Here, we share shots taken during the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) conference and on the trade show floor in Memphis, Tenn., as well as shots from around the host city. Photos by SBF Executive Editor Thomas McMahon and SBF Managing Editor Kelly Roher.
2012 NAPT Summit
Pupil transporters were honored during the annual NAPT awards banquet. Cathy Snow of Elk Grove (Calif.) Unified School District received the Heroism Award sponsored by Blue Bird Corp.
The Driver Training and Safety Award, sponsored by IC Bus, went to Columbus (Ohio) City Schools. Director of Transportation Steve Simmons accepted the award for the team.
Victoria Creech of Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Fla., received the Special Needs Transportation Award sponsored by Sure-Lok.
SBF Executive Editor Thomas McMahon (left) presented David Anderson, director of transportation and fleet at Adams 12 Five Star Schools in Thornton, Colo., with the magazine's 2012 Administrator of the Year award.
The headquarters for the local publication the Memphis Business Journal.
One presentation took a hard look at a tragic school bus accident. The family of Hunter Pitt, who was killed when his school bus ran over him, watches a safety video they worked on with Missouri organizations. On screen is the driver of the bus that ran over Hunter, Willie Leonberger.
Dr. Allan Beane of Bully Free Systems gave a joint presentation with Oregon's Chris Ellison on how to respond to bullying on the school bus.
At the trade show, Blue Bird unveiled its 2014 All American Type D school buses, pictured here. Company officials said that features include superior fuel efficiency, turning radius, driver visibility and paint warranty.
Pictured is Sun Studio, where such musicians as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded.
Kathleen Furneaux, executive director of the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute, spoke to attendees about ways that transportation managers can contribute to distracted driving by bus drivers.
Christopher Hart, vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, addressed recent school bus crashes that the agency is investigating.
Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, spoke to attendees about the actions her agency has taken to prevent crashes and fatalities involving large buses and trucks.
Alan Brunacini, former chief of the Phoenix Fire Department, gave a keynote presentation where he discussed his philosophy on leadership and how that translates to best serving customers. Brunacini said that how a boss treats his or her employees will get delivered to the customer, so if the boss wants his or her team to add value, the boss must also add value.
From left: Sunil Mansukhani of The Raben Group, Pete Meslin of Newport-Mesa (Calif.) Unified School District, attorney Peggy Burns of Education Compliance Group, and Bret Brooks of Gray Ram Tactical LLC discussed dealing with student conduct on the school bus.
This was one of two race trucks at the NAPT trade show donated by Empire Racing LLC to help Warriors in the Workplace make its debut and inform the pupil transportation community about its employment initiative for U.S. veterans.
The trade show featured exhibits from more than 120 manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.