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Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

Management•Photos 22•July 28, 2026

Nearly 300 school transportation professionals gathered in Denver for the 2026 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Conference to discuss the issues shaping the private operator industry. Topics ranged from emerging technologies and federal regulations to insurance, workforce challenges, the Sunshine Act, and contractor-supplier partnerships. Browse highlights from educational sessions, live podcast recordings, networking events, awards presentations, and more.

Save the date for next year: July 19-22, 2027, at Chateau Whistler in British Columbia.

Topics:NSTA industry events Annual Conference Management

Two yellow school buses arrive outside the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum as attendees gather for an evening networking event during the 2026 NSTA conference. — An evening outing to Wings Over the Rockies. Each year, the association hosts an offsite networking activity at a local attraction in the host city.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Two yellow school buses arrive outside the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum as attendees gather for an evening networking event during the 2026 NSTA conference. — An evening outing to Wings Over the Rockies. Each year, the association hosts an offsite networking activity at a local attraction in the host city.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA President Patrick Dean welcomes attendees during the opening general session of the 2026 National School Transportation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — Patrick Dean, current NSTA president, welcomes attendees to the Mile High City.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA President Patrick Dean welcomes attendees during the opening general session of the 2026 National School Transportation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — Patrick Dean, current NSTA president, welcomes attendees to the Mile High City.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attendees gather around the Sheraton Denver Downtown rooftop pool during the welcome reception, networking and reconnecting to kick off the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — A welcome reception took place at the Sheraton’s rooftop pool, with a Denver-themed cocktail available.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attendees gather around the Sheraton Denver Downtown rooftop pool during the welcome reception, networking and reconnecting to kick off the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — A welcome reception took place at the Sheraton’s rooftop pool, with a Denver-themed cocktail available.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn and NSTA President Patrick Dean pose together in the conference lobby at the 2026 National School Transportation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — (L to R) Patrick Dean of Dean Transportation and NSTA president, stands with Curt Macysyn, NSTA executive director.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn and NSTA President Patrick Dean pose together in the conference lobby at the 2026 National School Transportation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — (L to R) Patrick Dean of Dean Transportation and NSTA president, stands with Curt Macysyn, NSTA executive director.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA leadership conducts the association's business meeting, with board members seated at a long table discussing organizational updates during the 2026 annual conference. — In the NSTA business meeting, we learned the success and growth of the recent driver safety competition and the state of the association and its membership and partnerships.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

NSTA leadership conducts the association's business meeting, with board members seated at a long table discussing organizational updates during the 2026 annual conference. — In the NSTA business meeting, we learned the success and growth of the recent driver safety competition and the state of the association and its membership and partnerships.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Thomas Hanson of Motive presents on artificial intelligence applications for school transportation, discussing real-time fleet safety and operational technology at the 2026 NSTA conference. — Thomas Hanson of Motive delivers an overview of the company’s AI solutions, noting that AI has now moved into the physical economy, and sees and thinks alongside us. The biggest advancement is its ability to operate in real time through alerts, instead of after-hours review and SD cards.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Thomas Hanson of Motive presents on artificial intelligence applications for school transportation, discussing real-time fleet safety and operational technology at the 2026 NSTA conference. — Thomas Hanson of Motive delivers an overview of the company’s AI solutions, noting that AI has now moved into the physical economy, and sees and thinks alongside us. The biggest advancement is its ability to operate in real time through alerts, instead of after-hours review and SD cards.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Michelle Atwell of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration presents federal school bus safety updates on a stage at the NSTA event — Michelle Atwell, chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), offered an overview of federal initiatives related to motorway and school bus safety. In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), NHTSA has completed and published its illegal passing public messaging campaign and state laws report on school bus passing, as well as best practices guide. Items still in agency review are its review of technologies to mitigate illegal passing, a review of driver education materials, and a report addressing the relationship between illegal passing and other safety issues especially in rural areas. IIJA ends this fall and is up for reauthorization. She also discussed the agency’s efforts to work with partnering with law enforcement to increase awareness and enforcement for illegal passing and a new 10-year look at fatal accident statistics.
Atwell mentioned that NHTSA is looking for feedback to its Safe Routes planner, with a revision coming in FY2027. She also noted that the agency has been following the safety concerns around electric and autonomous vehicles interacting with school buses. “I will tell you NHTSA is very, very engaged in discussions with those manufacturers, and we are working tirelessly with them to try to figure out what (the next iteration of AV policy) looks like,” she said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Michelle Atwell of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration presents federal school bus safety updates on a stage at the NSTA event — Michelle Atwell, chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), offered an overview of federal initiatives related to motorway and school bus safety. In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), NHTSA has completed and published its illegal passing public messaging campaign and state laws report on school bus passing, as well as best practices guide. Items still in agency review are its review of technologies to mitigate illegal passing, a review of driver education materials, and a report addressing the relationship between illegal passing and other safety issues especially in rural areas. IIJA ends this fall and is up for reauthorization. She also discussed the agency’s efforts to work with partnering with law enforcement to increase awareness and enforcement for illegal passing and a new 10-year look at fatal accident statistics.
Atwell mentioned that NHTSA is looking for feedback to its Safe Routes planner, with a revision coming in FY2027. She also noted that the agency has been following the safety concerns around electric and autonomous vehicles interacting with school buses. “I will tell you NHTSA is very, very engaged in discussions with those manufacturers, and we are working tirelessly with them to try to figure out what (the next iteration of AV policy) looks like,” she said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Two attendees participate in a one-on-one speed networking meeting during a supplier-operator networking session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Speed networking allowed 31 contractor operators to meet with industry suppliers and OEMs in a 1:1 setting.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Two attendees participate in a one-on-one speed networking meeting during a supplier-operator networking session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Speed networking allowed 31 contractor operators to meet with industry suppliers and OEMs in a 1:1 setting.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Conference attendees gather among historic aircraft exhibits during an evening networking event at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver. — An evening outing to Wings Over the Rockies. Each year, the association hosts an offsite networking activity at a local attraction in the host city.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Conference attendees gather among historic aircraft exhibits during an evening networking event at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver. — An evening outing to Wings Over the Rockies. Each year, the association hosts an offsite networking activity at a local attraction in the host city.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, poses with Curt Macysyn after winning the conference's Tricky Tray auction at Wings Over the Rockies. — Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com. and a 2026 SBF Trailblazer, won the event’s Tricky Tray auction, securing a half-page ad in School Bus Fleet, with all auction proceeds benefiting the NSTA political action committee (PAC).
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, poses with Curt Macysyn after winning the conference's Tricky Tray auction at Wings Over the Rockies. — Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com. and a 2026 SBF Trailblazer, won the event’s Tricky Tray auction, securing a half-page ad in School Bus Fleet, with all auction proceeds benefiting the NSTA political action committee (PAC).
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Curt Macysyn hosts a live episode of The Bus Stop podcast featuring Marty Savino of School-Radio during the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Curt Macysyn hosts a special live episode of the Bus Stop podcast with guest Marty Savino of School-Radio. Catch the show here!
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Curt Macysyn hosts a live episode of The Bus Stop podcast featuring Marty Savino of School-Radio during the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Curt Macysyn hosts a special live episode of the Bus Stop podcast with guest Marty Savino of School-Radio. Catch the show here!
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attorney Brian Hill presents on rising transportation costs, inflation, insurance, and contracting challenges during an educational session at the 2026 NSTA conference. — Brian Hill, Esq., and Matt Jandrisavitz, Esq., host a legal update session to kick off the conference. They covered what’s behind rising operating costs for school transportation — from fuel prices to wages, equipment, insurance, and special-needs transportation — and strategies for success, including fuel consortiums, use of grants, clarified partner expectations, and age of fleet clauses. “If there’s one takeaway, it’s that relationships will get you the furthest,” Jandrisavitz said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Attorney Brian Hill presents on rising transportation costs, inflation, insurance, and contracting challenges during an educational session at the 2026 NSTA conference. — Brian Hill, Esq., and Matt Jandrisavitz, Esq., host a legal update session to kick off the conference. They covered what’s behind rising operating costs for school transportation — from fuel prices to wages, equipment, insurance, and special-needs transportation — and strategies for success, including fuel consortiums, use of grants, clarified partner expectations, and age of fleet clauses. “If there’s one takeaway, it’s that relationships will get you the furthest,” Jandrisavitz said.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Ronna Weber, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), presents updates on national school transportation initiatives during a session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — Ronna Weber, executive director of NASDPTS, presents an update from the state director’s association, including the dates of the next NCST and results of the newest illegal passing survey.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Ronna Weber, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), presents updates on national school transportation initiatives during a session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — Ronna Weber, executive director of NASDPTS, presents an update from the state director’s association, including the dates of the next NCST and results of the newest illegal passing survey.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Rebecca Pettit, chief counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), delivers a federal policy update during a luncheon session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention, discussing agency priorities, CDL integrity, and highway safety initiatives. — Rebecca Pettit, chief counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), presented a luncheon session to update attendees on activity and priorities and the federal level. She mentioned new administrator Derek Barrs, noting: “It's the first time we've ever had this type of individual in the leadership of FMCSA, and our goals are not to do more regulations, are not to have more control and let interest groups rule the day. We want to do everything and anything we can do to make the highway safer… and leave this agency in a better place.” Pettit also discussed the agency’s effort to bring integrity back to CDLs and reduce fraud. Her tips to operators: “Good recordkeeping leads to good data.”
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Rebecca Pettit, chief counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), delivers a federal policy update during a luncheon session at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention, discussing agency priorities, CDL integrity, and highway safety initiatives. — Rebecca Pettit, chief counsel for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), presented a luncheon session to update attendees on activity and priorities and the federal level. She mentioned new administrator Derek Barrs, noting: “It's the first time we've ever had this type of individual in the leadership of FMCSA, and our goals are not to do more regulations, are not to have more control and let interest groups rule the day. We want to do everything and anything we can do to make the highway safer… and leave this agency in a better place.” Pettit also discussed the agency’s effort to bring integrity back to CDLs and reduce fraud. Her tips to operators: “Good recordkeeping leads to good data.”
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Representatives from leading school bus manufacturers participate in an OEM panel discussion covering vehicle technology, alternative fuels, regulations, and future product developments. — Industry OEMs Blue Bird, IC Bus, RIDE, and Thomas Built Buses all took the stage to offer updates on their businesses and manufacturing, and a discussion on what’s next, including economic trends, the new Cummins Octane engine, Bendix Fusions’ new pedestrian detection, state of the EV market, new EPA proposals, and school bus model enhancements.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Representatives from leading school bus manufacturers participate in an OEM panel discussion covering vehicle technology, alternative fuels, regulations, and future product developments. — Industry OEMs Blue Bird, IC Bus, RIDE, and Thomas Built Buses all took the stage to offer updates on their businesses and manufacturing, and a discussion on what’s next, including economic trends, the new Cummins Octane engine, Bendix Fusions’ new pedestrian detection, state of the EV market, new EPA proposals, and school bus model enhancements.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Panelists discuss strategies for strengthening partnerships between school transportation contractors and service providers during an educational session at the 2026 NSTA conference. — In a session on doing more with less, “How Contractors Can Best Partner with Service Providers,” Dan Kobussen of Kobussen Buses, Jacob Iverson of Landmark Student Transportation, and Matthew Bushland of North America Central School Bus, discussed the keys to great relationships. One tip is to share your data and KPIs both ways so both partners know what the Nort Star is and progress on getting there.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Panelists discuss strategies for strengthening partnerships between school transportation contractors and service providers during an educational session at the 2026 NSTA conference. — In a session on doing more with less, “How Contractors Can Best Partner with Service Providers,” Dan Kobussen of Kobussen Buses, Jacob Iverson of Landmark Student Transportation, and Matthew Bushland of North America Central School Bus, discussed the keys to great relationships. One tip is to share your data and KPIs both ways so both partners know what the Nort Star is and progress on getting there.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Curt Macysyn interviews Robert Jacobus of School Bus Logistics during a live recording of The Bus Stop podcast at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Curt Macysyn hosts another live taping of the Bus Stop podcast with Robert Jacobus of School Bus Logistics.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Curt Macysyn interviews Robert Jacobus of School Bus Logistics during a live recording of The Bus Stop podcast at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. — Curt Macysyn hosts another live taping of the Bus Stop podcast with Robert Jacobus of School Bus Logistics.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Bobbie Hartman of First Student presents NSTA's updated Outsourcing Student Transportation Toolkit during an educational session at the 2026 annual meeting. — Bobbie Hartman of First Student unveiled NSTA’s newest addition to its “Outsourcing Student Transportation Toolkit.” Part V looks at driver engagement and support. She also noted NSTA’s new cost-analysis calculator, available online here.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Bobbie Hartman of First Student presents NSTA's updated Outsourcing Student Transportation Toolkit during an educational session at the 2026 annual meeting. — Bobbie Hartman of First Student unveiled NSTA’s newest addition to its “Outsourcing Student Transportation Toolkit.” Part V looks at driver engagement and support. She also noted NSTA’s new cost-analysis calculator, available online here.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Four people stand next to each other at a cocktail reception — Representatives from Lancer Insurance and BusesForSale.com mingle at the award ceremony's cocktail reception.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Four people stand next to each other at a cocktail reception — Representatives from Lancer Insurance and BusesForSale.com mingle at the award ceremony's cocktail reception.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Amanda Huggett poses with Alexandra Robinson, NAPT President and CEO Molly McGee Hewitt, and AMF Bruns of America National Account Manager Maritza Valentin during the cocktail reception at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — At the cocktail reception before the awards ceremony, attendees mingled over tasty snacks and drinks. Here, SBF editor Amanda Huggett stands with Alexandra Robinson, NAPT’s Molly McGee Hewitt, and AMF Bruns of America’s Maritza Valentin. Valentin won the Vendor Partner of the Year award.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Amanda Huggett poses with Alexandra Robinson, NAPT President and CEO Molly McGee Hewitt, and AMF Bruns of America National Account Manager Maritza Valentin during the cocktail reception at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention in Denver. — At the cocktail reception before the awards ceremony, attendees mingled over tasty snacks and drinks. Here, SBF editor Amanda Huggett stands with Alexandra Robinson, NAPT’s Molly McGee Hewitt, and AMF Bruns of America’s Maritza Valentin. Valentin won the Vendor Partner of the Year award.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Newly elected NSTA officers raise their right hands during the installation ceremony at the association's Awards and Installation Dinner in Denver. — The awards and installation dinner had the association’s officers take an oath.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Newly elected NSTA officers raise their right hands during the installation ceremony at the association's Awards and Installation Dinner in Denver. — The awards and installation dinner had the association’s officers take an oath.
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Chloe Williams of B.R. Williams speaks at the podium after receiving NSTA's 2026 Contractor of the Year Award during the Awards and Installation Dinner. NSTA leaders Patrick Dean and Curt Macysyn stand beside her on stage in Denver. — Chloe Williams from B.R. Williams took home the Contractor of the Year honor. See all the winners here!
Credit:
Amanda Huggett

Chloe Williams of B.R. Williams speaks at the podium after receiving NSTA's 2026 Contractor of the Year Award during the Awards and Installation Dinner. NSTA leaders Patrick Dean and Curt Macysyn stand beside her on stage in Denver. — Chloe Williams from B.R. Williams took home the Contractor of the Year honor. See all the winners here!
Credit:
Amanda Huggett