The Public Transit & Technology Exchange (PTTX) and School Bus Fleet ConneX (SBFX) convened in Scottsdale, Arizona, this year from Sept. 22-24, 2025, as separate but co-located events, offering attendees the benefits of focused programming alongside expanded opportunities for cross-industry learning, networking, and taking part in one-on-one speed dating-style meetings between buyers and sellers. 

Sponsored by METRO and its sister publication, School Bus Fleet, the event was held in the beautiful Scottsdale Resort and Spa. Each conference maintained its own agenda tailored to public transit or school transportation professionals. The shared venue created a unique environment that allowed many suppliers to meet with end-users across multiple bus transportation industries.

A Keynote on Leadership

Both events came together for a powerful keynote by Commander Kirk Lippold, former U.S. Navy commanding officer of the USS Cole. 

Lippold, recognized for his leadership during the 2000 terrorist attack on the Navy destroyer, shared lessons from his personal experience and his “Pillars of Leadership” framework. 

His address on crisis management, organizational integrity, and leading through uncertainty resonated deeply with audiences across both sectors, offering timely insights for leaders navigating today’s evolving mobility landscape.

“You have to remember, invest in leadership,” he advised attendees. “First and foremost is the investment you choose to make in yourself. You will be that natural leader because you develop that arc to be able to do it. These are the key tenants that I found truly paid dividends during those defining moments.”

Key takeaways of Commander Lippold’s talk included establishing leadership, providing a clear vision of what’s expected both day-to-day and in the event of a crisis, and having the flexibility to adapt plans during execution by building trust throughout your entire organization. 

After the keynote, both conference’s attendees gathered downstairs in the courtyard for Cigars & Cordials over relaxing jazz music to wind down, meet Commander Lippold, and mingle with each other. 

PTTX Focuses on Innovation, Success, and More

In addition to group and one-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers, PTTX also featured several learning sessions, including three hosted by Ehren Bingaman, managing principal of TransPro Consulting.

Bingaman’s interactive sessions discussed reshaping the narrative of success away from metrics like ridership and on-time performance by focusing instead on community value and customer satisfaction. 

Special guests participating in Bingaman’s talks included Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) President/CEO Monica Téllez-Fowler, who discussed her journey in the public transit industry and how COTA is achieving success by anticipating and addressing expected population growth in the region.

In separate sessions, Bingaman was also joined by Jameson Auten, CEO of Eugene, Oregon’s Lane Transit District, and Heather Dalmolin, GM/CEO at Flagstaff, Arizona’s Mountain Line. 

Additional sessions included The Bus Coalition’s Jayson White, who talked about his group, as well as the state of current and future federal funding opportunities for transit agencies around the nation, and a lively discussion on heavy-duty transit bus manufacturing with Dan Trujillo, VP, sales, at ENC, and Mark Hollenbeck, business development manager for Complete Coach Works. 

During the event, METRO also recognized its 2025 Innovative Solutions Award winners, who were honored in categories including paratransit, mobility, technology, and more. Many suppliers and their end-users were present to formally accept their awards. 

METRO also announced the launch of its new award to honor long-time METRO and SBF Publisher Frank Di Giacomo. 

Dubbed the Frank Di Giacomo Leadership Award, the award will recognize an individual whose vision, dedication, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the public transit industry. Honorees will embody the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and service that Di Giacomo championed throughout his career, elevating the role of buses as essential connectors in communities across North America.

Look for more information soon.

SBFX Celebrates Industry Excellence, Efficiency & Connections

Over on SBFX’s side, when attendees weren’t in supplier host meetings or one-on-ones, they gathered to celebrate each other, discuss hot trends and topics, and learn and grow together. 

Molly McGee Hewitt, executive director and CEO of NAPT, encouraged attendees to value their own expertise and resilience. “You are all more than enough,” she said, reminding that transportation teams need to toot their own horn.

Transportation Director Chris McLeod of Henry County Schools took the stage to share how cultivating accountability can improve team retention and performance. In his district, setting clear expectations and frequent check-ins improved on-time performance by 10% and reclaimed valuable staff hours.

Panels and peer discussions brought additional perspectives. Members of SBF’s editorial advisory board joined Trailblazer Latisha McIntyre Johnson to talk candidly about driver shortages, workplace culture, and student behavior. One Ohio director in the audience explained how cutting driver training time from 12 months to six weeks — and something as simple as buying drivers warm jackets — boosted morale. As Alex Spann noted, “Small acts like that show drivers are being heard, which is the most important part.”

SBFX 2025 also served as the stage for School Bus Fleet’s annual awards. We honored winners across several categories, including Contractor of the Year Michael Brown, Administrator of the Year Kimberly Jones, Trailblazers, and Photo of the Year. The most poignant moment came when Jackie Wilkerson Brown of Dean Transportation was named the first-ever School Bus Driver Hero Award recipient. With humor and tears, she expressed her gratitude and love for the industry as colleagues and sponsor AngelTrax stood proudly by her side.

See You Again Soon

Whether attendees represented students being transported to or from school, or the general public navigating their city, both groups had a great time sharing this special experience together. 

From all of us at METRO, School Bus Fleet, and Bobit Business Media, we would like to thank all our attendees and sponsors for making this event possible. We’re truly grateful for your commitment to professional development and openness to connecting with your peers and solutions providers. 

Stay tuned for details about future events!