EVENTS

MID-YEAR MEETING

2026 IPTA Mid-Year Meeting

November 9-10, 2026

Holiday Inn & Suites Event Center

(7400 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613)

Join Iowa's public transit leaders November 9-10 in Cedar Falls for the 2026 IPTA Mid-Year Meeting. This two-day event brings together transit professionals from across the state for industry updates, leadership development, technical training, legislative discussions, and networking opportunities. 

 

Attendees will gain practical insights, explore emerging trends impacting public transportation, and connect with peers working to advance mobility and transportation services throughout Iowa. 


Day 1

Monday, November 9

IPTA Board Meeting & Lunch


RTS Meeting

Speaker

Julia Castillo

Leadership Keynote: Brian Gillette - The Human Advantage: Communication, Trust, and Leadership in the Age of AI

General Session


Speaker:

Brian Gillette

Iowa DOT

With Iowa DOT Staff


Dinner at Table 1912

Table 1912


5307 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Day 2

Tuesday, November 10

IPTA Legislative Advocacy Training

With IPTA Staff and Lobbyists


Unveiling our member management system, forum, and strategy for funding at the state and federal levels.

Understanding the MPO & RTA’s Role in Regional Transit Planning

General Session


Speakers: 

Sanzida Rahman Setu | Transportation Planner

Oghogho Oriakhi | Transportation Planner


INRCOG Transportation Department staff will provide an overview of the Black Hawk County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) & Iowa Northland Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and their role in coordinating transit planning across the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area and surrounding region. The presentation will explore how INRCOG works with MET Transit, OnBoard Public Transit, local governments, and regional transportation partners to identify transit needs, coordinate long-range planning, prioritize transportation investments, and pursue federal, state, and local funding. Attendees will gain insight into how metropolitan transportation planning connects local transit operations with broader regional mobility goals and opportunities.

Building a Regional Microtransit Pilot: A Collaborative Approach

General Session


Speakers:

Danny Laudick | Mayor, City of Cedar Falls

Stephanie Sheetz | Director of Community Development

Dave Boesen | Mayor, Waterloo


The mayors of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, joined by local stakeholders and transportation partners, will share the story behind the development of the MET Transit Microtransit Pilot Program. The presentation will highlight how the two communities came together with MET Transit, INRCOG, and other regional partners to identify transportation needs, develop a shared vision, engage stakeholders, explore funding opportunities, and design a coordinated three-year pilot program. Speakers will discuss the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from building a collaborative microtransit initiative across two communities while strengthening and complementing the existing fixed-route transit network.

Hawkeye Community College Regional Transportation Training Center Tour


6433 Hammond Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701

Mobile Workshop: Hawkeye Training Center Tour

Speaker

Marcus Deree


See how systems are utilizing their community colleges for driver training.


Hawkeye Training Center

6433 Hammond Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701




Hotel Information


HOLIDAY INN & SUITES BIEN VENU EVENT CENTER

7400 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613


Use the link below to book your hotel room. Although IPTA covers the cost of rooms, a credit card will be requested to be kept on file for incidentals. 


RESERVE HOTEL

Meet the Speakers

Brian Gillette

Brian Gillette is a leadership communication expert, executive educator, and founder of Gillette Strategy and Communication. He serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Iowa State University, where he teaches business communication and professional speaking.


Before entering higher education, Brian spent more than 25 years in executive leadership roles in the insurance and financial services industries, including serving as Vice President of Sales for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Chief Operating Officer and part-owner of Group Benefits, Ltd.


Today, Brian helps organizations strengthen communication, build trust, improve collaboration, and reduce the organizational friction that gets in the way of results. His presentations combine real-world executive experience, academic insight, practical tools, and engaging storytelling. He is the recipient of Iowa State University’s LAS Early Achievement in Teaching Award and the Margaret Baker Graham Award for Excellence in Teaching Communication.

Sanzida Rahman Setu | Transportation Planner


Oghogho Oriakhi | Transportation Planner

Oghogho Oriakhi is a Transportation Planner I with the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG), where he supports short- and long-range transportation programs across the Cedar Valley. His work includes developing federally and state-required transportation plans, programming and managing grants, conducting research and data analysis, and preparing technical reports to advance safe, accessible, and sustainable multimodal transportation.

Danny Laudick | Mayor, City of Cedar Falls

Mayor Danny Laudick has served as the Mayor of Cedar Falls since January 2024.  He is a nearly life-long Cedar Falls resident, having graduated from Cedar Falls High School and went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa. Throughout his career, Danny has worked in economic and community development through multiple roles, continues to actively serve on several local nonprofit boards and commissions, and proudly resides in Cedar Falls with his wife Jesse.

Stephanie Sheetz | Director of Community Development

Stephanie Houk Sheetz has 25 years of professional planning experience.  She graduated from Iowa State University with a Master’s Degree in Community & Regional Planning and achieved accreditation into the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2005.  Ms. Sheetz has worked in local government a majority of her career in both Illinois and Iowa.  She is the Director of Community Development in Cedar Falls, where she oversees Planning & Community Services, Inspection Services, Recreation & Community Programs, Tourism & Cultural Services.  She has served as a city representative to the MET Transit Board of Directors since 2020.

Dave Boesen | Mayor, Waterloo

Dave Boesen has dedicated more than four decades to public service in the City of Waterloo, building a career defined by leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to community safety and civic responsibility.


Dave began his career with Waterloo Fire Rescue in 1984, where he served until 2012 in a wide range of critical roles. Over nearly three decades, he worked as a firefighter, paramedic, medical officer, fire arson investigator, K9 handler, and an Iowa Law Enforcement Academy–certified police officer. His expertise and steady leadership led him to positions as Fire Marshal and ultimately Battalion Chief, where he oversaw operations, guided personnel development, and advanced public safety initiatives throughout the community.


In 2012, Dave transitioned to the Waterloo Police Department, taking on the role of Property and Evidence Division Manager. He served in that capacity until 2018, ensuring the integrity, organization, and accountability of critical evidence processes within the department.


Dave continued his public service by stepping into elected office, serving the Waterloo City Council from 2020 to 2025. During his tenure, he worked to strengthen city services, support economic development, and promote collaborative governance.


In January 2026, Dave Boesen was elected Mayor of the City of Waterloo, where he continues to serve. As Mayor, he brings a lifetime of frontline experience, operational insight, and community-focused leadership to the role. His administration emphasizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, and initiatives that foster a vibrant, thriving Waterloo for all residents.