2004 Fall Conference Summary

More than 50 transit officials from across the North and South Dakota attended the 2004 Dakota Transit Association Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, SD Sept. 20-23.

Attendees received training, had opportunities for networking and shared useful ideas on topics ranging from funding partnerships to emerging regulatory issues on the state and national level. New board members were elected for the DTA and North Dakota and South Dakota Drivers of the Year were honored at the award luncheon.

Participants also learned about the DTA's planned lobbying efforts. "DTA is preparing to be a player in both the North Dakota and South Dakota legislatures," said DTA president Ron Baumgart. "The board feels strongly about having our issues brought to the legislators in a professional and credible manner."

Presentations

• How to Effectively Influence Congress and the State Legislature Without Leaving Home, Paul Beddoe (PDF, 1053K)
• Transportation Coordination, Gary Hegland (PDF, 586K)
• DTA Annual Meeting, Jill Hough (PDF, 272K)

Pictures

	From left to right: Ron Baumgart, President of DTA; Cheryle Urlacher, ND driver of the year; and Danna M. Schaff, Director of Southwest Transportation.
From left to right: Barb Cline, Director of Prairie Hills Transit; Dave Chipman, SD driver of the year; and Ron Baumgart, President of DTA.
	Paul Beddoe, Associate Director of the National Association of Counties, came to the DTA meeting to share low-cost methods of keeping the state and federal legislators well-informed about transit issues.
Ice sculpture at awards luncheon for drivers of the year.
	2004-05 DTA board of directors from left to right: Joan Campbell, Jacqueline Senger, Peggy L. Morris, Ron Baumgart, Brenda Schweitzer, Carol Wright and Barb Ballensky.