SWTA Connections
November 26, 2025
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On-Site Visit to Albuquerque Sets the Stage for the 2026 SWTA + NMTA Joint Annual Conference & EXPO
The SWTA + NMTA planning teams recently traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico for an in-depth on-site visit as preparations continue for the 2026 SWTA + NMTA Joint Annual Conference & EXPO, taking place March 30–April 2, 2026. The visit provided an essential opportunity to tour the host venues and meet with the local partners who will help bring the conference to life.
During the visit, the team toured the host hotel and the Albuquerque Convention Center, where the full conference and EXPO will be held. Both venues offered modern, flexible spaces capable of hosting one of the largest and most dynamic regional transit conferences to date.
The group also spent time with Albuquerque’s regional partners, visiting Rio Metro Transit District operations and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to gain insight into the city’s multimodal network and strong commitment to innovation, safety, and connectivity. We look forward to our partnerships with Rio Metro and ABQ RIDE as planning continues for the 2026 SWTA + NMTA Joint Annual Conference & EXPO.
Throughout the on-site visit, SWTA + NMTA leadership collaborated on conference layouts, session planning, logistics, and attendee experience design — ensuring a seamless, impactful, and memorable event for transit professionals across the Southwest.
More details about the 2026 Joint Annual Conference & EXPO — including keynote announcements, featured events, sponsorship, and registration timelines — will be announced soon.
Representatives in attendance included Theresa McBee (PlanItWorld), Michelle Robertson (SWTA Communications & Outreach Coordinator), Kendra McGeady (SWTA Chair), Elizabeth Carter (Assistant Transit Director, Rio Metro), Melissa Drake (Executive Director, NMTA), and Andrea Ball (SWTA Interim Consulting Director).
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Sponsorships Now Open for the 2026 SWTA & NMTA Joint Annual Conference & Expo!
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Get ready for the largest transit event in the Southwest — where innovation, collaboration, and opportunity meet! Sponsoring the 2026 SWTA & NMTA Joint Annual Conference & Expo, taking place March 30–April 2, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, puts your organization front and center with hundreds of transit leaders, decision-makers, and industry partners shaping the future of mobility.
Don’t miss your chance to gain exclusive visibility, connect face-to-face with your customers, and stand out as a leader in transportation.
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Kendra McGeady is making history as the first Native American woman — and only the second woman ever — to serve as Chair of the Southwest Transit Association. Her election to this role marks a significant milestone for SWTA Nation and a powerful moment for representation across the transit industry.
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A proud citizen and the District 11 Councilor for the Cherokee Nation, Kendra is a trusted leader in Tribal governance and regional mobility. She was unanimously elected by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council to serve as Chair of the Community Services Oversight Committee, which oversees critical programs including human services, housing, and transportation—further demonstrating her commitment to strengthening systems that support Tribal citizens.
Before co-founding The Navigation Firm, Kendra led Pelivan Transit and the Northeast Tribal Transit Consortium at Grand Gateway EDA, where she:
- Secured more than $3 million in federal discretionary transit grants
- Helped secure $5 million in recurring state funding for public transit through the Oklahoma Legislature
- Led the only Oklahoma-based system ever awarded CTAA’s National Rural Transit System of the Year
Today, Kendra brings that same experience to The Navigation Firm, a native-women-led consulting agency specializing in rural transit, Tribal transportation, mobility planning, economic development, funding strategy, and community engagement. Through this work, she helps agencies across the Southwest strengthen their systems, expand mobility options, and pursue strategic growth.
Kendra also represents Tribal communities nationwide as the Tribal Representative to the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and serves on the Board of the Oklahoma Transit Association, where she continues to elevate rural and Tribal mobility needs at the state and national levels.
As SWTA Chair, Kendra leads with clarity, purpose, and deep connection to the people and communities served by public transit—bringing forward a strong, authentic voice for rural, Tribal, and regional mobility across SWTA’s eight-state region.
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There’s always something new happening across SWTA Nation, and we love highlighting the incredible work of our members. From agency wins and innovative projects to important announcements and community achievements, we’re here to celebrate everything you’re doing to move transit forward in our eight-state region.
Why Share Your Updates?
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Celebrate your team’s accomplishments
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Inspire peers with new ideas and success stories
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Keep the SWTA community informed about what’s happening across the region
Your news may be featured in SWTA’s newsletter or on our website, helping share your impact with agencies, partners, and leaders across the Southwest.
How to Submit: Send your stories, photos, updates, or links to Michelle Robertson at mrobertson@swta.org. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected SWTA Nation—one story at a time.
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Save the Date: 2026 SWTA & NMTA Joint Annual Conference & EXPO
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Mark your calendars for March 30–April 2, 2026, as SWTA and NMTA come together in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the region’s premier transit gathering. This can’t-miss event brings together transit leaders, policy experts, Tribal representatives, and industry innovators for four days of learning, collaboration, and exploration. Attendees will experience hands-on product demonstrations in the EXPO hall, gain insights into federal and state policy, connect with agencies from across the Southwest, and enjoy inspiring keynotes, awards, and networking events. Plan now to join us in Albuquerque—and stay tuned for registration details.
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Grateful for You, This Thanksgiving and Always
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This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the people who keep our region moving.
To the drivers, dispatchers, planners, managers, technicians, administrators, advocates, and leaders across the Southwest — thank you. Your dedication ensures communities stay connected, families reach opportunities, and riders have access to the essentials that make life possible.
The SWTA team is honored to support your work and celebrate the impact you make every single day. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful, and truly Happy Thanksgiving.
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