Take a look at the workshops, trade show and cowboy-themed banquet at the 2015 Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference, held in Arlington, Texas.
PHOTOS: Highlights from Southeastern States
The 65th edition of the annual Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference (SESPTC) was held July 12-15 at the Arlington (Texas) Convention Center. In the background is the baseball stadium where the Texas Rangers play.
Officials from the Arlington Police Department’s SWAT team and from Dallas County Schools gave a presentation on responding to school bus emergencies.
Pupil transportation consultant George Horne shared creative approaches to training school bus drivers and attendants.
SESPTC’s trade show featured new alternative-fuel school buses and other products from about 60 vendors. Here, Jim Haigh of Safe Fleet (left) talks with Texas pupil transportation veteran Brian Weisinger.
At left is IC Bus’ new propane CE Series school bus. At right is Blue Bird’s propane Vision.
Marlon Watson, director of transportation at Durham (N.C.) Public Schools, and his family pose next to a giant boot at the SESPTC banquet, which was sponsored by IC Bus.
The banquet was decked out with western decorations.
During the banquet, Lone Star Attitude played classic rock and country hits, including such school bus-appropriate numbers as “On the Road Again” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Also during the banquet, each state delegation assembled for photos. Seen here is the Alabama group.
A few delegates from Florida are seen here. They had at least one more representative at the conference who is not seen here: Greg Akin of Volusia County Schools.
The sharply dressed Louisiana delegation.
The Mississippi delegation, with a few youngsters in tow.
A majority of the Oklahoma delegates wore hats (at least for the photo).
Virginia also had a large delegation, even though they probably traveled the farthest.
SBF Executive Editor Thomas McMahon (left) talks with Arkansas state director Mike Simmons and former Alabama state director Joe Lightsey. This photo by Jaime Gallego. Read more about the conference in SBF's coverage here.
SESPTC drew about 135 pupil transportation officials from 10 states in the southeastern U.S.
Lt. Ray Robinson, Tennessee’s state pupil transportation director, facilitated the session on responding to school bus emergencies.
Charlie Vits of SafeGuard talks with Gary Elliott, director of transportation at Copperas Cove (Texas) Independent School District.
Attendees learn about lighting technology at the Weldon booth.
Thomas Built Buses displayed its new compressed natural gas-powered C2 school bus.
Many attendees got into the spirit by donning cowboy hats and pearl snap shirts.
Here’s the Arkansas delegation, one of whom might pass for a local with his Texas T-shirt.
North Carolina delegates, plus one junior delegate.
Two from Tennessee. SESPTC’s official photographer, Jaime Gallego, graciously contributed this shot.
Proving the slogan that “Everything is bigger in Texas,” the host state’s delegation was the biggest. Of course, they didn’t have to travel as far as most of the other delegates.
Seen here are SESPTC executive committee board members. Clockwise from top left: Derek Graham of North Carolina, Tom Farmer of Arkansas, Mike Simmons of Arkansas, Ray Robinson of Tennessee, June Eanes of Virginia and Rebecca Rocha of Texas.