2026 Rural Transit Managers Workshop (RTMW)
4/14/2026 - 4/15/2026
Description
The Rural Transit Managers Workshop (RTMW) is a two-day program providing essential training tailored to rural transit managers and specialized service providers. The workshop includes refresher training on essential topics, timely updates of concern, roundtable discussions, and many opportunities for engaging with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) staff.
Attendees typically include nearly 100 directors and managers from 50+ Michigan transit providers, as well as 20+ MDOT staff.
The agenda allows for regular meals, refreshment breaks, and an evening networking reception.
MPTA also utilizes the highly interactive Whova conference app for attendee engagement.
Individual Registration:
- $200 for individuals, $175 early discounted rate before March 14
Agenda:
Tuesday, April 14
- 7:30am Registration & breakfast available
- 8:15am Welcome & introductions
- 8:30am MDOT Fundamentals for Success: What Rural Transits Need to Know
- 9:45am Sucession Planning for Transit Agencies
- 10:45am Morning break
- 11:00am Board Governance Fundamentals: Roles, Culture, and Accountability (Part 1)
- 11:00am CyberSecurity Best Practices for Transit Agencies
- 11:50am Lunch
- 12:50pm Strengthening Board Performance: Advanced Governance Practices (Part 2
- 12:50pm Dementia Awareness for Transit Professionals
- 1:40pm Beyond the Farebox: Revenue & Service Innovations
- 2:30pm Networking Break & Peer Exchange Roundtables
- 3:10pm HR Without an HR Department: Practical Guidance for Transit Leaders
- 4:00pm Legal Issues in Transit: Ask the Attorney
- 4:50pm Networking reception
- 6:00pm optional hosted or no-host dinners
Wednesday, April 15
- 7:30am Registration & breakfast available
- 8:30am PTIMS in Practice: Questions, Tips, and Demonstrations
- 9:30am Legislative Update and Emerging Transit Funding
- 10:20am Morning break
- 10:35am ADA Compliance Refresher: Updates, Requirements, and Hot Topics
- 10:35am Avoiding Labor Pitfalls: Legal Risks & Best Practices for Transit Agencies
- 11:50am Closing announcements and lunch
- 12:15pm Digital Marketing Training - Kickoff (optional training)
Lodging:
- Please note that your lodging arrangements must be made separately.
- Courtyard Mt. Pleasant at Central Michigan University
$98 per night - book by Friday, March 13
Please click here to book your Courtyard Lodging
Sponsorship Opportunities:
RTMW Attendee badge sponsor-$600 – SOLD!- Includes custom name/logo on attendee name badges
- RTMW Attendee gift sponsor- $250 – 2 available
- Includes recognition on all communications and distribution of sponsor’s promotional item to all attendees
- RTMW Breakfast- $300 – 2 available
- Includes recognition on all communications, materials on breakfast tables, and brief remarks at breakfast
- RTMW Lunch– $300 – 2 available
- Includes recognition on all communications, materials on lunch tables, and brief remarks at lunch
- RTMW Breaks- $500 – 1 available
- Includes recognition on all communications, verbal recognition, and materials at break stations
- RTMW Evening Networking Reception- $750 – 1 available
- Includes recognition on all communications & materials at evening networking reception for all attendees
- RTMW Hosted Group Dinner – 1 available
- Host a group dinner for pre-registered individual attendees at a nearby restaurant
- Please click here for more sponsorships info.
Whova App:
- We will again be using the interactive Whova App for conference sessions, Q&A, discussion, and more.
- Please click here to download the Whova App or access it online (use the same email you registered with)
Images
- $200 for individuals, $175 early discounted rate before March 14
2400 East Campus Drive
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 United States
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