FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SWTA Announces Summer Leadership Lab 2026 in Breckenridge, Colorado

New Active Learning Experience to Launch in advance of the CASTA Fall Conference & State & Tribal Partnerships Conference

BRECKENRIDGE, CO — The South West Transit Association (SWTA) is proud to officially announce the launch of SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026, a new active learning experience designed specifically for public transit professionals seeking leadership development, practical training, strategic collaboration, and industry innovation.

Taking place September 13–15, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado, SWTA Summer Leadership Lab represents the next evolution of SWTA’s SummerU programming and is intentionally designed to feel different from a traditional conference experience.

Built around collaboration, real-world problem solving, interactive workshops, and peer-to-peer engagement, Summer Leadership Lab will bring together public transportation professionals from across the region and beyond for three days of leadership conversations, communications strategy, mobility innovation, and legal education focused specifically on the transit industry.

“This is about creating an experience where transit professionals actively participate, collaborate, and leave with practical tools they can immediately apply within their agencies and organizations,” said SWTA Executive Director Heather Dalmolin. “Summer Leadership Lab is designed to strengthen leadership, build partnerships, and help move public transportation forward.”

The event will begin Monday, September 14, with the Public Transit Legal Symposium, a full-day legal and compliance experience designed specifically for transit executives, legal counsel, HR professionals, compliance teams, procurement professionals, and risk managers. Monday evening will feature an opening networking reception welcoming attendees to Leadership Lab and providing opportunities to connect with industry peers and partners.

Tuesday’s programming will feature a shared Leadership, Marketing & Mobility Lab experience focused on collaboration, innovation, communications, leadership development, and emerging trends within public transportation. The day will also include opportunities for attendees to begin participating in CASTA events, EXPO activities, and State & Tribal Partnerships Conference sessions.

SWTA Summer Leadership Lab is strategically positioned ahead of CASTA’s Fall Conference and the State & Tribal Partnerships Conference, taking place September 15–18, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado, creating an expanded week of networking, collaboration, and professional development opportunities within the public transit industry.

Attendees are encouraged to extend their stay and participate in both experiences to maximize learning, partnership-building, regional transit engagement, and participation in CASTA events, EXPO activities, and State & Tribal Partnerships Conference sessions.

Registration information, venue details, sponsorship opportunities, and the full agenda for SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026 will be released soon.

Public transit professionals, agency leaders, legal professionals, board members, mobility innovators, and industry partners are encouraged to save the date and make plans to attend.

About SWTA
The South West Transit Association (SWTA) serves public transit providers, leaders, and partners across the South West region by advancing education, advocacy, collaboration, and innovation within public transit.