APTA Business Members Hold Successful Annual Meeting
1/31/2025

A record-setting 170 business members met Jan. 28-31 at APTA’s 2025 Business Members Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA. The meeting comes at a time of uncertainty in government policy and funding with a new Congress and a new Administration. This was the focus for much of the meeting.
Attendees represented a wide spectrum of organizations, including bus and railcar manufacturing, engineering consultants, suppliers, cyber and technology companies, contractors and builders, and small businesses.

In welcoming attendees, Ray Melleady, president, STER North America LLC, and chair of the Business Members Board of Governors, explained how business members creating jobs is vital to APTA’s advocacy efforts.
APTA Chair MJ Maynard, CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, participated in roundtable sessions on the most effective strategies for businesses to sell to the transit industry. Panelists discussed evaluation criteria, the challenges they face in procurement, and the specific needs and priorities of their agencies.
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas urged attendees to not only communicate with elected officials in Washington about the positive impacts of transit funding on their companies, but to bring federal and state elected officials to their plants and work sites to see transit dollars in action.

Meeting sessions included updates on navigating the new Congress and Administration, modernizing transit contracts and procurement, attracting and retaining workers, and a Transit CEOs roundtable focused on upcoming capital programs and how to do business with agencies.
A fundraising dinner was held to support the American Public Transportation Foundation, with a 2025 goal of raising more than $50,000. Host agency, SunLine, provided a tour of its innovative zero-emission facility.

Prior to the meeting, approximately 40 attendee-volunteers participated in a community service activity at the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue center, where they helped paint, stain, and clear the facility.