2026 STAA Conference
Schedule
Tue, 19 May, 2026 at 05:30 pm to Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 12:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre | Calgary, AB
About this Event
Welcome to the 2026 STAA Conference!
Get ready to join us in person for an exciting event packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. The 2026 STAA Conference is your chance to dive into fresh ideas, meet awesome people, and experience everything face-to-face.
Don't miss out on all the student transportation fun and inspiration. Mark your calendar and get ready for a fantastic time!
*To enhance your experience and provide access to industry-leading resources, registrant lists may be shared with authorized third-party vendors and sponsors.
Agenda - Tuesday
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Registration
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Meet & Greet
Agenda - Wednesday
🕑: 07:15 AM - 08:15 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:15 AM
Keynote Speaker
Host: Josh Bowen
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Break
🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
CMC Course Session 1
Info: Choice of one class: Conflict Management or Cultivating a Resilient Mindset. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Class size is limited to 25 participants per course.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Speaker Session 1
Info: Choose between National Safety Code with Vicki Baird or Risk & Liability with a lawyer from McLennan Ross.
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Speaker Session 2
Info: Choose between Collision Toolkit with Vicki Baird or Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder with a speaker from Autism Calgary.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:30 PM
AB Student Transportation Partner Meeting (Invite Only)
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Mechanics Session
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:45 PM
SDI & DI Session
🕑: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Trade Show
🕑: 06:00 PM
Sponsor's Evening
Agenda - Thursday
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
CMC Course Session 2
Info: Choice of one class: Conflict Management or Cultivating a Resilient Mindset. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Class size is limited to 25 participants per course.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Speaker Session 3
Info: Choice of National Safety Code with Vicki Baird or Behavior Management with Psychologist Sheri Kalke.
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Speaker Session 4
Info: Choose between Collision Toolkit with Vicki Baird or Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder with a speaker from Autism Calgary.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Speaker Session 5
Info: Choose between Behavior Management with Psychologist Sheri Kalke or Specialized Transportation Round Table Discussion.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Vendor Visits
🕑: 05:30 PM
Cocktails
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Banquet & Entertainment
Agenda - Friday
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
STAA Elections & AGM (STAA Member Only)
Agenda - Spousal Package
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Meet & Greet - Tuesday
🕑: 07:15 AM - 08:15 AM
Breakfast - Wednesday
🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:15 AM
Keynote Speaker - Wednesday
Host: Josh Bowen
🕑: 10:00 AM
Mall Day!! - Wednesday
Info: Hop on the big yellow bus and head to the mall for a day of shopping pleasure.
🕑: 06:00 PM
Brewery Tour - Wednesday
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast - Thursday
🕑: 12:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Chocolate Making Class - Thursday (Bagged Lunch Provided)
Info: Discover the Art of Chocolate with Master Chocolatier Bernard Callebaut!
Join Bernard Callebaut for a hands-on, three-hour chocolate making experience focused on the essential skill of chocolate tempering.
This immersive class explores:
The history of chocolate
The difference between chocolate candy vs. real chocolate
How cocoa content impacts flavour
Why tempering matters — and how to do it properly at home:
You’ll learn the science behind tempering, how to achieve stable crystals, and how to create chocolate with a smooth texture and glossy finish using simple, everyday kitchen tools.
During the class, you’ll make a variety of treats including:
Chocolate bars
Hot chocolate bombs
Chocolate lollipops
Hand-moulded salted caramel truffles
Best part? You take home everything you make to enjoy (or show off).
🕑: 05:30 PM
Cocktails - Thursday
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Banquet - Thursday
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast - Friday
Where is it happening?
Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, 1316 33 Street Northeast, Calgary, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 80.00 to CAD 675.00
