School bus industry members across North America will convene next week for two major — and infrequent — events.

The National Congress on School Transportation, held every five years, will return to Warrensburg, Mo., from May 16-19. Delegates will deliberate and adopt proposed updates to the 2005 edition of the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures manual.

For more information, go to www.ncstonline.org.

Up north in Ottawa, the every-two-years Canadian Pupil Transportation Conference (CPTC) will also run May 16-19. The event will feature educational workshops, breakout sessions and golf tournaments, along with networking opportunities and best practices to enhance pupil transportation operations.

In related news, Blue Bird recently announced that it will be participating in the CPTC. On display at the trade show will be a Propane-Powered Vision — complete with redesigned cockpit — an All American equipped with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology, and three Micro Bird by Girardin small buses.

Blue Bird will also have dealers from across Canada and representatives from Cummins to answer questions.

For more information on the Canadian conference, go to www.cptc2010.ca.