T2050 @Mesa Convention Center > SWTA Conference

Host: City of Mesa, Valley Metro, ADOT and AzTA.
SWTA 2016
Freedom Through Transit Conference
February 1-3, 2016
Meet you in Mesa, Arizona - just a light rail ride from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  

Catching the tail-end of the second day in the vendor Expo, they looked like they were still having fun after the first day. 
That came as a surprise as these regional industry conferences tend to go on and on, session after session, constant parade of speakers, etc. Ya-de-ya - you all know that scenario, right?
Attendees at this conference just didn't impress yours truly like that,
could be the character in the image to the right had something to do with the light-hearted tone of people on the second day - take a look at the dude. 
He's prominently featured in the conference program
General Session 4: DEALING WITH LIFE, Josh Blue
Join SWTA as we host this presenter who will shed some comedic light on less light-hearted transit topics.
Josh Blue, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, puts the cerebral in Cerebral Palsy.
Josh continues to break down stereotypes of people with disabilities, one laugh at a time.
Facebook: facebook.com/officaljoshblue /
Twitter: @JoshBlueComedy
The event planners had also arranged to have an autograph session.
You can imagine what that might have looked like, or you can see all that in the links 
Josh Blue, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, puts the cerebral in Cerebral Palsy.

What to expect:
Hear from industry leaders.
See the latest technology and products.
Know transit’s current status, straight from FTA and DOT.
Laugh with our guest presenter and comedian, Josh Blue.
Who's coming to Mesa?
FTA Headquarters is providing leadership staff to provide vision, guidance and hands-on help for all areas of your transit business.

• Therese McMillan, Acting FTA Administrator, will address how the FAST Act affects the SWTA Nation.
• James Harper Jr, FTA Director of Procurement, will provide definitive information for your next procurement.
• Cecelia Comito, FTA Assistant Chief Counsel, General Law will address Buy America.
• Selene Faer Dalton-Kumins, FTA Director, Office of Program Oversight, Transit Safety & Oversight will address Triennial Reviews in a new way to help you succeed.

Golfers love Phoenix in winter! Right?
So every day started off with golf, even the day before the conference
Talking Stick Golf Club a Ben Crenshaw designed course/Arnold Palmer managed
9998 East Indian Bend Road • Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Tee-Off.com gives this course 4 out of 5 starshttps://talkingstickgolfclub.com/

General Session 1: HOST SESSION - FREEDOM IN THE VALLEY
Hear the benefits of public transit to Mesa and the region, the success story of the T2050 transportation plan and funding initiative and the future of public transit in the Valley from our hosts, the City of Mesa and Valley METRO.
Mayor John Giles, City of Mesa
Maria Hyatt, City of Phoenix, Public Transit Director
Eric Anderson, Maricopa Association of Governments
Scott Smith, Valley Metro, Interim CEO.
[Sponsored by: McDonald Transit]
More information >> South West Transit Association