Conference Program
APTA Program and Schedules are subject to change.
| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST
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Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031808:0009:00 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST
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Breakfast & New Attendee Meet Up
Whether you're new to the meeting, APTA, or the industry, this informal session will enable you to get the highest return on your investment. You'll get an overview of the business committee structure, information on how to get involved, and tips for how to make the most of your APTA experience. Grab your breakfast & join us.
Speaker(s): Facilitator: Buddy Coleman, Immediate Past Chair, APTA BMBG; and Chief Customer Officer, Clever Devices Ltd.Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031708:0009:00 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM EST
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Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031710:4511:15 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST
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Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031715:0015:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM EST
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Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031810:1510:45 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A Foyer, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031612:0017:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM EST
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Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031712:1513:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM EST
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Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031814:1514:45 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
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Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031717:0018:00 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
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APTF Fundraiser Dinner
Come together one last time to celebrate and raise funds for the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF). All attendees and registered guests are welcome and are invited to make a donation of any size towards meeting our fundraising goal.
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031818:0020:00 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EST
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Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031812:0013:15 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
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Welcome Reception
It's networking time! Join your colleagues for food, drinks, and great conversation.
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Atrium, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031618:0019:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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Speed Networking
Join us for a dynamic and engaging speed networking session designed to foster new connections and strengthen existing relationships. In this fast-paced format, you'll have the opportunity engage in several brief, impactful conversations to share insights, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities. Expand your network, learn about industry trends, and leave with valuable connections that can drive your business forward.
Location: Savannah Ballroom B, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom B, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031715:3017:00 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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Closing Remarks
Speaker(s): Closing Remarks: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President, STER North America LLCLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031816:4517:00 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
2:45 PM - 4:45 PM EST
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CEO Roundtable & Breakouts
Gain exclusive insights from the heads of leading transit agencies in a unique roundtable and small group discussions. Learn their perspectives on the most effective strategies for businesses to sell to the transit industry. Discover their evaluation criteria, the challenges they face in procurement, and the specific needs and priorities of their agencies. Network directly with industry leaders and gain valuable advice on how to tailor your offerings to meet the specific needs of transit agencies.
Speaker(s): Panelist: Stephanie Cutter, Interim CEO, Chatham Area Transit Authority Panelist: Nathaniel Ford, Chief Executive Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority Panelist: MJ Maynard-Carey, Immediate Past Chair, APTA; and Chief Executive Officer, RTC of Southern Nevada Panelist: Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Valley Metro Panelist: Joel Young, Vice-Chair, APTA ; and Board Member, AC Transit Moderator: Julie Timm, Director of Mobility, Moffatt & NicholLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031814:4516:45 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM EST
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Building Trusted AI for Transit: Safety, Service, and Security
Public transit is under pressure to modernize—improving reliability, safety, and the rider experience—while navigating limited budgets and evolving cyber threats. AI can be a game-changer, but only when it’s deployed with trust and governance at the core. This session brings together transit innovators and business partners to explore how secure, responsible AI can accelerate outcomes without compromising resilience or public confidence.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Christina Belmont, Vice President of Marketing, SDI Panelist: David Jackson, Managing Partner – Transportation Industry Lead, Gartner Consulting, Inc. Panelist: Arben Istrefi, Head of US Growth & Partnerships, Delphisonic Inc.Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031809:1510:15 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM EST
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FTA Alums: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and the Private Sector
This panel brings together former FTA Administrators to share the unvarnished truths of their time at the agency. Now working in the private sector, they will reveal how their experiences in the Administrator's seat inform their current work, offering practical advice on improving communication, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring accountability between agencies and their industry partners.
Speaker(s): Speaker: Stephen Goodman, Vice President, National Transit and Rail Practice, HNTB Corporation Panelist: Nuria Fernandez, CEO, AMDC Consulting, LLC Panelist: Peter Rogoff, Managing Partner, Contorta Group Panelist: Veronica Vanterpool, Senior Vice President, Americas Transit Lead, US/Canada, AECOM Panelist: K. Jane Williams, Senior Vice President, Advisory, HNTB CorporationLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031711:1512:15 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM EST
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Congress & the Administration: A Year In, Where Do We Stand?
This session will delve into critical topics like transportation appropriations and the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act, exploring the potential impacts of new investment levels and policies for public transit and passenger rail. You'll get a comprehensive overview of the top legislative and regulatory priorities impacting public transit and have an opportunity to ask your most pressing questions.
Speaker(s): Speaker: Ward McCarragher, Vice President-Government Affairs and Advocacy, American Public Transportation Association Speaker: Caroline Decker, Chief Government Affairs Officer, GFT - Washington, DC Moderator: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President, STER North America LLC Panelist: John Cohen, Vice President, Public Affairs, Alstom Panelist: BIll Fay, 2nd Vice Chair, APTA BMBG; and Vice President, Sales, Gillig LLC Panelist: Stephanie Laubenstein, New Flyer and MCI (NFI Group)Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031709:3010:45 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EST
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Business Members Strategic Action Discussion and Open Mic
This session is designed to empower business members to shape the direction of BMBG’s strategic goals for the coming year. Through open dialogue and collaborative idea sharing, participants will help identify priorities and actionable steps that address the most pressing needs of the business member community. The session encourages active engagement, leadership, and volunteerism, fostering a sense of ownership and collective impact. By bringing together diverse perspectives, it aims to strengthen member value and drive meaningful progress across the industry. Join us to make your voice heard and help set the course for BMBG’s future.
Speaker(s): Facilitator: Raquel Olivier, Vice Chair, APTA BMBG; and President/CEO, Olivier IncorporatedLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031713:3015:00 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
EB1F32E9-549D-F011-8105-ED7CCB3A2628 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM EST
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Bus Manufacturing Task Force 2.0 Update
Bringing together business members and transit agencies", the Bus Manufacturing Task Force 2.0 has focused on addressing critical hurdles in the U.S. transit bus supply chain. This brief report outlines the Task Force’s strategic findings on how to stabilize procurement costs and improve industry competitiveness. Attendees will learn about the proposed path forward for ensuring a sustainable, efficient market for both manufacturers and transit agencies. Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031810:4511:00 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM EST
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Trumpeting Transit’s Work to Ensure Clean, Safe, Reliable and Accessible Service
Administrator Molinaro’s wants transit to be Clean, Safe, Reliable, and Accessible. And that is exactly what transit agencies across the country are working towards every day. There are amazing innovations, improvements and new policies across our industry that are helping transit provide the very best and safest possible trip to their customers. Unfortunately, the media rarely focuses on the good, preferring instead to trumpet bad news when it happens. How do we get the good stories out there? What can the transit industry be doing to better communicate – every day – about the work, investments and training that makes for a great customer experience? This session will focus on ways to amplify the message around safety, cleanliness, and reliability. It will include a discussion with the two chairs of APTA’s new SECURE Task Force, which was created to address this very issue. The speakers will then turn to our business members to consider how best to communicate the industry’s commitment to safety, cleanliness, and a superior customer experience, and how we can showcase the ways in which business members are partnering with agencies to meet the Administrator’s goals. Speaker(s): Moderator: Emily Guill, Director, Business Development, Hallcon Corporation Speaker: Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Valley Metro Facilitator: MJ Maynard-Carey, Immediate Past Chair, APTA; and Chief Executive Officer, RTC of Southern NevadaLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031813:1514:15 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST
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BMBG Executive Session
This is a closed meeting for BMBG members only.
Speaker(s): Presiding: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President, STER North America LLCLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031617:0018:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 | |||
| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM EST
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Opening Remarks
Speaker(s): Remarks: Raquel Olivier, Vice Chair, APTA BMBG; and President/CEO, Olivier IncorporatedLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031809:0009:15 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 |
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM EST
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Welcome Remarks
Speaker(s): President's Welcome: Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association Chair's Welcome: Leanne Redden, Chair, APTA; Executive Director, Regional Transportation Authority Host Remarks: Stephanie Cutter, Interim CEO, Chatham Area Transit Authority Welcome: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President, STER North America LLCLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031709:0009:30 000 | TUE, MAR 17 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
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BMBG Annual Meeting
Open to all, the annual meeting of the Board of Governors will help define the priorities for the BMBG and its business members for 2026, including updates and work plans from the seven Business Member Committees.
Speaker(s): Presiding: Raymond Melleady, Chair, APTA BMBG; and President, STER North America LLC Facilitator: Raquel Olivier, Vice Chair, APTA BMBG; and President/CEO, Olivier Incorporated Facilitator: BIll Fay, 2nd Vice Chair, APTA BMBG; and Vice President, Sales, Gillig LLC Facilitator: Buddy Coleman, Immediate Past Chair, APTA BMBG; and Chief Customer Officer, Clever Devices Ltd.Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031613:0017:00 000 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026 |
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
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Procurement Under Pressure: Navigating Tariffs, Consolidation, and Market Volatility
The procurement landscape has never been more turbulent or unpredictable. Over the past quarter we’ve seen escalating tariffs result in uncertainty, supplier instability result in surprising market consolidations, and lengthened lead times requiring new and innovative procurement approaches for transit agencies. This isn't business as usual. It's procurement under pressure – with high accountability and ROI for every dollar spent – and we’ve entered a new era of industry partnerships. Join transit agency and business member leaders for an unfiltered conversation about the realities shaping procurement decisions right now. We'll tackle the questions keeping both sides up at night.
Speaker(s): Moderator: Jannet Walker-Ford, Business Line Executive, Advisory and Planning, WSP Panelist: Stephanie Laubenstein, New Flyer and MCI (NFI Group) Panelist: William Haber, Superintendent Transit Fleet Procurement & Contract Management, King County Metro Panelist: Lorenzo Reffreger, VP OEM Sales & Business Development, Wabtec CorpLocation: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: Savannah Ballroom A, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031811:0012:00 000 | WED, MAR 18 |
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| Monday, Mar 16, 2026 |
Monday, Mar 16, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
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Community Service Activity at Second Harvest Coastal Georgia
New date to be confirmed soon. Location: Second Harvest, Off-Site |
Location: Second Harvest, Off-Site |
2026031609:0012:00 302 | MON, MAR 16 |
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| Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 |
Thursday, Mar 19, 2026
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST
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APTF Golf Tournament and Fundraiser
Join us on for our annual Golf Tournament and APTF Fundraiser for the Dave Turney Scholarship. The tournament will take place at The Club at Savannah Harbor, where golfers will play 18 holes of Championship Golf on Savannah’s Only PGA TOUR Champions Recognized Course. This beautiful course offers unparalleled views of historic downtown Savannah while it gently winds its way through tidal wetlands. Golfers will experience an afternoon of fun and camaraderie with warm breezes and brilliant sunshine, all while raising funds to support the American Public Transportation Foundation. Lunch is included.
Location: The Club at Savannah Harbor, Off-Site |
Location: The Club at Savannah Harbor, Off-Site |
2026031909:3016:00 000 | THU, MAR 19 |
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| Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 |
Thursday, Mar 19, 2026
9:15 AM - 11:45 AM EST
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Small Business CEO Roundtable - Part 2
The conversation continues. If you’re just joining us or staying on for further discussion, Part 2 maintains our "no-agenda" spirit. It’s a final opportunity to continue the conversation and tap into the room's expertise before heading home. Need to leave early to catch your flight? No worries, this session is designed to be as flexible as your travel schedule requires. Location: General Mcintosh, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: General Mcintosh, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031909:1511:45 000 | THU, MAR 19 | |||
| Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 |
Thursday, Mar 19, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM EST
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Small Business CEO Roundtable - Part 1
Before you head out, pull up a chair alongside your fellow small business CEOs. This informal roundtable is designed for you to connect, share insights, and discuss strategies on the topics that matter right now. No formalities—just pure, unfiltered executive insight. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 am and the discussion will kick off at 8:00 a.m. Whether you stay for an hour or the full morning, come enjoy a fluid, supportive environment where the best ideas happen off-script. Location: General Mcintosh, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
Location: General Mcintosh, Savannah Marriott Riverfront |
2026031907:3009:00 000 | THU, MAR 19 |