Start your day with a delicious hot breakfast before we dig into more education, networking, meetings, and more.

Location: Apache Ballroom

Join us for a special presentation by presenting sponsor, Thomas Built Buses.

Location: Apache Ballroom

Sponsored by:
Thomas Built Buses

The single greatest challenge facing school transportation isn’t recruiting and retaining drivers. It is developing the next generation of leaders.

Too many districts wait until someone retires, gets a new job, or suddenly leaves the organization to begin thinking about who will take their place. But the most successful organizations approach leadership development a bit differently. They intentionally look for and develop future leaders years before they are needed.

This presentation gives transportation executives a practical roadmap for creating a sustainable leadership pipeline that will improve culture and retention while preparing your organization for long-term success.

Participants will learn how to:

• Identify potential leaders throughout your organization.

• Create effective mentoring relationships.

• Delegate responsibilities that develop future leaders.

• Proactively build succession plans.

• Leave your lasting leadership legacy.

Location: Apache Ballroom

Speaker: Bernando Brown, Director of Student Transportation, DeKalb County School District

Sit in a small-group presentation from a select industry supplier to learn more about what technologies can help make your operation more efficient. Check your personalized agenda to find out where to go! 

Locations: Apache, Papago I, Papago II, & Council

Network and help yourself to refreshments!

Location: The Trading Post

The most popular part of SBFX! Modeled after speed dating, you'll spend 10 minutes each with vendors carefully selected based on your needs and interests. Check your personalized agenda to find out who you're visiting with and when. Don't worry, we'll make sure we're there to help and assist!

Location: Maricopa

Cheese! Join your fellow attendees in front of the camera for a quick photo opp!

Location: Maricopa

Grab a plate of lunch to refuel before we continue the day!

Location: Apache Ballroom

Celebrate the most inspiring leaders and innovators in the industry! Learn the winner of the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award, sponsored and presented by AngelTrax, as well as the 2026 National Special-Needs Driver of the Year. Plus, the SBF team will present the Administrator of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Trailblazers, and Photo of the Year winners.

Location: Apache Ballroom

Sponsored by: IC Bus

Network and help yourself to snacks!

Location: Trading Post

Attendees, this is where you share your voice! In an interactive polling session, we'll gauge your opinions on topics like your biggest challenge, key leadership qualities, what works to recruit drivers, and more. After the results are in, we'll discuss them together. A highlight from previous years!

Location: Apache Ballroom

Moderator:
Amanda Huggett, School Bus Fleet

Listen in as several industry experts each take the stage for a lightning-fast presentation on lessons learned or powerful success story. Through their lived experience, you’ll learn from their results and be inspired to tackle your own challenges. Presentations will touch on alternative fuels implementation, traffic safety initiatives, working with students with special needs, and handling complex routing. After each lightning talk, the presenters will take the stage to answer your burning questions.

Location: Apache Ballroom

Moderator: Amanda Huggett, School Bus Fleet

Panelists: Teri Mapengo, Prosper ISD

Megan Elsberry, Cleveland ISD

Brad Hayn, Hoover City Schools

Get an update on NAPT’s priorities and activities directly from the association’s CEO! Plus, don’t miss your chance to win a free ticket to attend the ACTS conference!

Presenter: Molly McGee Hewitt, NAPT

Sit in a small-group presentation from a select industry supplier to learn more about what technologies can help make your operation more efficient. Check your personalized agenda to find out where to go! 

Locations: Apache, Papago I, Papago II, & Council

Network and help yourself to snacks

Location: Trading Post

The most popular part of SBFX! Modeled after speed dating, you'll spend 10 minutes each with vendors carefully selected based on your needs and interests. Check your personalized agenda to find out who you're visiting with and when. Don't worry, we'll make sure we're there to help and assist!

Locations: Maricopa

Kick back after a long day with a delicious buffet dinner, bar and great music on the lush resort lawns. Stay and chat with others as long as you'd like!

Music by Adam Townsend Duo.

Location: Paradise Park Lawn