New Format Promises Even Greater Opportunity
By Jacob Herson
Managing Editor
Transit California
The California Transit Association and host agency Omnitrans will present the 57th Annual Fall Conference & Expo at the Ontario Convention Center November 16-22, 2022. In response to an evolving conference industry and calls from our exhibitor community to refresh our expo format, the Association has significantly revamped this year’s Expo Hall and is excited to unveil a new and improved design. “When you gave us your thoughts on the ideal Expo, we paid attention. This year, we’ve incorporated a dynamic new look and feel, with heightened visibility and increased opportunities to showcase your brand and products,” says Erin Meyer, the Association’s Events and Education Director. “The Expo Hall will feature a larger, open-concept exhibit space, which allows for displays and vehicles, as well as custom branding. A product theater will also allow companies to present on the latest technological developments and services. The schedule will include enhanced networking opportunities and additional Expo hours.”
Nova Bus is a year-round Association sponsor and exhibitor for the Fall Conference & Expo. Denton Shuey, Nova Bus Regional Sales Manager, serves on the Association’s Program & Conference Committee. “A huge difference I think the vendors and transit operators will see is the more open concept on the show floor this year,” he said. “Having a bus on display and then having the meeting area to converse right next to it will prove beneficial for all of us! The flow of customers through the Expo will be much more inviting and engaging this year as a result of the changes being made. The Planning Committee is also working diligently on speakers and topics for the tracks, and the Association is listening and engaging with us to make the show even better. I look forward to seeing our California transit operators in November!”
Shuey also commented: “It is important for Nova Bus to attend the Fall Conference & Expo every year. With products changing and the need to generate input from our customer base, it is critical we attend. Nova Bus feels it is in our best interest to be a year-round sponsor, and the ability to have our name in front of the transit operators as much as possible is important to us.”
Hayden AI will be a first-time exhibitor this fall. Reiko Kerr, Director of Government Contracting Support Services, said: “As an Oakland-based company, we recognized that joining the California Transit Association would be an opportunity to connect with fellow Californians and their public transit agencies. It’s also an opportunity for us to show the transit agencies across the Golden State how our automated bus lane and bus stop enforcement technology can help them speed up buses, improve system efficiency, and make bus stops safer, especially for California’s disabled community. Given the passage of AB 917 last year in California, which authorized automated bus enforcement in the state, we’re excited to show transit professionals how our technology works to clear bus lanes and bus stop zones of obstructions.”
Huitt-Zollars will be another first-time exhibitor. Johannes Merkler, Transit Director/Southern California, commented: “Huitt-Zollars hasn’t had the opportunity to participate with the California Transit Association in the past, and we are looking forward to our first conference this year. We feel that it’s a great opportunity to meet the Association’s transit advocates, and post-pandemic, hear and share how new projects are helping return ridership. With the new federal funding, our local agency partners are beginning to develop long-range plans, both capital and operations and maintenance. As transit champions, we look to develop new relationships to fulfill transit goals, and can share some insights. New technology is being implemented every day, and Huitt-Zollars believes working as a team to offer clean, socially equitable transit can be a win-win for better mobility and quality of life.”
Cradlepoint will also be exhibiting for the first time at the Expo this fall. Kimberly Blake, Field Marketing Manager, said, “Cradlepoint was drawn to participate in the Fall Conference & Expo after seeing the many C-level executives from the California transportation industry at the Spring/Summer conference in Sacramento. We anticipate that the fall event will provide a greater opportunity to meet and speak with the executives and other attendees. We look forward to being able to engage with the attendees and share how Cradlepoint technologies such as GPS and vehicle telemetry data, on-board cameras, digital POS, and passenger Wi-Fi are transforming public transit systems — with LTE and 5G connectivity enabling it all.”
To be sure, the new Expo promises an elevated experience and greater potential for return on investment. It’s a win-win that you’ll definitely want to be a part of. To learn more about Sponsorship & Exhibitor opportunities, please contact the Association's Business Development Director Kristian Ross-Patchin at (916) 445-4656 x1492 or email kristian@caltransit.org.