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It’s time, once again, for public transportation industry professionals to take advantage of the many informational sessions and networking opportunities planned for APTA’s 2010 Annual Meeting, to be held this year in San Antonio, Oct. 3-6.  With the understanding that these are challenging times for transit, APTA has designed a varied program to help all types of transit professionals cope with today’s ever-changing business environment.

APTA committees will meet during the weekend of Oct. 2-3, including the election of officers on Sunday morning, Oct. 3. The festivities kick off that evening with the Welcome Reception and Products & Services Showcase, which will provide an opportunity for attendees to mix and mingle while examining what’s new and innovative in the transit field.

Peter M. Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will address the Oct. 4 Opening General Session, joining representatives from APTA, San Antonio, and VIA Metropolitan Transit, host system for the Annual Meeting.

A General Forum, “Crystal Ball vs. Harsh Reality: The Future of Financing Public Transportation,” will follow the opening session. This program will present industry experts who will discuss proposed funding changes for transit agencies and suppliers, as well as other issues related to establishing a dedicated funding source for public transportation. The Products & Services Showcase will reopen during the lunch hour.

The rest of Monday will be devoted to concurrent educational sessions on critical and timely topics including safety regulations, accessibility, and high-speed rail. Other sessions will include presentation of the AdWheel Awards for the best in transit marketing efforts; recognition of this year’s American Public Transportation Foundation scholarship winners; and the Host Forum, which will focus on VIA’s Long Range Comprehensive Transportation Plan for 2035. This plan, once completed, will guide the agency in developing an integrated regional system of high-capacity multimodal transit corridors.

New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell will keynote the Tuesday, Oct. 5, General Session, sponsored by the APTA Business Members. Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers: The Story of Success, has earned recognition for interpreting new ideas in the social sciences and making them understandable, practical, and valuable to business and general audiences alike.

APTA will honor “the best of the best” at the Tuesday Awards Luncheon, this year recognizing the Outstanding Public Transportation Manager, Board Member, and Business Member; Local Distinguished Service Award; and Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Awards in three size categories.

The day’s schedule also features more sets of educational sessions—covering such issues as marketing and communications, technology, workforce development, and best practices for small operators—and an afternoon technical tour of VIA’s Maintenance Facility. VIA is the largest U.S. transit agency to use a single facility for all of its vehicle maintenance needs. The 31-acre maintenance site, which dates back to 1948, is currently being expanded and refurbished.

For the 15th year, APTA will join WTS to present a speaker breakfast on Wednesday morning, Oct. 6. The keynote speaker for this annual event will provide attendees with the innovative strategies for addressing challenges and opportunities within our industry, as well as daily life.

Educational sessions will continue through the morning on such subjects as sustainability and state of good repair, and will include an update on APTA’s standards efforts. The Annual Meeting will conclude with a General Session examining the 2010 General Election and its likely impact on public transportation.

Additional educational opportunities are on the schedule for Wednesday afternoon following the Closing General Session. APTA will present a customer service training session geared toward preparing the industry for the future and improving the knowledge, professional skills, and business practices of individuals and organizations. Also planned are the FTA New Starts/Small Starts Workshop and a summit on “Forging Transit-Bicycle Partnerships.”

To learn more about the 2010 Annual Meeting, including the conference program and registration, travel discount, and hotel information, click here.

The Grand Hyatt San Antonio, headquarters hotel for the 2010 APTA Annuel Meeting.

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