Get your tickets today! Join riders and workers from across the US at the National Transit Advocacy Spring Training, April 25th and 26th in Pittsburgh, PA!
What to expect:
Get ready for the 2025 Organizing Conference for Transit Advocates and Grassroots Members in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania all day Sat, April 26th! We will have workshops on telling a compelling transit story to elected leaders and using it to win your demands; transit worker organizing and building common cause with riders; taking transit service demands into a state funding fight; galvanizing municipal elected officials to support transit riders with land use and infrastructure demands… and more! This organizing conference will have workshops led by local advocates and advocates outside of Pittsburgh, and will have topics relevant to transit organizers at all levels and all regions.
We will host a pre-conference Transit Tour and happy hour on Fri, April 25th, and then have a morning plenary, workshops and a mobile tour throughout the day Saturday April 26th. Space is limited and pre registration is required for Friday evening’s Transit Tour. A bus pass will be provided for your adventure with us! You do NOT need to attend the Transit Tour to join us at happy hour, where you’ll enjoy a complimentary beverage and hors d’oeuvres. On Saturday you can expect continental breakfast, hot lunches and afternoon snacks.
Last day to register for Spring Training is Friday 4/18/25.
Schedule & Location:
Friday, April 25th:
Transit Tour and Welcome Happy Hour
- 3:30-5 PM: Transit Tour beginning at Friends Meeting House 4836 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- 5-7 PM: Welcome Happy Hour at Aslin Beer Company 1801 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Saturday, April 26th
Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave., Pittsburgh PA, 15213
- 8:00-9:00 AM Check-in
- 8:30-9:00 AM Continental breakfast and Networking
- 9:00-10:00 AM Opening Plenary
- 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM Choose from:
- Developing Strong Transit Worker-Rider Alliances
- Sharing Your Transit Story: Effectively Using Your Story to Mobilize
- 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (provided with RSVP)
- 1:00-2:30 PM Choose from:
- Identifying Power in Your Personal Networks: Spidermapping
- The Fight for Statewide Transit Funding Based on Local Service Demands
- Let’s go for a walk! (Mobile Workshop – space limited, pre-registration required)
- 2:45 – 4:15 PM Choose from:
- Facilitating Effective Meetings and Navigating Conflict
- Starting a Campaign 101: Identifying and Implementing Elements for Success
- 4:15 – 4:30 PM BREAK Refreshments and Snacks
- 4:30 – 5:00 PM Closing Statements and Farewell
- 5:00 – 5:30 PM Social Time
Location Information
The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center is located at 100 Lytton Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15213, in the amenity-rich Oakland neighborhood.
The hotel is very easily accessible from the airport via public transit. It is about a four-minute walk or roll from the Fifth Ave and Tennyson Ave PRT stop, which is serviced by the following routes:
- 54 Northside-Oakland-Southside
- 58 Greenfield
- 61A North Braddock
- 61B Braddock-Swissvale
- 61C McKeesport-Homestead
- 61D Murray
- 67 Monroeville
- 69 Trafford
- 71A Negley
- 71B Highland Park
- 71C Point Breeze
- 71D Hamilton
- 75 Ellsworth
- 81 Oak Hill
- 83 Bedford Hill
- 93 Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
- P3 East Busway-Oakland
If any of these transportation modes are cost-prohibitive for you, contact PPT to discuss options, at 551-206-3320 or info@ppt-test.jimkeener.com by April 23, 2025.
Accessibility Information
The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center has accessible onsite parking and an accessible main entrance. All meeting areas are accessible, and there are elevators throughout the building. More information about their accessibility features can be found on their web page.
COVID-19 Procedures:
Masks are encouraged indoors at our events and will be available on-site at check-in. We also encourage everyone to take an at-home COVID-19 rapid test before arriving. Please stay home if you are feeling sick or have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. The Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center has on-site parking, elevators, and accessible public entrances.
Food and Drink:
At happy hour on Friday let PPT buy your first round! There will be hors d’oeuvres too! Food will be brought out before 6pm (if you arrive on the later side there is no guarantee there will be food left). If you are curious about Aslin Beer Company’s menu you can take a look at it here.
On Saturday, PPT will provide a continental breakfast for participants in the morning, lunch, and snacks towards the end of the day.
PPT will label provided food with common allergens.