Management

APTA cancels two conferences, NRC postpones equipment auction

March 23, 2020

Industry events through June have been cancelled or postponed out of an abundance of caution regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) have cancelled or postponed upcoming events.

APTA Mobility Conference & Bus Roadeo, which was to be held in San Antonio, Texas, May 15-20, will not take place. Additionally, the APTA Rail Conference & Rail Rodeo, which was to be held this June in San Francisco, Calif., has also been cancelled.

In a message posted on each show’s website, APTA noted “concerns related to the escalating coronavirus outbreak and related national and local directives” as to why the events were cancelled. The association also says it is exploring virtual meeting options and ways to incorporate content found at both shows into its upcoming triennial TRANSform Conference and EXPO 2020, which is still scheduled to be held Oct. 11-14 in Anaheim, Calif.

In other association event news, NRC has postponed the 17th Annual NRC Railroad Equipment Auction, which was to be held May 14 in Granite City, Ill.

In a message sent to members, the NRC said, “The NRC Auction Committee and Executive Committee have been paying close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the travel restrictions facing many of our member companies, the unpredictability of the virus, prioritizing the safety of our members and general public and a myriad of other reasons, we felt this decision was the right one.”

NRC says a new date will be scheduled for the auction once more information about the pandemic is available.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.

Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.