California Transit Association Fall Conference & Expo 2026
Event Date
October 28–30, 2026
Location
Monterey, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe California Transit Association Fall Conference & Expo is the state's premier annual gathering for the public transportation community. The 2026 edition marks the 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo, held in Monterey, California. Presented by Accenture and hosted in partnership with Monterey-Salinas Transit, the multi-day event brings together transit leaders, agency staff, and industry partners from across California and beyond.
Attendees can expect content-rich general sessions and breakouts, an interactive Expo Hall, technical tours, and valuable networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and share best practices across California's transit community. Programming is organized around five core areas: Community Outreach and Community Benefits; Management & Leadership; Maintenance; Operations; and Policy, Innovation & Customer Experience.
The conference is open to both members and non-members, welcoming transit and transportation professionals across all sectors and career stages, public- and private-sector leaders, consultants, industry partners, and students exploring careers in transit, engineering, planning, and policy. Guided by the 2026 theme Connecting Us, it offers a dynamic space to explore innovative solutions, engage with peers, and gain insights into the issues shaping the future of public transportation.
Show Highlights
The 2026 keynote speaker is Leon Panetta — former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, White House Chief of Staff, and co-founder of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy — who will lead a special conversation on leadership and public service. A Monterey native, Panetta brings decades of experience across national security, budget reform, and public policy.
Signature features include:
- Opening General Session & Keynote Address and additional general sessions
- Interactive Expo Hall with a Welcome Reception, Coffee & Expo, and Lunch & Expo functions
- Concurrent breakout sessions across five core program tracks
- Small Operators Awards luncheon recognizing excellence among California's small transit operators
- Student Poster Session, co-sponsored by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University
- Technical Tours showcasing the region's transit operations
- Jim Ditch Golf Tournament at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch (Tuesday, October 27)
- A Thursday evening offsite reception and other networking events
Booth Pricing
Exhibitor booth pricing offers preferred rates for Association members, with two tiers based on the September 1, 2026 early deadline.
Association Members (on/before 9/1/26 — after 9/1/26):
- Standard Booth (10x10): $2,750 — $3,000
- Premium Booth (10x20): $4,000 — $4,250
- Island Booth (20x20): $4,750 — $5,000
- Display Booth (20x40): $5,750 — $6,000
- Vehicle Exhibit: $5,750 — $6,000
Non-Members (on/before 9/1/26 — after 9/1/26):
- Standard Booth (10x10): $3,750 — $4,000
- Premium Booth (10x20): $5,000 — $5,250
- Island Booth (20x20): $5,750 — $6,000
- Display Booth (20x40): $6,750 — $7,000
- Vehicle Exhibit: $6,750 — $7,000
Each exhibit space includes a booth, draped table, company sign, chairs, wastebasket, an electronic attendee list, conference registrations, and participation in prize drawings. Standard Booths receive two full conference registrations; Premium, Island, Display, and Vehicle Exhibits receive four. Signature sponsorships range from Bronze ($3,500) up to Presenting ($25,000) and Titanium ($20,000), with numerous event sponsorship options in between.
Registration
Registration is available online through the official conference website. Registration rates are posted on the Fall Conference registration page.
Key details:
- Early Bird deadline: September 1, 2026
- Full conference registration includes: admission to the Welcome Reception, access to all plenary, keynote, and concurrent sessions, full access to the Expo Hall, the Thursday evening offsite reception, and meals (excluding the Small Operators Awards Lunch).
- Small Operators Awards Luncheon: an add-on ticket priced at $100 (not included with standard registration).
- Onsite registration hours: Wednesday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Cancellations: must be submitted in writing to info@caltransit.org; refunds are issued minus a $35 administrative fee. The attendee cancellation deadline is Thursday, September 15; requests after this date and no-shows will not be refunded.
History
The 2026 event is the 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo, indicating the conference has been held annually for over six decades as the California Transit Association's flagship fall gathering. The 2026 conference carries the theme Connecting Us and is presented by Accenture in partnership with host agency Monterey-Salinas Transit. The prior year's 2025 Fall Conference & Expo included the annual Small Operators Awards, with recipients such as Culver CityBus (Transit Agency of the Year) and Torrance Transit System (Transit Innovation Award). The 62nd Annual Fall Conference & Expo is scheduled for November 17–19, 2027, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, California.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center
Two Portola Plaza
All conference sessions, keynote presentations, and the Small Operators Awards take place at the Portola Hotel & Spa (Two Portola Plaza) and the adjacent Monterey Conference Center (1 Portola Plaza), which are directly connected to provide a centralized, seamless experience for attendees. The Expo Hall serves as a central gathering place throughout the conference for connecting with industry partners, exploring technology, and networking. Student poster displays are featured on easels within the Expo Hall during the Welcome Reception.
Parking
Several parking options are available near the venue in downtown Monterey:
- Downtown Parking Structures: Two City of Monterey garages sit approximately one block from the Conference Center — the Downtown East Garage (Washington & Tyler Streets) and Downtown West Garage (Franklin & Tyler Streets). Both offer the first hour free, then $1.00 per 30 minutes, with a $12.00 daily maximum. Maximum vehicle height is 6 feet 8 inches; rates reset at midnight.
- Hotel Parking: Valet and self-parking are available at the Portola Hotel & Spa and nearby hotels; rates vary and may include in/out privileges for overnight guests.
- Street Parking: Metered parking is available throughout downtown Monterey on a first-come, first-served basis, with varying time limits and rates.
- Additional Parking: Nearby public lots and garages within short walking distance offer more capacity. Arriving early is encouraged during peak conference hours.
Getting There
Nearest airports:
- Monterey Regional Airport (MRY): ~10 minutes from the venue; most convenient but a smaller regional airport with limited service.
- San Jose Mineta International (SJC): ~75 miles / 1.5–2 hours by car; the most commonly used airport with wide domestic service.
- San Francisco International (SFO): ~110 miles / 2–2.5 hours by car; extensive domestic and international flights.
- Oakland International (OAK): ~105 miles / 2–2.5 hours by car.
Ground transportation:
- Transit: Local bus service by Monterey-Salinas Transit runs throughout Monterey and surrounding communities.
- Shuttle: Shared airport shuttles operate daily between SFO, SJC, and Monterey via providers such as Groome Transportation; advance reservations recommended.
- Rental Cars: Available at all major airports and recommended for Central Coast flexibility.
- Rideshare & Taxis: Uber, Lyft, and local taxis are widely available.
By car, Monterey is roughly 1 hour from San Jose, 2 hours from San Francisco, 3 hours from Sacramento, and 5 hours from Los Angeles.
Nearby Hotels
The conference is headquartered at the Portola Hotel & Spa, which is connected to the Monterey Conference Center. The Association reserved a block of discounted rooms at the Portola Hotel & Spa and the Monterey Marriott at a rate of $305 per night, plus tax. Reservations can be made via the official conference housing link through Monday, October 5. Additional downtown Monterey hotels are located within walking distance of the venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 California Transit Association Fall Conference & Expo?
The 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo takes place October 28–30, 2026, in Monterey, California. It is held at the Portola Hotel & Spa and the adjacent Monterey Conference Center at Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940.
Who should attend the conference?
The event is open to both members and non-members and is designed for a broad audience, including transit and transportation professionals across all sectors and career stages, public- and private-sector leaders, consultants, and industry partners. Students and emerging professionals exploring careers in transit, engineering, planning, and policy are also welcome.
Who is the keynote speaker for 2026?
The 2026 keynote speaker is Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, and White House Chief of Staff, who co-founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. He will lead a special keynote conversation on leadership and public service.
How do I register and what does registration include?
Registration is available online through the conference website, with an Early Bird deadline of September 1, 2026. Full registration includes access to all plenary, keynote, and concurrent sessions, the Expo Hall, the Welcome Reception, the Thursday evening offsite reception, and meals, excluding the Small Operators Awards Lunch which is a $100 add-on.
How much does it cost to exhibit?
Association members pay from $2,750 for a Standard 10x10 booth up to $5,750 for a Display or Vehicle Exhibit when registering on or before September 1, 2026, with higher rates afterward. Non-member rates start at $3,750 for a Standard booth, and each exhibit space includes booth furnishings, an attendee list, and conference registrations.
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