2025 MN/WI Public Transit Conference

Join Wisconsin and Minnesota Transit Associations for the 2025  Joint Conference and transit Expo at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN

These three days will be packed with great opportunities to network, connect and learn along with fellow transit professionals from both states.

**For Minnesota participants - If your transit agency receives FTA Section 5310 or 5311 funding or is a Tribal Transit provider, you may be eligible for an RTAP scholarship to attend. Agencies receiving FTA Section 5307 funding are not eligible for scholarships. 5311-funded systems are encouraged to use operating dollars first before requesting a scholarship. More information on applying for a scholarship is available on the RTAP website.

Monday, October 6, 2025

8:00 AM                                       Registration Opens

9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon                  All Aboard WI Meeting

                                                     WAMM Meeting

                                                     Operations/Paratransit Roundtable

10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon                 Training Session I – 

                                                             Security Issues at Transit Systems

                                                             Alexander Isaak, William Craigie, TSA

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM                      Training Session II – 

                                                                       Customer Service/Problem Riders

                                                                       Curtis Sims, CS Consulting

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM                      CEO Summit 

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM                      MPTA Annual Meeting 

                                                     WIPTA Annual Meetings 

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM                      Welcome Reception (Hors d'oeuvres) 

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

7:30 AM                                       Registration Opens/ Breakfast Provided

8:15 AM - 11:00 AM                     Maintenance Roundtable Meeting

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM                   General Session –

                                                     Welcome – Mayor of Rochester

                                                     WIPTA/MPTA Presidents

                                                     Keynote Speaker

Tim Eggebraaten - Finding Your Beat, the Rhythm of Life.

We all face challenges that create our beat in life when balancing family, careers, and struggling to find time for ourselves and our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Prepare to be energized, inspired, and entertained as “The Off Duty Chief” shares strategies and tactics for working YOUR BEAT!

10:00 am to 11:00 AM                  Break in Expo Hall –

11:00 am to 12:00 Noon               Break-Out Sessions

                                                      Bus Maintenance

                                                      Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

                                                      Transit Technology

                                                      Tribal Transit Topics

12:00 Noon to 2:30 PM                Lunch In Expo Hall

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM                     Tour of Bus Garage

                                                     Tour of Mayo Residence

6:30 PM                                       TransDev Reception (Hors d'oeuvres) 

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

7:30 AM                                         Registration/Breakfast Provided 

8:00 AM to 9:15 AM                     General Session 

Sarah Fecht – Best Self Leadership The Ripple Effect: Becoming the Leader Others Choose to Follow

Regardless of your ideal career or lofty aspirations, you can significantly enhance your impact by embracing the role of an influencer and cultivating meaningful connections.

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM                    Break-Out Sessions

Rural Transit Fleet Mix 

Comparison of MN and WI Transit Funding 

FTA Updates

Procurement

Bus Rapid Transit  

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM                  Break

11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon              Break-Out Sessions

Paratransit – In House or Contracted

Driver Recruitment and Retention Best Practices

Transit Technology – Autonomous Vehicles

MnDOT Update/WisDOT Update

Fatigue Management

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM         Lunch with Keynote Speaker 

Federal Transit Funding: The Latest News

Scott Bogren, CTAA Art Guzzetti, APTA Kelley Brookins, FTA