SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026

The South West Transit Association (SWTA) is proud to officially announce the launch of SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026, a new active learning experience designed specifically for public transit professionals seeking leadership development, practical training, strategic collaboration, and industry innovation. Taking place September 13--15, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado, SWTA Summer Leadership Lab represents the next evolution of SWTA's SummerU programming and is intentionally designed to feel different from a traditional conference experience. Built around collaboration, real-world problem solving, interactive workshops, and peer-to-peer engagement, Summer Leadership Lab will bring together public transportation professionals from across the region and beyond for three days of leadership conversations, communications strategy, mobility innovation, and legal education focused specifically on the transit industry. The event will begin Monday, September 14, with the Public Transit Legal Symposium, a full-day legal and compliance experience designed specifically for transit executives, legal counsel, HR professionals, compliance teams, procurement professionals, and risk managers. Monday evening will feature an opening networking reception welcoming attendees to Leadership Lab and providing opportunities to connect with industry peers and partners. Tuesday's programming will feature a shared Leadership, Marketing & Mobility Lab experience focused on collaboration, innovation, communications, leadership development, and emerging trends within public transportation. SWTA Summer Leadership Lab is strategically positioned ahead of CASTA's Fall Conference and the State & Tribal Partnerships Conference, creating an expanded week of networking, collaboration, and professional development opportunities.