transportation applications. See April for information about the first ITS Best Practices Workshop.

September

• Annual Meeting
  September 30-October 3, 2012
  Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Washington State Convention & Trade Center - Seattle, WA
  The industry’s premier event, includes general sessions and forums focused on current issues facing public transportation and features first-rate professional speakers. Attendees will include transit personnel, policymakers, board members, government agencies, manufactures, suppliers, and consultants.

November

• 12th National Light Rail Conference
  Sustaining the Metropolis: LRT & Streetcars for Super Cities
  November 11-13, 2012
  The Grand America Hotel - Salt Lake City, UT
  This conference is for all light rail and streetcar system personnel, including supervisory and management, system planners, board members, policymakers, government agencies, suppliers, consultants, and contractors. Sessions showcase the positive results being experienced in metropolitan areas that have embraced light rail and streetcar and explore new ways to plan, design, construct, maintain, and operate light rail and streetcar systems.