Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speaker: Bob Riebe

Description: This session presents advanced applications of C-V2X technology, highlighting innovative solutions such as school bus priority, transit signal optimization, and emergency vehicle preemption strategies.

Location: Carolina Ballroom

Speakers: Jason Corbally & Derek Graham

Description: School bus transportation has evolved significantly, with parents now expecting real-time communication and accurate updates. While parent apps have been in use for over a decade, many have struggled to provide reliable information to the true stakeholders—leading to frustration and mistrust. Inaccurate data can be more harmful than no data at all. It’s time to shift towards a connected school district and transportation department, where all stakeholders—transportation staff, bus drivers, school administrators, secretaries, and parents—collaborate to ensure precise, real-time updates. Join us to discover a comprehensive, fully integrated solution that enhances safety, efficiency, and trust in school transportation.

Empowering Schools Across the US

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Take Action Now: How First Light’s Illuminated Solutions Are Saving Lives

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speakers: Stephen Climer & Graham Matthews

Description: The need for safer school buses has never been more urgent. Act now to prevent stop-arm violations and protect students on the road. First Light’s Illuminated School Bus Sign and Fully Illuminated Stop Arm are setting a new standard in school bus safety. Don’t let another day pass without protecting your students.

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Keynote: Scott Welle

Description: Today’s competition is brutal and the pressure to perform can be suffocating. What are you doing to stay ahead and keep from burning out?

Join Scott Welle, #1 Best Selling Author and Founder of Outperform The Norm, as he shares the peak performance strategies used by high achievers and elite performers to take your “game” to the next level:

• Challenge limiting beliefs about your performance standards that may be holding you back
• Build a peak performance routine by utilizing the “Vital 4%”
• Raise your influence & impact by focusing less on what you need to DO vs. who you need to BE
• Boost positivity and happiness by up to 30%
• Adapt & thrive through pressure, change, crisis and unpredictability

This dynamic, high-energy keynote will help you raise your personal standard of excellence and give you an effortless action plan to put into place immediately.

Every day in K-12 transportation is an adventure!

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Speakers: Weston Bartlett, Crystal Duchane, & Jason Riley

Description: Join us as the Tyler team runs the fast break on a difficult ‘Day-In-The-Life’ of a transportation professional.  This interactive presentation will showcase how challenging situations become as routine as a layup for everyone involved in school transportation. From teachers to mechanics, students, guardians, drivers, and more, Tyler’s integrated solutions can address everyday issues in real-time and with ease, keeping your team on top of their game. 

Revolutionizing Student Transportation: How AI is Driving Efficiency and Addressing Budget Challenges for School Districts

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Speakers: Dustin Kress & Chris Wickman

Description: What would your district look like if you were never short of a driver? What would that mean for your students? How about your transportation team?

This session will explore the challenges districts and transportation teams face, such as bus driver shortages, changes in bell times, and budget cuts — while also being charged with improving operational efficiency to get more students to school safely and on time.

We are excited to present a product demonstration highlighting HopSkipDrive’s revolutionary new technology offering for student transportation planning — RouteWise AI™.

Attend this session to explore the technology first-hand and learn how RouteWise AI helps districts with:

• Routing vs. Optimization: Learn about the science behind RouteWise AI’s optimization engine and how that differs from standard time and distance routing solutions
• Bus Driver Shortages: Identify ways RouteWise AI’s optimization impacts individual routes and how that can help districts significantly reduce their total route package. One district was able to address their bus driver shortage and increase pay for their drivers.
• Changing Bell Times: Understand how RouteWise AI models shifting school schedules and transportation policies, positioning Transportation teams with data to advocate for operational efficiencies
• Cost Savings: Learn about the impact route optimization has on the long-term financial health of a department, both operating costs and capital investments.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see how HopSkipDrive’s RouteWise AI can partner with you to revolutionize student transportation for your district. We look forward to seeing you there!

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Description: Industry experts and school transportation professionals recently come together to share their insights and experiences in the field of alternative green energy.

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Facilitator: Stephen Whaley

Panelist: John Jessup, Dennis Ryan, & Trey Studstill

Next-Gen School Bus Safety: Tech Innovations and Cloud Solutions for a Safer Ride

Location: Carolina Ballroom

Facilitator: Mike Hagan

Panelists: Chris Dutton, Chris Fox, & Julian Jimenez

Session Description: In this forward-thinking session, industry experts will explore the cutting-edge technologies transforming school transportation safety. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to implement and potentially fund an integrated view of bus safety and security with a roadmap to enhance bus safety, address the illegal passing epidemic, improve bus and driver visibility, leverage proactive notifications and enforcement strategies, and manage video evidence in the cloud for greater student safety insights.

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Facilitator: Jim Crowcroft

Panelists: Mike Bullman, Daoud Chaaya, Francisco “Paco” Lagunas, & Kelly Rivera

Description: Hear from a panel of experts, including a school bus fleet operator, an engine manufacturer, a school bus vehicle OEM, and a school bus dealer, as they discuss how traditionally fueled school buses fit into the future of school transportation.  Learn how alternative fuels like bio-diesel (renewable), gasoline, and propane can help operators meet future emissions requirements as our industry transitions toward electrification.

Description: Embrace the College Basketball Madness spirit with our basketball-themed dress code. Show off your team pride by wearing your favorite basketball jerseys, team colors, or sporty chic attire. Get ready for an evening of exciting networking opportunities, engaging trade show exhibits, and a slam dunk of fun!