I’m sure you have started to consider attending a school transportation conference or two this year. Many state, regional and national conferences offer school transportation professionals an opportunity to get together to share ideas, network and reconnect with industry partners and friends. I highly recommend you attend conferences for professional development opportunities, too. The information that you can absorb from industry experts and panelists, and share with others, will help you achieve better outcomes for your students and school transportation operations.

“The chance to gain inspiration and motivation from other successful professionals is a big factor in why I attend conferences,” said Jacob Iverson, senior vice president at Landmark Student Transportation. The educational sessions and expertise of the presenters at conferences can help improve your skills and knowledge on school transportation subject matters. What better investment is there to make than in yourself and your team? Conferences often feature keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions led by experts in various fields of expertise. By attending, individuals can learn about the latest trends and best practices to gain valuable insights that can help them grow both personally and professionally.

In 2025, award winning keynote speakers like Scott Welle and Jon Petz will share their personal stories and experiences, which can be sources of inspiration for STN EXPO attendees. This can help individuals develop a growth mindset and increase their confidence in pursuing their goals. Attending conferences and leadership training programs can offer numerous benefits to individuals and organizations.

Conferences like STN EXPO—with the focused content events Bus Technology Summit, Green Bus Summit and Transportation Director Summit—provide an opportunity to gain knowledge, learn new skills and network with like-minded individuals. Participating in trade shows and networking events can also expose individuals to new technology and enable them to meet new potential business partners.

“I experienced a lot of value connecting with leaders at the STN EXPO [West] in Reno last year, especially at the Transportation Director Summit,” said Teresa Fleming, COO at the School District of Philadelphia and 2023 STN Transportation Director of the Year. “The conversations and connections I made during the sessions, networking events and trade show were invaluable. I plan to attend STN EXPO again this year and send our transportation team, too.”

The ability to network with fellow attendees and crowdsource potential solutions to today’s most pressing challenges is what you should expect to get out of attending a conference. Engaging with trade show exhibitors to connect the dots between operational strategy and the role technology can play is key. Also, you can have fun doing it while catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Conferences provide an opportunity to network with other professionals in our industry. This can be especially valuable for those who are looking to expand their professional circle and make new connections.

Networking can lead to new opportunities, problem-solving ideas, collaboration and partnerships that can benefit both the attendee and the organization or school district they represent.

Last year, we asked STN EXPO attendees, “Why do you attend our conferences?” The top two responses were networking and professional development/educational classes. Networking events and trade shows are also important for people that are looking to expand their professional network and stay updated on the latest trends and technology.

The opportunity to meet with peers, suppliers, school bus dealers and OEMs has a big value for conference attendees. The trade show can also act as a place to conduct market research to find the best products and partners for your school district or organization needs to address key challenges in student behavior, fuel of choice, safety, security, staffing recruitment, driver training and special needs.

I want to personally invite you to register for STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, suburb of Concord, March 20-25, or STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada, July 11-16. Learn more at stnexpo.com.

Attending conferences and leadership training programs can offer numerous benefits to individuals and organizations. The opportunity is there to gain new
knowledge and skills, network with other professionals, and attain inspiration and motivation from successful speakers. If you are an individual looking to grow professionally, attending conferences and trade shows can be a valuable investment in your future success and time well spent.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the March 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: WATCH: National School Bus Inspection Training Program at STN EXPO East Adds OEM Training
Related: Innovative, Bus Technology Meet for Immersive Experience at STN EXPO East
Related: STN EXPO East Brings Child Passenger Safety Training to North Carolina
Related: STN EXPO East Keynote Speaker Brings Dynamic Performance Strategies to North Carolina

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This year has started off with a flurry of activity. We have new leadership at Blue Bird, IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses. Last month, President Donald Trump was sworn into office. A new political trifecta has been created with the House of Representatives and Senate maintaining a Republican majority. Amid the leadership changes, federal legislators have been targeting improved school bus safety especially in the Danger Zone. Enter the Enhancing Necessary Data (END) Illegal Passing Act and the School Bus Safety Act.

As Illegal passing of school buses continues to occur across the country at alarming rates, the Jackie Walorski END Illegal Passing Act was reintroduced by Reps. Julia Brownley and Rudy Yakym. These two congressional members continued the mission of Walorski, who tragically died in a vehicle collision in August 2022. The bill represents a vital component in the quest to curb this safety epidemic.

The School Bus Safety Act aims to improve the safety of students when traveling to and from school on buses. There have been multiple attempts at the federal level to pass this law, but these efforts have been met with mixed results.

It would primarily address the issue of drivers illegally passing school buses when their red lights are flashing, indicating that children are either boarding or exiting. Key components of the act include increased penalties for passing a stopped school bus, enhanced enforcement and monitoring, awareness campaigns, and stronger laws for school bus safety. The overall goal is to reduce accidents and fatalities involving school children, making it safer for students when they are boarding or exiting school buses. States may adopt different versions of the law, but the core aim remains to keep students safe as they travel to and from school.

There is certainly a need for both laws. According to a study conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation (NASDPTS), an estimated 45.2 million illegal passing violations occurred during the 2023-2024 school year. NHSTA is also developing a campaign similar to “Click it or Ticket” that targeted increased seat belt usage in 1993. This time, NHTSA wants to increase awareness of illegal passing of school buses. A Super Bowl commercial would be the ultimate awareness platform, if funding would be authorized.

A recent national study by NHTSA of 3,500 respondents found that over 30 percent of people said “They didn’t care” when passing a school bus illegally. That kind of disrespect for the yellow school bus can’t be ignored. A quarter of motorists said they were in a hurry and nearly the same amount said they didn’t know the law. Another 12 percent said they were distracted.

Illegal passing was a hot-button issue last month at the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Midwinter Meeting. So was the topic of alternative transportation. I sat in a presentation by NASDPTS Executive Director Ronna Weber and President Mike Stier, as they shared a new position paper that calls out the safety of school buses compared to vans and other vehicles. NASDPTS issued 17 recommendations to address the safety of these alternative vehicles as well as their drivers.

I have seen the growth and demand increase exponentially for this type of alternative transportation service, but providers lack clear industry safety standards and guidelines. This has been an ongoing point of concern among industry stakeholders as more school districts utilize this type of home to school transportation service for students with disabilities and students served by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. It will also be a major topic of conversation at the upcoming National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) meeting held in Des Moines, Iowa, May 3-7.

Also, during the NSTA meeting last month, I listened to discussions about the future of the EPA Clean School Bus Program, fuel tax exemption, safety fitness determination, national employer notification of driving violations, federal minimum limits for financial responsibility (insurance), and protection against unfair competition by public transit in provision of home to school bus transportation. New safety technology and device mandates were discussed, too.

The school transportation industry is poised for significant advancements and change this year. Join us next month at STN EXPO East in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, where you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your leadership, safety and operational expertise. Explore cutting-edge technology, innovative safety equipment and exciting new OEM product launches. We look forward to seeing you there.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the February 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: NHTSA Releases Report on Nationwide Illegal School Bus Passing Laws
Related: (STN Podcast E244) In the People Business: Underscoring & Improving School Bus Safety
Related: STN EXPO East Brings Child Passenger Safety Training to North Carolina
Related: Blue Bird Announces New President, CEO

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