Location: Capri Ballroom

Description: This dignified award, in its 18th year, recognizes a school transportation professional who exhibits exemplary service on behalf of the nation’s school children, especially those with disabilities. Named after the late Chicago Public Schools transportation director and NAPT board member.

Location: Naples 6 & 7

Speakers: Gregory D. Baze & Alex Borror

Description: The student transportation industry faces numerous challenges, including fleet management, safety, and funding. Learn how solutions like advanced remote diagnostics, online parts ordering, and purchasing tools can help improve uptime, reduce costs, and ensure a seamless transportation experience for students.

Location: Naples 1 & 2

Speaker: Jason Riley

Description: Join us as the Tyler team works their magic on a difficult ‘Day-In-The-Life’ of a transportation professional.  This interactive presentation will showcase how challenging situations are no match for a school transportation team using Tyler’s transportation software. From teachers to mechanics, students, guardians, drivers, and more, Tyler’s integrated solutions can address everyday issues in real-time and with ease. 

Creating a Safety Umbrella: Tackling Illegal School Bus Passing with Technology

Location: Naples 3 & 4

Moderator: Malinda Sandhu,

Panelists: Chris Fox & Julian Jimenez

Description: Every day, over 95,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses in the U.S., endangering the lives of students. Safe Fleet’s Illegal Passing Suite addresses this crisis with a comprehensive, three-pronged approach: enhancing visibility, proactively warning students, and enforcing compliance. This panel explores how integrated technologies—such as illuminated stop arms, advanced student & driver alerts, AI-powered stop arm  violation enforcement, and evidence management systems—are transforming school bus safety. Join us as we discuss the real-world impact of these innovations, the challenges of implementation, and the future of student transportation safety.

Location: Naples 1 & 2

Speakers: Tim Purvis

Description: Does your district use GPS devices on your buses? Are you wondering about how to show benefits for the many new devices that are being added on buses every day? Are you overwhelmed with all of the data and use of different systems? If so, this is the session you need to attend. It will showcase how you can improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of your operation, while also reducing your costs by effectively using these technologies.

Location: Naples 6 & 7

Moderator: Bobby Stafford

Panelists: Anthony Ashley & Craig Beaver 

Description: A conversation on utility engagement for deploying electric school buses. Learn about adoption strategies, infrastructure planning, and project timelines while avoiding common pitfalls. Speakers will include school district transportation managers as well as a representative from WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative.

Location: Naples 3 & 4

Speakers: Alex Robinson & Anthony Shields

Description: Are you new to transporting students with disabilities? Join two expert industry leaders in this interactive discussion of the basic safety tenets surrounding this exciting and challenging new endeavor. The discussion will center on most important operational and mobility considerations.

Location: Capri Ballroom

Description: Now in its third year, the Top Transportation Teams Award Program the competition is tougher, with an increase in both the number of participating districts and contractors and an increase in participation levels from the nominees. The Top Transportation Teams program elevates the best transportation departments in North America based on anonymous surveys taken by team members. During this Lunch & Learn, you’ll hear what it takes to be a Top Transportation Team, what are the do’s and the don’ts. For those who stay to the end of the presentation will have an opportunity to receive a surprise gift. For more info go to https://toptransportationteams.com/

Lunch is provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Location: Naples 1 & 2

Speaker: Richard Geck

Description: Samsara provides schools real-time data from sensors, cameras, and integrations for smarter, safer and more efficient transportation and school security for their students. In this session, you will learn how K12 schools are using Samsara to instantly account for students & ensure their safety, respond to and resolve incidents faster, and leverage data to improve
operational efficiency.

Location: Naples 3 & 4

Speaker: Ron Johnson

Description: Our session will include a presentation introducing the School-Radio PoC (Push-Talk-Talk over Cellular) system to the attendees. We will cover the physical devices themselves as well as overall basic system features. A brief presentation of our dispatch console software will happen showcasing how you can leverage the School-Radio system for both normal day-to-day operations as well as in emergency situations. Ron Johnson, from the Indian Prairie School District #204, will also be in attendance to discuss how our solution has helped him and his school district, and what his future plans are for additional implementation. 

Location: 6 & 7

Speaker: Steve Randazzo

Description: Every state prohibits drivers from illegally passing a stopped school bus—but it still happens millions of times each year. According to NASDPTS, more than 45 million vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses annually, putting students at risk. In this breakout session, Steve Randazzo, Chief Growth Officer at BusPatrol, will share how school districts across the country are using AI-powered stop-arm enforcement technology to modernize their fleets, change driver behavior, and make roads safer for students. You’ll also hear directly from a district leader about their experience implementing this technology—how they educated drivers, rolled out the program step-by-step, and the real impact it’s had on student safety.

Location: Naples 1 & 2

Moderator: Tony Corpin

Panelists: Miles Cole, Gaurav Sharda, Albert Samora, & Teresa Fleming

Description: Student transportation technology needs continue to evolve at the same time that AI enhancements increase the possibilities of realizing greater safety and operational efficiency. Two school districts, a transportation contractor and a technology industry representative discuss how the promise of AI is helping meet current needs while planning for those in the future. \The panel will share perspectives and advice on how technology projects are simplifying operations, providing transparency, and resulting in change management, as well as the role of AI enhanced software and the bridge to machine learning.

Location: Naples 3 & 4

Speaker: Ronna Weber

Description: The National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP) recommend best practices for all things related to using school buses to get students to and from school and related events. With an update coming later this year from the recent 17th National Congress on School Transportation, hear the highlights from the Ronna Weber, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation, which organizes the event. New for NSTSP is the first non-school-bus section on alternative transportation. Ronna will touch on this and other developments, and she will provide updates on what the industry can next expect in terms of a publishing date for the updated NSTSP manual and the 18th NCST.

Location: Naples 6 & 7

Moderator: Chris Ellison

Panelists: Matthew Belasco, & Craig Beaver

Description: School districts in California and Oregon discuss their use of renewable diesel and renewable propane to reduce emissions for their communities. But the fuels are making further impacts. They both have higher upfront costs compared to traditional petroleum-based diesel but provide cost savings based on incentives from the states’ Low Carbon Fuel Standard as well as reduced operational and maintenance needs. Learn additional issues with renewable fuels, including how your operation could obtain them even if you don’t live on the West Coast.

Location: Naples 6 & 7

Location: Naples 3 & 4

Speakers: Doug Campbell, Director of Sales, Julian Fosty, Regional Account Executive, & Robert Dodd, Regional Account Executive

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.

  What You’ll Learn:

• The Critical Impact of Illumination on School Bus Safety: See how ultra-bright illumination makes school buses visible from over 1,000 feet, allowing motorist to recognize the school bus and protect students.

• Proven Results in Reducing Illegal Passings: See how our 15-month study, where 14 out of 15 schools experienced a reduction in violations—up to 88% in low-light conditions.

• Affordable Safety Upgrades: Act now and learn how districts can significantly reduce stop-arm violations for less than 1% of the cost of a new bus.

• Understanding the Differences and Benefits: Discover how First Light’s Fully Illuminated Stop Arm provides maximum visibility in low-light conditions. See firsthand how our solutions keep students safe, helping you make an informed safety decision for your district.

Don’t wait! Explore how First Light’s safety solutions are changing the game in school bus safety. Because every second counts when it comes to keeping kids safe, join us to learn how easy it is to implement First Light’s life-saving solutions in your district.

Location: Naples 1 & 2

Speakers: John Hanlon & Peter Valadez

Description: Have you ever wished your routing software could talk back with real-time answers? That future is here!

Say goodbye to outdated routing software—welcome to a new era. Join this hands-on session and experience Alphie—the smart, simple, and secure AI assistant designed to make your life easier. Plus, explore AlphaRoute’s other paradigm-shifting innovations in this interactive demo—where you can win over $200 in prizes! 

See AlphaRoute in action:

• Real-time feasibility checks – Instantly assess time, cost, and compliance—before you hit save.
• Unlimited mapping flexibility – Go beyond countywide maps. Leverage unlimited mapping for scenarios like McKinney-Vento routes with ease.
• Effortless reporting tools – Generate robust reports on route performance, student ridership, Medicaid reimbursement and much more with just a few clicks.
• Flexible, modular solutions – Integrate seamlessly with your current systems or use as a complete one-stop-shop replacement.
• Seamless systemwide integration – Apply changes instantly across your operation, connecting effortlessly with your SIS, GPS provider, and more.

Experience AlphaRoute. Reliable. Intuitive. Routing like never before.

Location: Tuscany Ballroom

Location: Tuscany Ballroom

Description: Enjoy an evening of awe, wonder, fun and valuable networking connections. This special event blends business with enchantment, providing the perfect atmosphere to unwind, network, and foster meaningful relationships with colleagues, partners, and new contacts.

This dynamic event is your gateway to discovering cutting-edge products, services, and solutions that will take your transportation operations to the next level. Connect with top vendors, explore new technologies, and get hands-on with the latest in transportation solutions.