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2026 Michigan Public Transportation Conference

August 17, 2026 8:00 AM - August 19, 2026 3:00 PM (EDT)

Description

The Michigan Public Transportation Conference is a three-day program that brings together top leaders from Michigan transit agencies, specialized service providers, MDOT, and business partners to discuss key issues.

The program includes a pre-conference golf outing and networking reception, keynote remarks, numerous general and breakout sessions, and numerous meals and refreshment breaks.

A large vendor show typically features more than 60 booths, as well as transit vehicles and equipment displays and opportunities for prize giveaways.

The beautiful northern Michigan host venue, Crystal Mountain Resort, provides a variety of lodging options, many recreation activities, and unparalleled opportunities for on-property attendee interaction.

Attendees typically include more than 165 transit leaders from 70+ providers, as well as 30+ MDOT and FTA leaders and 70+ vendors.

MPTA also utilizes the highly interactive Whova conference app for attendee engagement.

Program Overview:

  • Monday, August 17
    • 9:00am-2:30pm - Golf Outing and lunch
    • 2:00-5:00pm - Vendor show move-in
    • 3:00 - 5:00pm - Attendee registration open
    • 4:00pm - Distillery Tour & Cocktail Mixology Class
    • 6:00pm - Opening Reception and Dinnerwith Vendors
  • Tuesday, August 18
    • Morning - Opening Sessions
    • 9:30am - 12:00pm - Vendor Show
    • Afternoon - General and Breakout Sessions
    • Evening - Dinner and Social Activities
  • Wednesday, August 19
    • Morning - Breakout Sessions
    • Lunch - Awards Ceremony
    • Early Afternoon - Conclusion

Program Registration: 

  • $325 for individuals, $280 early discounted rate (before July 17).

Awards:

The 2026 Michigan Transit Impact Awards will consider nominations in several categories:

  • Michigan Transit Rising Star
  • Innovative Transit Project
  • Outstanding Communications Project
  • Friend of Michigan Transit
  • Michigan Transit Photo Contest

A group of transit leaders and stakeholders will be reviewing nominations and selecting the initial awards, to be given during the Michigan Public Transportation Conference on August 19 at Crystal Mountain Resort. Nominations are welcome by Friday, July 10, but the sooner the better!

Please click here to submit an awards nomination.

Lodging:

  • Please note that your lodging arrangements must be made separately.

  • Crystal Mountain on-site lodging:
    • Please click here to access the Crystal Mountain room block. The event dates will automatically populate; the arrival and departure dates may be adjusted but please note that there could be a minimum night stay requirement.
    • For any questions or reservation assistance, please call 1-855-520-2974 and reference group number 46P2SZ or MPTA. We recommend all attendees inquire about waitlist options if your desired room types appear unavailable.

Pre-Conference Golf Outing (separate registration) 

  • The Alan Hartley Memorial Golf Outing will take place on Monday, August 17 with a breakfast, followed by a shotgun start at 9:00am.
  • Golf outing fees are $145 per person ($110 early discounted rate before July 17)  – includes 18 holes of golf with cart on the beautiful Betsie Valley course, breakfast, lunch, on-course beverage, and multiple prize opportunities.

Pre-Conference Distillery Tour Cocktail Class (separate registration)

  • Attendees can enjoy a tour or cocktail mixology class at the nearby Iron Fish Distillery (shuttle provided).
  • The Distillery Overview Tour will provide an overview of the history of the farm and the origin of Iron Fish Distillery. The journey continues through the distillery, following the grains from field-to-glass, through the milling, mashing, fermentation and distillation processes. The tour ends with tasting of three award-winning spirits in the rickhouses. Ages 21 and up, 30 minutes in length (plus any shopping or other drinks); cost is $15 per person paid at the distillery.
  • The Cocktail Mixology Class will begin with an overview of the spirits and an walkthrough of the flavor profile, ingredients, and structure of making a craft cocktail. Attendees will build and bartend their own custom drink and will take home their own custom recipe cards. Ages 21 and up, 30 minutes in length (plus any shopping or other drinks); cost is $35 per person paid at the distillery.
  • As both experiences will take place at 4:00pm, participants should register in advance for just one of these experiences. This leaves plenty of time for anyone interested in golf and returning well before the evening reception and dinner.

Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Tuesday Vendor Show - $800 for members; $1,000 for nonmembers ($75 early discount before July 17)
    • Tuesday, August 18 - 9:30am - 12:00pm - note expanded time!
    • Includes 8-foot vendor booth with signage, electricity, one conference registration and all meals
    • $250 for additional conference registrations; no charge for additional vendor show support. 
    • Vehicle display add-on: vendor rate plus $300 per vehicle

    • Vendors are also encouraged to provide a prize for the vendor show raffle and one bottle of alcohol (sponsor-tagged) for the attendee ring-toss game
    • All exhibitors will have access to the conference Whova App, which includes powerful engagement tools.
    • All exhibitors are encouraged to join a conference orientation webinar on Monday, August 3 at 1:00pm ET to review important conference information.
    • Note: membership dues must be paid up to receive discounted rates.

Golf Sponsorship opportunities:

  • Golf Gold Sponsor- $1,000 – 1 available
    • Includes two golf registrations, recognition on all communications, and brief remarks
  • Golf Contest Hole Sponsor– $500 – 5 available
    • Men’s/Women’s Closest to Hole and Longest Drive, and Putt for Dough
    • Includes recognition on all communications and presentation of awards

Conference Sponsorship opportunities:

  • Conference Diamond- $4,500 – 1 available
    • Includes vendor booth, three conference registrations, recognition on all communications, brief remarks at welcome, and inclusion of materials in welcome bag
  • Conference Ruby- $2,400 – 3 available
    • Includes vendor booth, two conference registrations, recognition on all communications, and inclusion of materials in welcome bag
  • Conference Emerald- $1,400 – 8 available
    • Includes vendor booth, one conference registration, and recognition on all communications 
  • Conference Attendee badge sponsor- $1,200 – 1 available
    • Includes custom name/logo on attendee name badges
  • Conference Attendee gift sponsor- $300 – 2 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications and distribution of sponsor’s promotional item to all attendees
  • Conference Attendee ring toss game (NEW)
    • Bring one bottle of alcohol (sponsor-tagged) for ring toss game; attendees/vendors can purchase wristbands to toss to try and win the prizes!
  • Conference Breakfast sponsor– $500 – 2 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications and materials on breakfast tables
  • Conference Lunch sponsor– $700 – 2 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications, materials on lunch tables, and brief remarks at lunch
  • Conference Dinner sponsor– $850 – 1 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications, materials on dinner tables, and brief remarks at dinner 
  • Conference Breaks sponsor- $850 – 1 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications, verbal recognition, and materials at break stations
  • Crystal Coaster activity- $1,200 – 1 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications, verbal recognition, and signage at event
  • Ice Cream Bar sponsor- $800 – 1 available
    • Includes recognition on all communications, verbal recognition, and signage at station
  • Evening Social Reception– $800 – 6 co-hosts available
    • Includes recognition on all communications and verbal recognition

Please click here for more sponsorships info.

Note: Attendee lists will be provided for vendors and/or sponsors at the $800 level or above.

Whova App:


  • We will again be using the interactive Whova App for conference sessions, Q&A, discussion, and more.
  • Please look for a future email announcement with instructions to download and use. Please note that the app requires that each attendee use a unique email (either work or personal) associated with their registration; keep this in mind if multiple attendees are registered under the same email.

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Contact Information

Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA)
Name: Pink Cianciolo
Phone: (517) 324-0858
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