STN | School Bus Expo 2026
Event Date
July 9–15, 2026
Location
Reno, NV
About This Show
AI-drafted summarySTN EXPO West is a multi-day training and networking conference for the school transportation industry, produced by School Transportation News (STN Media Group). It is an innovative six-day training and networking event taking place in Reno, Nevada. The conference and trade show brings together student transportation leaders to have conversations that are making the difference in the pupil transportation industry.
The event draws school district transportation directors, private fleet managers, supervisors, trainers, industry suppliers and OEMs. Attending gives you access to school bus safety and student transportation training, peer-to-peer networking and the most innovative products and technology companies, all under one roof.
Programming spans hands-on training, keynote presentations, panel discussions, product demonstrations and specialty summits focused on green fleets and bus technology. It is a professional, industry-only gathering rather than a public consumer show, making it worthwhile for anyone responsible for operating, equipping or advancing a school bus fleet.
Show Highlights
- Keynote speakers: Industry-leading speakers including Bruce Turkel and Charles Kriete share expertise to help propel the transportation sector forward.
- Transportation Director Summit: An exclusive leadership event that begins July 9 at the Peppermill and continues July 10 at the Chateau at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe. It is designed exclusively for qualified transportation directors as a two-day leadership and networking experience that blends together school district leaders, private fleet managers, industry suppliers and OEMs.
- Green Bus Summit & Bus Technology Summit: The Ride and Drive event, held in conjunction with the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit, takes place July 12.
- Trade Show "Wonderland of Ideas": The trade show opens the evening of July 13 to expose attendees to technological and green solutions needed to optimize their operations, and continues the morning of July 14.
- Safety and security training: Instructors from the S.T.A.R.T program lead a four-hour seminar on how to prepare student transportation professionals for active threats onboard school buses.
- Innovation Choice Awards and closing seminars taught by veteran industry trainers.
Registration
Registration is open for the STN EXPO West conference for 2026. Registration and the full agenda are available at stnexpo.com/west.
Key savings deadlines announced for the 2026 event:
- Super Early Bird pricing saves $200 on main conference registration, available through April 10, 2026.
- Early Bird Savings of $100 on main conference registration are available when you act by June 5.
The program includes a main conference pass plus optional specialty experiences such as the Transportation Director Summit (for qualified directors), the Green Bus Summit, the Bus Technology Summit and pre-conference seminars.
History
STN EXPO is produced by School Transportation News (STN Media Group). STN Media Group is a source for news and trends affecting the safe and efficient transportation of North American school children, read both by those who work in the industry and those in related local, state and federal agencies and national associations. The Reno (West) edition is an annual summer gathering held at the Peppermill Resort dedicated to advancing school transportation trends and technology.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 South Virginia Street
The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is Reno's premier AAA Four Diamond resort, boasting 1,621 luxurious guest rooms, including the 600-room all-suite Tuscany Tower. It features an 82,000-square-foot casino and race & sports book. The property also includes a three-story, 33,000-square-foot Spa & Salon Toscana with 24 treatment rooms. Additional amenities include a 9,900-square-foot fitness center; two pools and three outdoor jetted spas heated with on-site geothermal energy; designer boutique shopping; an assortment of bars and lounges including the iconic Fireside Lounge; and award-winning restaurants offering Chinese, Italian, steaks and chops, seafood, deli and café dining.
Parking
Self-parking in the Peppermill's parking garage is free for all visitors and hotel guests. The complimentary self parking is in a covered garage which uses geothermal heating for defrosting in the colder months. RV and oversized vehicle parking is available for hotel guests only, and EV and Tesla charging stations are available on site. The parking garage entrance is easily seen from South Virginia Street with large, clear signage.
Getting There
The Peppermill Resort is located just 15 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). The Peppermill offers a complimentary airport shuttle to and from Reno-Tahoe International Airport; shuttles depart the hotel's valet area every half hour from 4:00 a.m. with a last departure at 11:30 p.m., and from the airport they run every half hour from 4:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., picking up at the North exit of Baggage Claim. Car rental or rideshare services such as Uber, Lyft or taxi are also available. Attendees driving to the airport can book airport parking with CheapAirportParking and enter discount code STNWest to receive a 20% discount.
Nearby Hotels
The Peppermill Resort is the host hotel, so most attendees stay on-site. The Peppermill Resort Hotel is the official host hotel for the STN EXPO Reno. Rooms are available at the conference rate of $150 per night in the Peppermill Tower and $190 per night in the Tuscany Tower.
Other lodging in the immediate South Virginia Street area includes:
- Atlantis Casino - about a 14-minute walk (0.8 miles)
- Element Reno Experience District - about 0.4 miles
- Econo Lodge Near Reno-Sparks Convention Center - about 0.62 miles
- Comfort Inn & Suites Airport Convention Center - about 1.04 miles
Note: STN Media Group is the official event manager for the STN EXPO Reno and does not work with any outside third-party vendors for hotel and travel booking, so beware of travel scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is STN EXPO West 2026 taking place?
STN EXPO West 2026 is scheduled for July 9–15, 2026 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference begins July 9 with a pre-conference seminar and concludes July 15 with a half-day training session.
Who should attend STN EXPO West?
The event is designed for school transportation professionals, including school district transportation directors, private fleet managers, supervisors, trainers, industry suppliers and OEMs. It provides school bus safety training, peer networking and access to the latest products and technology.
How do I register and are there any discounts?
Registration is open at stnexpo.com/west. Super Early Bird pricing saved $200 on main conference registration through April 10, 2026, and Early Bird Savings offered $100 off for those who registered by June 5.
What are the signature events at STN EXPO West?
Highlights include the Transportation Director Summit at the Chateau at Incline Village on Lake Tahoe, the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit with a Ride and Drive event on July 12, and the trade show 'Wonderland of Ideas' opening July 13. Keynote speakers include Bruce Turkel and Charles Kriete.
Where should I stay and how do I get to the venue?
The Peppermill Resort is the official host hotel, with conference rates of $150 per night in the Peppermill Tower and $190 in the Tuscany Tower. The resort is about 15 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and offers a complimentary airport shuttle plus free self-parking.
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