The recent National School Transportation (NSTA) Annual Meeting and Convention (AMC) in Denver brought the student transportation community together for four days of connection, conversation, and forward-looking pupil transportation dialogue. Held July 19-22 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown, the event gave attendees an opportunity to step away from daily operations and focus on the people, partnerships, policy issues, and innovations shaping the future of school transportation.

The convention opened with a warm welcome in the Mile High City, as attendees gathered at the hotel’s rooftop pool area for an early evening reception. Against the backdrop of downtown Denver, NSTA members and industry partners reconnected, as our group welcomed first-time attendees and set the tone for a week centered on collaboration. The night proved to be more than just a reception; it was a reminder of the important relationships that continue to drive NSTA’s work forward.

That spirit carried into Monday’s programming, which opened with a legal update by NSTA counsel, and later that morning I provided an official welcome to the group before handing the reins over.

The keynote session, “Precious Cargo, Proven AI,” presented by NSTA vendor partner, Motive, examined how artificial intelligence continues to influence student transportation by supporting safer, more efficient, and more responsive operations. The discussion reflected a broader theme heard throughout the convention reinforced by NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn in the fireside chat: technology is advancing quickly, but people remain at the center of every successful school transportation operation.

Attendees also explored issues that are both timely and practical for contractors and industry partners. The “Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit: Launch Part V” session focused on driver engagement and support, while a business development committee panel examined how contractors can do more with less by strengthening partnerships with service providers.

The vendor partner/OEM speed networking also gave members a direct opportunity to exchange ideas and build industry connections.

The convention also created space for association business and industry storytelling. The membership meeting luncheon gave members an opportunity to gather for association updates, and two live recordings of “NSTA: The Bus Stop with Curt Macysyn” brought a conversational energy to the end of the day, highlighting innovation, advocacy, and emerging trends across the school transportation landscape, as on Monday and Tuesday, the podcasts were taped in front of a live audience.

Tuesday’s sessions continued the conference momentum with a federal partner update featuring Michelle Atwell from NHTSA, followed by the OEM panel. Moderated by NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn, the panel featured leaders from Blue Bird, IC Bus, RIDE, and Thomas Built Buses offering perspective on technology, market trends, and the evolving equipment needs of student transportation operators.

Later, our Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Technology Committee hosted an informative panel session called “Turbulence in the Air – Navigating the Rocky Insurance Market,” which I moderated. The session covered one of the industry’s most pressing challenges that we hear from bus operators nationwide: how do we address rising insurance costs?

Policy and advocacy were central to the final day of programming during the “Report from the Field.” The session brought perspectives from industry partners including NASDPTS, NAPT, and WRI. More importantly, the session uncovered the 2026 illegal passing survey data produced by NASDPTS.

Emboldening the Mile High City theme, Tuesday’s luncheon featured Rebecca Pettit, chief counsel of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Pettit’s remarks placed a continued emphasis on strengthening the partnerships between the student transportation industry and federal partners. Finally, during the Prime Policy Report, NSTA Lobbyist Becky Weber led attendees through a Virtual Fly-In supporting additional co-sponsors for the Brake For Kids Act in the Senate (S. 2812), giving participants a hands-on opportunity to directly advocate for student safety.

We encourage everyone involved in student transportation to carry forward conversations from your designated meeting places by staying engaged with industry advocacy, technology, development, and operational issues. These areas are continually evolving, and everyone should endeavor to stay on top of the issues that matter to your operation.

If you have questions about the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting and Convention (AMC) or would like to share feedback from your personal journey, please feel free to contact me at president@yellowbuses.org.

Remember, with NSTA, you never travel alone.