State Association Utilizes Conference Location to Unite Members, Industry


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NAPT and NASDPTS choose Memphis to conduct industry business this week, and so do members of the Tennessee Association for Pupil Transportation


Student transporters


from across the state have descended on Memphis to not only welcome visitors but to share ideas on how to tackle today’s challenges. Larry Riggsbee, executive


director of the Tennessee Association for Pupil Trans- portation, said the economy continues to be a hot topic, especially as local school systems scrutinize the travel lines in every department budget. Te location of the national shows provides an opportunity to share ideas. “Tankfully, we have


not had any (Department of Education) funding issues that would affect our service level to the students or the overall safety of our operations,” he told School Transportation News. “Te Memphis location of the Summit has really been a great financial help to our folks who plan to attend the conference.”


Helping things, he added, is that NAPT’s conference program “looks to be one of the best, ever.” As a result, TAPT is


grabbing the opportuni- ty to discuss formal and informal business. Other state associations have held similar meetings, such as the Mississippi Association for Pupil Transportation during the Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference in Biloxi during the summer. Riggsbee said TAPT is also moving “full-speed


ahead” on its promotion of School Bus Safety Week. “Tanks to our Tennessee


teachers and to our poster contest coordinators, who happen to be the Shelby County and Memphis school districts, this year’s competition was intense.” Te State of Tennessee


General Assembly also rec- ognizes School Bus Safety Week as “Tennessee School Bus Driver Appreciation Week.” Te resolution spe- cifically recognizes 14,000 school bus drivers who operate 9,000 school buses that serve 581,000 students statewide. Riggsbee added that the Tennessee School Boards Association and local school systems honor school bus drivers during this week with various treats and attention. “Some school districts make it a competition to see which district schools can be most appreciative of their drivers,” he added. As for acting as a host of this week’s contest, Riggsbee said TAPT mem- bers are happy to provide information on Memphis to their visiting colleagues. “Te Mississippi River is a little low on water, but the blues clubs and restaurants that line Beale Street will be high on en- tertainment,” he said. “Our members will be ready to offer local advice about the many great places to see in the Memphis area.” 


School bus safety posters, such as this one by second-grader Hannah Meade of Blountville, Tenn., will be presented during the NAPT School Bus Safety Poster Contest Show during the trade show held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.


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OCT 20–25, 2012 • THE SHOW REPORTER 19


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