Despite initial fears associated with the approach of Hurricane Rita, the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) annual meeting commenced this weekend in Dallas with large crowds and a busy slate of meetings and press events.

The annual conference, complemented by what is considered the world’s largest public transportation exhibition, is expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees over the next three days.

According to APTA President Bill Millar, attendance may be affected slightly by an intense national media focus on Hurricane Rita, which was expected to bring bad weather to the Dallas metropolitan area. The storm’s effects were barely felt.

APTA’s board of directors, business members and dozens of committees held annual gatherings Saturday and Sunday, highlighted by the association’s annual business meeting and election of officers.

Despite concerns over the storm, the APTA EXPO set an all-time record this year with more than 800 organizations exhibiting their products and services.