Inside School Bus Fleet ConneX 2026: Industry Leaders Connect in Scottsdale [Photos]
From Sept. 21-23, 2026, over 40 school bus operators from both the private and public sector, convened with over 30 leading industry suppliers and vendors for two full days of meetings, networking, relationship-building, learning, and fun. It all happened in Scottsdale, Arizona, for School Bus Fleet ConneX (SBFX). Here are the highlights.
About 100 individuals participated in School Bus Fleet ConneX this year.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Amanda Huggett welcomes attendees to the 2026 School Bus Fleet ConneX in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Elora Haynes/School Bus Fleet
The event kicked off with a welcome reception in Bennie's Courtyard for attendees to meet each other over drinks before they night 1 keynote presentation.
Elora Haynes/School Bus Fleet
BusRight’s Matt Corso shares a welcome message to attendees. BusRight was the event’s gala dinner sponsor.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Ann Vote, a former educator-turned culture coach presented the event’s keynote address titled “Ignite Your IMPACT: Lead with Clarity, Alignment, and Appreciation.” Vote shared her own story from the classroom to today and encouraged leaders to get clear on how they communicate for the best chance of success. “When people feel valued, trusted, and confident, they will show up as the best versions of themselves,” she said.
Elora Haynes/School Bus Fleet
Bernando Brown of DeKalb County Schools in Georgia presents the Tuesday morning session titled “The Leadership Pipeline: Why Every Transportation Director Should Be Replacing Themselves.” “The mission cannot depend on one person,” he said. “Someone has to be ready to step in when you’re not there.”
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Four 2026 SBF award winners received trophies, and nearly 30 individuals were honored in total.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Sam Freshner, dean of students at North Clackamas Schools in Oregon, accepts the 2026 Administrator of the Year award on behalf of Kathy Calkins.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Aaron Sepkowski, owner of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Transportation, accepted the 2026 Contractor of the Year award.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Annette Brown of Wa-Nee Community Schools in Indiana accepts the award for 2026 School Bus Driver Hero, along with her director Amy Rosa, AngelTrax’s Blake Barnes, and School Bus Fleet’s Elora Haynes.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
AMF Bruns’ Maritza Valentin presents the 2026 National Special Needs Driver of the Year award to Kelli Goterba.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Kelli Goterba of the Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio, accepts the award for 2026 Special Needs School Bus Driver of the Year, along with her director Jennifer Durno, AMF Bruns’ Maritza Valentin, and School Bus Fleet’s Elora Haynes.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Nine of School Bus Fleet’s 2026 Trailblazers were either able to attend the awards ceremony at SBFX in person or sent someone on their behalf.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Transportant meets with Donna Cox during the one-on-ones.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
BusWhere’s Jonathan Bowie talks with Rachel Jones of Lake Country Transportation during the one-on-one portion of the event.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
ByteCurve’s Jonathan Angeten and Jean Conner talks with a former SBF Contractor of the Year, Jacob Iverson, at the one-on-ones.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Chad Duncan of IC Bus shares an update on the company's activities and overall school bus market. IC Bus was one of the event’s presenting sponsors.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Transfinder’s Frank Gazeley walks focus group participants through the company’s technology solutions.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Max Christensen moderates Q&A with five “lightning” presenters. After a live poll, each panelist presented for five minutes on a topic they’ve mastered, ranging from alternative fuels implementation to safety, data, student behavior, and special needs.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
Jennifer Durno of Trumbull County asks the panelists a question after the event’s lightning presentations.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
Molly McGee Hewitt, CEO and executive director of NAPT, presents an update on the association’s activities and did a giveaway for one free ticket to its upcoming annual conference and trade show.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
An evening dinner reception on Paradise Park Lawn let attendees kick back over dinner, drinks, and music.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
Music during the dinner reception on Paradise Park Lawn was provided by Adam Townsend Duo.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Max Christensen of First Light Safety Products shows off the company’s illuminated school bus lights to the Special Needs Driver of the Year.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
Craig Gerold and Trisha Nolen talk wheelchair restraints with School Bus Fleet’s 2026 Contractor of the Year.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
RIDE’s Jason Shi and James Stoltz present to a focus group their school buses and battery technology.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
BusRight's Matt Corso takes a moment for a quick selfie with Jennifer Durno.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Thomas Built Buses’ Mario DiFoggio shares an update on the OEM’s activity and market analysis. Thomas Built Buses was one of the event’s presenting sponsors.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Wa-Nee Community Schools smiles with NAPT's Molly McGee Hewitt at the welcome reception.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
Zum’s Stephanie Wilcoxson and Jerry Ortega talk to attendees in a focus group about the company’s CMS solution.
Amanda Huggett/School Bus Fleet
School Bus Fleet executive editor Amanda Huggett at the podium.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet
Cigars were provided, as were cordials, to end night 1 after the keynote presentation.
Elora Haynes/School Bus Fleet
Bobit Business Media staff thanks everyone who supported and attended School Bus Fleet ConneX this year. Pictured (L to R) is Sherry Delvecchio, Gretchen Bliss, Amanda Huggett, Elora Haynes, and Butch Worley.
Nick Minton/School Bus Fleet