2026 Missouri Transit Conference Agenda

CONFERENCE AGENDA

We are currently confirming all speakers and topics for our upcoming conference. Below is a draft agenda that we will update as presenters are confirmed.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | MPTA Board Luncheon
• 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Registration for 2026 Missouri Transit Conference
• 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Training Workshop – Mindfulness in the Workplace, presented by Bill Parsons of RWC Training
• 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Rooftop Welcome Reception: Celebrating 45 Years of the Missouri Public Transit Association

Thursday, September 3, 2026

• 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Desk Open
• 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast with Exhibitors
• 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Conference Welcome: MPTA President Matt Crawford, MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger, FTA Region VII Administrator Carrie Butler
• 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | General Plenary I: Transit Leader Panel moderated by Paul Comfort
• 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | General Plenary II: Deep Dive on the Federal Front – Scott Bogren, CTAA
• 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Morning Break
• 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
  • Driving Rural Transit
    • MoDOT & RTAP: Latest Updates for Missouri Rural Transit
  • Team Building for Transit
    • Find Your X-Factor – Paul Comfort, Transit Unplugged and Modaxo
  • The Future of Transit
    • The Other Side of Free Fare – Tyler Means, KCATA
  • Mobile Workshop
    • Onsite Tour of OATS Transit Mid-MO Region Office, Maintenance Facility & Corporate Headquarters
• 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
  • Driving Rural Transit
    • Effective Messaging for Recruitment and Employee Retention for Cost-effectiveness – Transit Workforce Center
  • Team Building for Transit
    • FTA Region VII Workshop
  • The Future of Transit
    • Making Your Transit Message Matter – The Hauser Group PR Firm
  • Mobile Workshop
    • Go COMO Transit Tour
• 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | MPTA Annual Meeting Luncheon & Operator and FTA Region VII Awards
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
  • Driving Rural Transit
    • Drug & Alcohol Training – The Volpe Center
  • Team Building for Transit
    • Advocacy Workshop
  • Future of Transit
    • MoDOT InterCity Bus Study Results
  • Mobile Workshop
    • Walk Audit with Local Motion – Assessing Streets for a More Connected Community
• 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Afternoon Break
• 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
  • Driving Rural Transit
    • Drug & Alcohol Training Continued – The Volpe Center
  • Team Building for Transit
    • FTA Region VII Workshop
  • The Future of Transit
    • AI in the Transit Industry
  • Mobile Workshop
    • Walk Audit with Local Motion – Continued
• 4:00 | Conference Adjourns