It's official! SESPTC is headed to Virginia! It is my privilege to announce the 70th annual Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference (SESPTC) to be held in Hampton, Virginia in conjunction with the Virginia Association of Pupil Transportation (VAPT). The SESPTC draws its Executive Board of Directors and delegates exclusively from the fourteen member states. Proudly, it is the oldest and one of the most prestigious regional conferences on school transportation in the nation. Since its inception in 1951, SESPTC participants have consistently been at the forefront in promoting safe, secure, effective and efficient transportation to our school children.

This year's conference will include a dynamic Keynote Speaker, three learning tracks to include Leadership, Special Needs and specifically designed for our school bus Technicians. We have many phenomenal speakers on this year's agenda as well as workshops on a wide array of important topics including Alternative Fuel, Electric Vehicles, transporting students with disabilities, driver recruitment, security and student management

Your continued support through the participation of staff from your agency's school transportation administration office is essential to the success of this conference. School district delegates at this conference look to leadership from the state office and benefits greatly from interaction with state officials during the course of this professional development. By popular demand, we are planning a State Leadership Forum where State Directors and local directors are encouraged to attend to discuss new regulations, federal initiatives and other relevant topics. Thanks to the unwavering support of industry sponsors and exhibitors, the cost of attending this conference and training remain very affordable at $185.00 per delegate and it includes one guest.

Thank you for the important role you and your employees play in the safe transportation of school children. Should you have questions or need additional information regarding this conference, please feel free to contact myself or one of our Executive Board members.

Finally, on behalf of the SESPTC Board of Directors, we thank you in advance for supporting this educational initiative and look forward to seeing you in Hampton!

Leonard Swilley
President, Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference