2026 APTA Workforce Summit for Industry Executives and Practitioners
4/17/2026
Meet the three industry leaders working with a national team to help define the variables for the transportation industry’s workforce to succeed in the new AI era. Derik Calhoun, Dr. Ethan Benatan, and Yvonne Lopez-Diaz are working with APTA staff and APTA members to curate sessions that share strategies and solutions for the transportation industry.
Join the workforce summit for:
- Cross-functional insights bridging operations, technology, and people strategy
- Actionable frameworks and templates
- Real-world case studies from organizations actively solving workforce challenges
In the past, workforce conversations were considered “HR” challenges. The 2026 APTA Workforce Summit holds us all accountable for the challenges our industry faces today: build, sustain, and future-proof a workforce capable of delivering results in an increasingly complex environment.
At the summit, CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, COOs, and practitioners will explore how they are navigating rapid technological changes, talent shortages, and shifting employee expectations together.
- For CEOs, the summit is about alignment. The roundtable discussion will share how AI, AV, and technology investments are used in operations. In addition, the session will tap into the support, strategic priorities, and organizational growth, required to support the industry’s workforce.
- For CIOs and CTOs, the summit offers a critical lens to take a closer look at how workforce capabilities must evolve alongside emerging technologies. AI, AV, and data-driven decision-making are only as powerful as the people who implement and manage them.
- For COOs, the summit is about operational continuity. Summit sessions will help explore how technology can assist the workforce in meeting future demands while maintaining safety and customer service.
- For HR practitioners, the summit brings all of these perspectives together in one place.
2026 is the time to enable a more integrated, enterprise-wide approach to recruitment, retention, training, and engaging the workforce.