Joseph M. Casey, GM
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Philadelphia
I look forward to meeting with my peers to discuss transportation issues and best practices and visiting the exhibits featuring new industry technology. The fact that APTA is honoring SEPTA Board Chairman Pat Deon with the Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award, makes this year’s EXPO even more exciting and special.

Mark Donaghy, Executive Director
Dayton RTA
Dayton, Ohio
So what do I look forward to?  The latest gadgetry to improve customer service and their experience, new models our bus manufacturers display and the advances in maintenance technology, not to mention the salespeople who must  listen to my stories about how hard it was to drive a bus 38 years ago as opposed to my wife, who can simply go on a sightseeing tour. Catching up with friends, the smell of free beer and pretzels, ah yes, as close to nirvana as we can get.

Ann D. August, Executive Director
Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority
Birmingham, Ala.
This year at the APTA EXPO, I am looking forward to the various workshops that are being sponsored. Especially those in the ‘Learning Zone.’ I believe, this is one of the best opportunities APTA could have offered to transit systems. It will provide those in attendance the chance to attend these valuable workshops; especially, with all of the upcoming changes anticipated with MAP-21. I along with several of my staff and board members are excited about the many vendors that are scheduled to be in attendance as well. This will be a first time for several of them, and I am encouraging them to get involved, meet their peers, network and experience transit in a different environment.

Ron Garrison, President/GM
Memphis Area Transit Authority
Memphis, Tenn.
I look forward to seeing all forms of transit technology, watching demonstrations, and learning how we can improve the quality of service for our customers and employees. I call it ‘idea week,’ because we network and share information. We see old acquaintances and make new friends at the EXPO. A brief conversation can lead to establishing a new policy, savings and a more efficient way of doing business. The EXPO is ultimately about helping our customers have a better experience every time they use our service.

Donna DeMartino, GM/CEO
San Joaquin Regional Transit District
Stockton, Calif.
There are many things I am looking forward to at the APTA EXPO; it is always a great learning opportunity. We at San Joaquin RTD have two primary objectives this year. We are planning to purchase a new intelligent transportation system. We know that all of the major vendors will be available and providing demos on the EXPO floor, which will allow us to examine what is available in a very short period of time. In addition, our newest board member will be attending and the APTA EXPO sessions and displays will certainly help him better understand the business of transit.

Kevin Desmond, GM
King County Metro
Seattle
The APTA Annual Conference and EXPO — so much to do and see in so little time. Reconnecting with and sharing trends and best practices with industry colleagues is always high on my ‘to do’ list at the Annual. I am especially eager to take in the conference programs that are focusing on the new generation of transit customers who are already reshaping our industry; how the industry responds across the country will be key to our success in the years ahead. On the EXPO floor, I am very excited about the Livable and Sustainable Communities Learning Zone. I hope a lot of people check it out.