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Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville

Management•Photos 19•October 12, 2026

The 49^th National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Annual Conference and Trade Show (ACTS) kicked off in Louisville, Kentucky, from October 3-7, bringing together hundreds of school transportation pros in Derby City for networking, learning, and certification opportunities. Hot topics of conversation this year spanned from diesel prices to the EV shift, IEPs and student behavior.

Dig into the photo captions that follow to read more!

Save the date for next year: NAPT ACTS’ 50^th event takes place October 7-10 in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Topics:NAPT Annual Conference Management

A drummer performs onstage during a NAPT ACTS 2026 conference presentation as attendees watch from the audience. — Famous drummer Kenny Aronoff provided this year’s keynote address. He shared his tales of rockstardom, celebrity encounters, and what he's learned along the way, including the value of finding purpose and passion in your work and functioning within a team. “When you love what you do, you're unstoppable, you're undeniable,” he said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A drummer performs onstage during a NAPT ACTS 2026 conference presentation as attendees watch from the audience. — Famous drummer Kenny Aronoff provided this year’s keynote address. He shared his tales of rockstardom, celebrity encounters, and what he's learned along the way, including the value of finding purpose and passion in your work and functioning within a team. “When you love what you do, you're unstoppable, you're undeniable,” he said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Collage of six award presentation photos from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, featuring school transportation industry honorees posing with plaques and trophies. — Six individuals were honored with 2026 NAPT awards. Top row (L to R): Melissa Garton accepting the Heroism Award for Jeff Hall, posthumously; Dennis Murphy accepting School Bus Driver Training & Safety award; and Pamela Kelley accepting the Special Needs Transportation Award. Bottom row (L to R): Keith Henry accepting the Hall of Fame induction; Susan Shutrump accepting the Distinguished Service Award, and Angela Renz accepting the Continuing Education Award.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Collage of six award presentation photos from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, featuring school transportation industry honorees posing with plaques and trophies. — Six individuals were honored with 2026 NAPT awards. Top row (L to R): Melissa Garton accepting the Heroism Award for Jeff Hall, posthumously; Dennis Murphy accepting School Bus Driver Training & Safety award; and Pamela Kelley accepting the Special Needs Transportation Award. Bottom row (L to R): Keith Henry accepting the Hall of Fame induction; Susan Shutrump accepting the Distinguished Service Award, and Angela Renz accepting the Continuing Education Award.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses attendees from the NAPT ACTS 2026 podium as a screen beside the stage displays the name of Hall of Fame honoree Keith Henry, CDPT. — Keith Henry, executive director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, was inducted into NAPT’s Hall of Fame at the conference. Here, he addresses the crowd.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses attendees from the NAPT ACTS 2026 podium as a screen beside the stage displays the name of Hall of Fame honoree Keith Henry, CDPT. — Keith Henry, executive director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, was inducted into NAPT’s Hall of Fame at the conference. Here, he addresses the crowd.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Rebecca Pettit addresses attendees from the podium during a federal safety update session at NAPT ACTS 2026, with a panel of participants seated behind her. — FMCSA’s chief counsel Rebecca Pettit dropped in to share a federal update, covering the agency’s push to restore integrity to the CDL process for both applicants and test sites. “It takes additional work to get that CDL with that passenger and that school bus endorsement,” she said, “so we want them to be proud of it… It's the credential on which the foundation of everything is built.” She also assured the end of ELDT self-certification. So far as of the conference, Pettit said the agency has removed 10,000 training locations and is reviewing 1,000 others. “We want all legitimate training providers to succeed,” she said.
Finally, call to action: “Clarity matters for all of our organizations and agencies,” she said. “You and districts and contractors should not have to guess when the federal requirements apply and when they do not. So, what we really encourage is to reach out to your FMCSA field offices and the compliance resources when questions arise.”
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Rebecca Pettit addresses attendees from the podium during a federal safety update session at NAPT ACTS 2026, with a panel of participants seated behind her. — FMCSA’s chief counsel Rebecca Pettit dropped in to share a federal update, covering the agency’s push to restore integrity to the CDL process for both applicants and test sites. “It takes additional work to get that CDL with that passenger and that school bus endorsement,” she said, “so we want them to be proud of it… It's the credential on which the foundation of everything is built.” She also assured the end of ELDT self-certification. So far as of the conference, Pettit said the agency has removed 10,000 training locations and is reviewing 1,000 others. “We want all legitimate training providers to succeed,” she said.
Finally, call to action: “Clarity matters for all of our organizations and agencies,” she said. “You and districts and contractors should not have to guess when the federal requirements apply and when they do not. So, what we really encourage is to reach out to your FMCSA field offices and the compliance resources when questions arise.”
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NAPT leaders and members gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at ACTS 2026 in Louisville, posing behind a red ribbon with a large bow. — The current NAPT board and region directors get ready to cut the ribbon to open the trade show to NAPT ACTS 2026.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NAPT leaders and members gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at ACTS 2026 in Louisville, posing behind a red ribbon with a large bow. — The current NAPT board and region directors get ready to cut the ribbon to open the trade show to NAPT ACTS 2026.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

An AMF-Bruns of America representative demonstrates wheelchair securement equipment to attendees at the company's NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show booth. — AMF Bruns of America’s Maritza Valentin walks attendees through the company’s wheelchair securement system. They also announced product enhancements to its smart fitting anchorages.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

An AMF-Bruns of America representative demonstrates wheelchair securement equipment to attendees at the company's NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show booth. — AMF Bruns of America’s Maritza Valentin walks attendees through the company’s wheelchair securement system. They also announced product enhancements to its smart fitting anchorages.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Collins Bus representative Libby Kimmel reviews a vehicle information sheet with an attendee at NAPT ACTS 2026, with school buses and other exhibitors visible behind them. — Libby Kimmel from Collins Bus reviews a sales pamphlet with Darren Hess of Fort Wayne Community Schools at the Forest River booth.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Collins Bus representative Libby Kimmel reviews a vehicle information sheet with an attendee at NAPT ACTS 2026, with school buses and other exhibitors visible behind them. — Libby Kimmel from Collins Bus reviews a sales pamphlet with Darren Hess of Fort Wayne Community Schools at the Forest River booth.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Six school transportation industry professionals pose together in front of the School Bus Fleet banner at the NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show. — Over half of School Bus Fleet’s editorial advisory board members were at NAPT and gathered at the SBF booth for a photo.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Six school transportation industry professionals pose together in front of the School Bus Fleet banner at the NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show. — Over half of School Bus Fleet’s editorial advisory board members were at NAPT and gathered at the SBF booth for a photo.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Keith Corso demonstrates the BusRight software to an attendee at NAPT ACTS 2026. — Keith Corso, a 2026 SBF Trailblazer, demos the BusRight routing software to an attendee.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Keith Corso demonstrates the BusRight software to an attendee at NAPT ACTS 2026. — Keith Corso, a 2026 SBF Trailblazer, demos the BusRight routing software to an attendee.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Three Zum representatives pose at their NAPT ACTS 2026 booth between displays highlighting the company's Connected Mobility Experience and CMX student transportation software. — Zum’s Stephanie Wilcoxson, Jerry Ortega, and Sarah Skinner promote the company’s CMX solution to attendees during the trade show.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Three Zum representatives pose at their NAPT ACTS 2026 booth between displays highlighting the company's Connected Mobility Experience and CMX student transportation software. — Zum’s Stephanie Wilcoxson, Jerry Ortega, and Sarah Skinner promote the company’s CMX solution to attendees during the trade show.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Four Rosco Vision Systems representatives pose at their NAPT ACTS 2026 exhibit, surrounded by displays highlighting school bus mirrors and safety technology. — Rosco Vision Systems showed off its new StudentGuard+ system, which detects blind spots and pedestrians to alert the driver of potential risks.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Four Rosco Vision Systems representatives pose at their NAPT ACTS 2026 exhibit, surrounded by displays highlighting school bus mirrors and safety technology. — Rosco Vision Systems showed off its new StudentGuard+ system, which detects blind spots and pedestrians to alert the driver of potential risks.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A School-Radio representative stands beside a display of push-to-talk radios and communication equipment at the NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show. — Marty Savino from School-Radio showcases the company’s two-way radio products at the trade show.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A School-Radio representative stands beside a display of push-to-talk radios and communication equipment at the NAPT ACTS 2026 trade show. — Marty Savino from School-Radio showcases the company’s two-way radio products at the trade show.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Two NAPT ACTS 2026 attendees smile for a selfie during a busy conference networking event, with other school transportation professionals gathered behind them. — Jennifer Gardella of Rockwall ISD and Bernando Brown of DeKalb County Schools take a moment for a selfie during a networking opportunity.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Two NAPT ACTS 2026 attendees smile for a selfie during a busy conference networking event, with other school transportation professionals gathered behind them. — Jennifer Gardella of Rockwall ISD and Bernando Brown of DeKalb County Schools take a moment for a selfie during a networking opportunity.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Cindy Buttenmeier presents a session on student behavior at NAPT ACTS 2026, emphasizing that school buses should follow the same behavioral expectations as classrooms. — Cindy Bultemeier of North Kansas City School District led a session on better partnering with district administration with Teena Mitchell of Greenville County Schools and Keith Kenry of the NAPT Foundation. Bultemeier called losing school bus drivers due to student behavior a “crisis we have to address.” In short, the panel recommends setting the same expectations on the bus as in the classroom, building strong relationships with administration for a one-team approach, and establishing clear communication systems, including referral forms with a designated contact person and a follow-up process. Mitchell recommended bringing in schools’ behavior specialists for driver in-services.
Henry offered the idea of a “bus school” for students who earned bus suspensions. There, it’s a 45-minute session for the student to work with the transportation team to be able to come back on the bus the next day. “That was really popular with our commissioners,” he said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Cindy Buttenmeier presents a session on student behavior at NAPT ACTS 2026, emphasizing that school buses should follow the same behavioral expectations as classrooms. — Cindy Bultemeier of North Kansas City School District led a session on better partnering with district administration with Teena Mitchell of Greenville County Schools and Keith Kenry of the NAPT Foundation. Bultemeier called losing school bus drivers due to student behavior a “crisis we have to address.” In short, the panel recommends setting the same expectations on the bus as in the classroom, building strong relationships with administration for a one-team approach, and establishing clear communication systems, including referral forms with a designated contact person and a follow-up process. Mitchell recommended bringing in schools’ behavior specialists for driver in-services.
Henry offered the idea of a “bus school” for students who earned bus suspensions. There, it’s a 45-minute session for the student to work with the transportation team to be able to come back on the bus the next day. “That was really popular with our commissioners,” he said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses the audience during a NAPT ACTS 2026 session on school bus manufacturing and industry developments, with panelists seated behind him. — In an OEM panel, four school bus manufacturers provided updates on both their companies and products, as well as the state of the market. Blue Bird’s Albert Burleigh discussed the recent Micro Bird acquisition and the company’s propane partnership with ROUSH; IC Bus’ Ryan Kauffman mentioned the new B6.7 engine and predicted a stable market ahead as driver unemployment has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels; Thomas Built’s Mario DiFoggio predicted a dip in the market and a return to normal in 2029 due to current EPA uncertainty; and Andris Delins from RIDE shared how the company’s Blade battery technology works.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses the audience during a NAPT ACTS 2026 session on school bus manufacturing and industry developments, with panelists seated behind him. — In an OEM panel, four school bus manufacturers provided updates on both their companies and products, as well as the state of the market. Blue Bird’s Albert Burleigh discussed the recent Micro Bird acquisition and the company’s propane partnership with ROUSH; IC Bus’ Ryan Kauffman mentioned the new B6.7 engine and predicted a stable market ahead as driver unemployment has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels; Thomas Built’s Mario DiFoggio predicted a dip in the market and a return to normal in 2029 due to current EPA uncertainty; and Andris Delins from RIDE shared how the company’s Blade battery technology works.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Peter Manella, NAPT's public policy liaison, shares association priorities and federal climate updates to attendees.

Credit:

Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses NAPT ACTS 2026 attendees from the podium while panelists sit behind him and a transportation industry update slide appears on the screen. — NAPT invited in the industry’s other two associations for updates. Here, Curt Macysyn of the National School Transportation Association shares insight into the recent school bus driver safety competition and NSTA’s advocacy efforts and industry legislation, including the Brake for Kids Act and Driving Forward Act. Ron Litchfield, representing NASDPTS, also offered updates on the association’s newest illegal passing survey and new position papers.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A speaker addresses NAPT ACTS 2026 attendees from the podium while panelists sit behind him and a transportation industry update slide appears on the screen. — NAPT invited in the industry’s other two associations for updates. Here, Curt Macysyn of the National School Transportation Association shares insight into the recent school bus driver safety competition and NSTA’s advocacy efforts and industry legislation, including the Brake for Kids Act and Driving Forward Act. Ron Litchfield, representing NASDPTS, also offered updates on the association’s newest illegal passing survey and new position papers.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A presenter leads a small-group discussion during a NAPT ACTS 2026 regional meeting as school transportation professionals listen from tables. — Each of NAPT’s regions gathered in small groups to get to know their region director and each other and discuss shared resources and challenges. Here, Ohio’s Heather Free leads Region 3.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

A presenter leads a small-group discussion during a NAPT ACTS 2026 regional meeting as school transportation professionals listen from tables. — Each of NAPT’s regions gathered in small groups to get to know their region director and each other and discuss shared resources and challenges. Here, Ohio’s Heather Free leads Region 3.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attendees at NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville participate in an interactive trivia activity, raising numbered signs and engaging with a presenter during a conference session. — A regional trivia showdown quizzed attendees on their NAPT knowledge, allowing each region to go head to head in competition.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attendees at NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville participate in an interactive trivia activity, raising numbered signs and engaging with a presenter during a conference session. — A regional trivia showdown quizzed attendees on their NAPT knowledge, allowing each region to go head to head in competition.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett