Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speakers: Tony Corpin & Ryan Gray

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speaker: Featuring Charles Kriete, Zonar President & CEO

Description: Your job is tougher than ever—shrinking budgets, driver shortages and growing expectations—but you’re still expected to figure it all out. You don’t have to do it alone. Join Zonar for an eye-opening session that recognizes your hard work and explores how today’s smartest transportation leaders are staying ahead by working smarter, not harder. We’ll break down the real role of AI (and when actual intelligence matters more), tackle complex challenges like driver shortages and EV transitions and show how the right partnerships and tools can help you do more with less—without compromising safety or service. Walk away prepared to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

Mitigating Risk on the Road: Proactive Fleet & Student Safety Management

Location: Carolina Ballroom

Speakers: Bryant Maxey, Erick Cole, & Matt Dickey

Description: School transportation directors juggle many responsibilities, but two of the biggest risks you manage daily are assets and people. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how predictive maintenance helps prevent costly vehicle breakdowns and how advanced camera solutions enhance student and driver safety. Join Zonar for an engaging discussion on proactive strategies to reduce risk, improve operational efficiency and create a safer transportation environment. And most importantly, without adding extra work to your plate.

Best Practices with Student Ridership

Speaker: Terrell Doolen

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Description: Parents and communities are expecting more and more from transportation departments every year. Cameras, GPS, parent apps, increased communication, decreased headaches – these are all adding complexities to student transportation. Tracking student ridership is quickly becoming not a “nice to have” but a must have. The good news is that this is very doable and the data collected is actually valuable to you and your operation. This session will review why tracking ridership is so important, how to collect ridership data and what to do with it once you have it. Come see Transfinder’s All-In-One solution and how collecting ridership data will help you streamline your operation and improve safety.

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: Carolina Ballroom

Speaker: Jim Ellis

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Speakers: Alex Robinson & Susan Shutrump

Description: Are you new to transporting students with disabilities? Join STN’s tenured staff in this interactive discussion of the basic safety tenets surrounding this exciting and challenging new endeavor!

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speaker: Joe Annotti

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Description: This session explores the power of unifying all aspects of student transportation—from planned routes and real-time GPS tracking to driver directions, parent notifications, and vehicle maintenance—within a single, integrated solution.

Location: Carolina Ballroom

AI-Powered Safety: A Hands-On Experience with First Alt & Samsara

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Location: Carolina Ballroom

Facilitator: Derek Graham

Panelists: Shay Coates, Richard Fischer, & Laura Hill

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Speaker: Denny Coughlin

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Location: Carolina Ballroom

Facilitator: Greg Jackson & Robert Jacobus

Panelist: Dana Rosen, Jim Ellis & Andrew Grasty

Location: Fairway Ballroom

Speakers: Nicole Portee & Alex Robinson

Location: Kannapolis Ballroom

Speaker: Ewan Pritchard

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Description: Taking place at the famous Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Bus Technology Summit/Green Bus Summit Technology Demonstration & Green Bus Ride & Drive Experience is a special outdoor event showcasing the latest advancements in green school buses and transportation solutions. Attendees are treated to a hands-on experience with a wide range of transportation technology demonstrations and green buses, including electric, propane, and other alternative fuel vehicles. The event offers a unique opportunity for school transportation professionals to ride the latest models, learn about their features, and discuss the future of sustainable transportation in the school bus industry. With a focus on environmental sustainability and efficiency, the Green Bus Summit provided valuable insights into the benefits of transitioning to cleaner, greener transportation options.

Dinner & Drinks Served