Community transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo
Omaha, Nebraska | May 10-13, 2026
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo is a national conference that brings together transportation providers, planners, policymakers, and industry partners focused on advancing community and public transportation systems. The event serves as a key forum for sharing practical strategies, emerging technologies, and policy insights that support more effective and inclusive mobility services across urban and rural communities.
The conference focuses on key topics including rural mobility innovation, accessibility, workforce development, and community-centered transportation planning. It highlights real-world approaches that help communities move from planning to implementation, with an emphasis on scalable, sustainable solutions.
The PLUM Catalyst submitted two workshop proposals that were selected for the CTAA Expo conference program.
Jon Dege, Regional Mobility Director, will lead a workshop session on the Smart Rural Mobility Toolkit, sharing how communities can apply the goMARTI model as a step-by-step approach to building accessible, reliable microtransit systems that support connectivity and economic growth.
Trisha Peterson, Community Catalyst, will lead a workshop session focused on co-designing microtransit for accessibility. Her session will highlight community-driven engagement approaches that center local leadership, remove barriers to participation, and ensure transportation solutions reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
Conference Highlights
The PLUM Catalyst was proud to contribute to the conversation at the 2026 CTAA Expo through two workshop sessions focused on practical implementation strategies for rural mobility and community-driven accessibility planning.
Both workshop sessions generated strong engagement and discussion, reinforcing the growing interest in approaches that move beyond planning and toward implementation. Participants explored how communities can leverage proven models, strategic partnerships, accessibility expertise, and community-centered engagement practices to develop mobility solutions that reflect local priorities and needs.
The conference also provided valuable opportunities to connect with industry partners and transportation leaders working across accessibility, transit operations, and emerging mobility technologies. Discussions with accessibility technology providers highlighted ongoing advancements in mobility solutions designed to support greater independence and improved user experiences for riders with disabilities.
The event was also a meaningful milestone for Trisha Peterson, Community Catalyst, who delivered her first conference speaking engagement on behalf of The PLUM Catalyst, bringing her authentic community-centered perspective and experience to conversations around accessibility and mobility innovation.
The conversations and connections established during CTAA Expo continue to reinforce an important theme across the mobility ecosystem: successful transportation innovation depends on strong partnerships, meaningful community engagement, and implementation strategies that are both practical and inclusive.
