TFLEx Fall Workshop - Des Moines, IA - September 21-22, 2026
and support & align with agency goals.
About this Event
“Maximizing Grant Success”
Dates: September 21-22, 2026
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Workshop Overview
Transit Finance Learning Exchange (TFLEx) invites members to attend a two-day, in-person workshop focused on strengthening the finance function’s role in financial and accounting process improvement, system implementation, and change management. Sessions will emphasize practical strategies to support regulatory compliance, grants management, project reporting, and better decision-making across the agency.
Participation is limited to member agency staff only.
Vendors and sales representatives may not attend.
Potential members should contact TFLEx for information on eligibility.
Program Content/Learning Objectives
Grant funding represents a significant source for transit agencies. Federal funding programs award grants through a competitive process or using an allocation formula. Allowable uses and reporting requirements vary by program – looking to align with program objectives. State and local grants often relate to green or social mandates. The challenge for transit agencies is to balance program objectives and requirements with agency operating, state-of-good-repair, and system improvement & expansion goals. Finance plays a key role in pursuing funding through the grant application process and providing data support for funding initiatives, grants management, and funding use reporting to demonstrate responsible fiscal stewardship.
Workshop objectives – After attending this conference, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Finance role and factors considered in developing agency strategies for financial sustainability. including operating, state-of-good-repair, and system improvement & expansion goals.
- Describe approaches to grant proposals including cross-functional teams, regional alliances, use of AI and outside expertise, and competitive grant upfront reviews to ensure subsequent compliance.
- Determine the Finance responsibilities in initiatives to secure legislation that continues or expands funding, and national efforts to support transit funding.
- Understand the factors considered in developing agency grant fund use strategies, including utilization of “capital cost of contracting,” and preventive maintenance.
- Explore ERP & other software implementations to meet federal reporting & grants management requirements.
- Illustrate and share transit agency best practices through structured, participative sessions.
Participants will earn 14.0 CPE credits.
Field of Study: Finance
Prerequisites: None*
Advanced Preparation: None*
Program Level: Advanced
Delivery Method: Group Live
Transit Finance Learning Exchange is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org
Workshop Venue & Meeting Location
Hosted by: Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), Des Moines, IA
Meeting Location:
DART Central Station
620 Cherry St
Des Moines, IA 50309
Workshop will begin on Monday at 8:30 with breakfast available at 8:00. Tuesday will begin with a business meeting and breakfast at 8:30, with workshop sessions resuming at 9:00. Scheduled end times are 5:00 on Monday and 3:00 on Tuesday.
Workshop Schedule
Monday, September 21, 2026
- Workshop begins at 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- TFLEx Business Meeting: 8:30 a.m.
- Workshop sessions resume at 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast and lunch are included both days.
Lodging Information
Recommended Hotel:
Surety Hotel – Autograph Collection
206 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
- Front Desk: 1-515-985-2066
- Check-in: 3:00 p.m.
- Check-out: 12:00 p.m.
Please click here to register a room at the discounted TFLEx rate. Availability is limited, so early booking is encouraged.
Getting Between the Hotel and DART Central Station
Surety Hotel is located in downtown Des Moines and is walkable to the conference location.
*This program is at an advanced level of continuing education. Although no prerequisite course material is provided or work experience is needed to participate in this program, working knowledge of finance and public transportation practices and policies, and knowledge of the program topic, is required.
For information regarding refund, complaint and cancellation policies, contact Joe Costello, Costello Consulting, 708-606-0811 [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM
Monday 9/21 8:30 - Workshop begins
🕑: 08:30 AM
Tuesday 9/22 8:30 am - Business Meeting
🕑: 09:00 AM
Tuesday 9/22 9:00 am - Workshop resumes
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 425.00
