The SWTA Summer Leadership Lab is the South West Transit Association's premier leadership development experience, bringing together transit professionals from across the Southwest for three days of collaboration, innovation, and practical learning in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado.
Designed for transit executives, managers, supervisors, mobility professionals, board members, communications teams, and emerging leaders, Leadership Lab goes beyond the traditional conference format. Every session is built around real-world challenges facing today's transit agencies, providing participants with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and strategies they can immediately implement when they return home.
The experience begins Sunday evening with the Leadership Lab Welcome Reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the region while building relationships that continue long after the event concludes.
Monday is dedicated to the Public Transit Legal Symposium, featuring nationally recognized legal experts and industry leaders discussing the issues that matter most to transit agencies today. Sessions explore federal regulations, legislative advocacy, agency rights and responsibilities, tribal transit law, and emerging legal developments, giving attendees the knowledge and confidence to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape.
Tuesday features special Keynote speaker lunch for attendees and two specialized learning tracks, allowing attendees to customize their Leadership Lab experience.
The Marketing & Communications Lab is a hands-on experience designed to help agencies strengthen their brand, engage their communities, improve recruitment and retention, and tell the story of public transportation more effectively. Featured speakers include Traci Jones of Studio Six Branding, Michelle Robertson of SWTA and The Navigation Firm, Crys Black, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at Crys Black Consulting, along with additional industry experts sharing practical strategies attendees can immediately put into practice.
At the same time, Mobility Management: SWTA Nation in Motion explores innovative mobility management programs, successful partnerships, and emerging transportation solutions from across the SWTA region and the nation. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, participants will discover practical ideas to expand mobility, improve access, and better serve riders in communities of every size.
Leadership Lab concludes just as the CASTA Fall Conference & EXPO and State Partnerships Conference begin, allowing attendees to continue learning, expand their professional network, visit the industry expo, and engage with transit leaders from across the country—all during one unforgettable week in the Colorado Rockies.
Whether you're leading an agency, managing operations, building community partnerships, telling your agency's story, or shaping the future of mobility, SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026 will leave you with new ideas, stronger connections, and practical solutions to help move your organization—and your leadership—to the next level.
The Leadership Lab hotel block is now open, and the preliminary agenda has been posted! We encourage attendees to reserve their accommodations early, as room availability is limited in Breckenridge during the fall season.
As programming continues to grow, new speakers, sessions, networking opportunities, and event details will be added regularly. Be sure to check the official conference page often for the latest agenda updates, hotel information, registration details, and conference announcements.
View the latest agenda and hotel information:2026 CASTA Fall Conference & EXPO Information
Support the next generation of transit leaders while showcasing your organization to decision-makers from across the Southwest. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the inaugural SWTA Summer Leadership Lab, taking place September 13–15, 2026, in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado.
Leadership Lab will bring together transit executives, managers, board members, legal professionals, marketing and communications specialists, mobility managers, state and tribal partners, and industry leaders for three days of interactive learning, collaboration, and professional development.
A variety of exclusive sponsorship opportunities are available, including the Opening Reception, Keynote Session, Public Transit Legal Symposium, Marketing & Communications Lab, Mobility Management Lab, meals, water bottles, lanyards, charging lounge, coffee breaks, and more. Sponsorships are available on a first-committed, first-reserved basis, ensuring your organization receives exclusive recognition where applicable.
Don't miss this opportunity to align your brand with one of SWTA's newest and most exciting leadership initiatives while demonstrating your commitment to strengthening public transportation across the region.
Reserve your sponsorship today by contacting Michelle Robertson at mrobertson@swta.org or by completing the online sponsorship reservation form:
https://members.swta.org/ap/Events/Register/6VFQDynseF1CZ
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