From Monday’s Public Transit Legal Symposium to Tuesday’s Leadership, Mobility and Marketing Labs, the 2026 SWTA Leadership Lab is packed with practical education and industry expertise

It’s almost time, SWTA Nation!

The 2026 SWTA Leadership Lab begins Monday, September 14, in Breckenridge, Colorado, bringing transit professionals and industry partners together for two days of leadership development, practical education, collaboration and connection.

The speakers are ready. The sessions are set. Our sponsors have stepped up. And SWTA is ready to welcome everyone to Breckenridge.

Didn't register online? You can still join us.

Online registration has closed, but walk-up registration will be available on-site, so last-minute attendees still have an opportunity to be part of Leadership Lab.

Monday: Public Transit Legal Symposium

Leadership Lab kicks off Monday with the Public Transit Legal Symposium, a full day dedicated to the legal, legislative, regulatory, workforce and public safety issues affecting transit agencies today.

Sessions will explore hiring hurdles in today's labor market; transit agency rights and responsibilities involving public safety, mental health, immigration issues and gun violence; SWTA's legislative efforts and opportunities for members to engage in regulatory reform; and the complexities of Tribal law and transit.

Featured speakers include Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty; Katie Kachel of Blank Rome Government Relations LLC; John Lewis of TransPro Consulting; Anne Smith, Executive Director of Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency; and Paiten Taylor Qualls of the Cherokee Nation Attorney General's Office.

The goal is practical: give transit leaders information, perspectives and resources they can take back to their agencies as they navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.

After a full day of learning, SWTA Nation will come together Monday evening for the Opening Reception, providing time to reconnect with longtime colleagues, meet new faces and continue the conversations outside the classroom.

Tuesday Begins with Leadership: Ehren Bingaman Takes the Stage

Tuesday begins with a focus on leadership as Ehren Bingaman, National Practice Leader, Transit at Burgess & Niple, takes the stage as the 2026 Leadership Lab keynote speaker.

Ehren will present:

“The Positivity Advantage: Mastering Patience, Presence, and Persistence to Lead with Impact.”

With 30 years of experience in public sector and public transit leadership, Ehren will explore how patience, presence and persistence can help leaders navigate challenges, lead through change and create meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.

From there, Tuesday puts the LAB in Leadership Lab with dedicated Mobility and Marketing & Communications programming.

Tuesday Mobility Lab: Ideas, Partnerships and Solutions

The Mobility Lab brings together industry professionals to explore partnerships, emerging challenges and ideas for improving mobility in communities of all sizes.

Innovating to Increase Mobility — Partnership with UZURV will feature Kendra McGeady, SWTA Chair and Cherokee Nation Councilwoman, and Tod Morris of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments.

The conversation continues with Emerging Mobility Concerns in Rural Areas: Mobility Ideas from Across the Nation, featuring Susan Starwalt of UZURV and Ron Brooks of Accessible Avenue, LLC.

These sessions are designed to move beyond theory and create conversations around practical mobility solutions, partnerships and ideas transit professionals can take back to the communities they serve.

Tuesday Marketing & Communications Lab: Tell the Story. Build the Brand.

Tuesday's Marketing & Communications Lab brings together four sessions focused on helping agencies communicate more effectively, strengthen their brands and connect with the communities they serve.

Traci Jones will lead “Bringing Your Transit Brand to Life with Unforgettable Social Media,” exploring ways agencies can make their social media presence more engaging and memorable.

Michelle Robertson will present “From Driver to Ambassador,” focusing on the important role frontline employees can play in representing an agency and strengthening its connection with riders and communities.

Danielle Sterle, Mesa County Transit Program Manager, and Simon McCullough, Grand Valley Transit Transportation Access Specialist/Mobility Manager, will lead the interactive session “Your Agency Has the Story. Let’s Tell It. — Turn Everyday Moments Into Powerful Community Connections.”

Danielle and Simon will challenge attendees to recognize the stories already happening around their agencies—from employees and riders to programs, partnerships and everyday moments—and turn those stories into content people actually want to see.

Finally, Crys Black will present “Work Smarter. Market Better.”

Together, the sessions are designed to give transit professionals practical ideas they can take home and put to work.

💻 Marketing Lab Attendees: Bring Your Laptop!

We're serious about the word LAB.

If you're attending Tuesday's Marketing & Communications Lab, bring your laptop and come ready to participate.

This isn't intended to be a day of sitting back and collecting pages of notes. Attendees will have opportunities to think about their own agencies, work through ideas and consider how the strategies being discussed can apply to their organizations.

Bring your laptop. Bring your ideas. Come ready to create.

It’s Not Too Late to Join Us

Online registration may be closed, but walk-up registration will be available on-site in Breckenridge.

If your plans have changed—or you're seeing this lineup and realizing you should probably be there—we'll be ready to welcome you.

2026 SWTA Leadership Lab

 September 14–15, 2026

 Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center

 Breckenridge, Colorado

Walk-up registration available on-site.

Pack your bags, SWTA Nation. We'll see you Monday in Breckenridge!