/R E P E A T -- Media Invitation to CUTA Annual Conference and opportunity to meet with BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Blair Lekstrom./

VICTORIA, May 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and BC Transit cordially invite you to attend Canada's largest gathering of transit experts which will take place in Victoria, under the theme Building Connections. Linking Communities.

This year, CUTA is bringing to you new trends and updates on urban mobility from Canada and around the world. Our keynote speakers will provide an overview on mobility management, financing transit, perspectives on transit advocacy and the Long Term Infrastructure Plan (LTIP), accessible transit, and greening and energy workshops. Other distinguished speakers will discuss topics related to advancing transit through empowered communities, and how to respond to future transportation needs and to the changing mobility demands.

It is also our pleasure to announce that the CUTA Annual Conference will be attended by BC Minister of Transportation, Blair Lekstrom, who will share BC's progressive transit plans and experiences with more than 300 senior transit managers, manufacturers and industry leaders. Attending as well is the Mayor of Victoria Dean Fortin and many other dignitaries from across the Canada and the United States.

Date:	28 - 30 May, 2012
Venue:	Victoria Convention Centre - Salon B/C
Program:	Conference details and session descriptions are available on the CUTA Website.

CUTA would like to offer you an invitation to attend the entire conference and the opportunity to meet with Minister Lekstrom on Monday 28 May 2012.
There will be opportunities for interviews with leading keynote speakers upon request.

To confirm your attendance or if you have any clarifications about this invitation, please contact Grace Elasmar, Marketing and Communications Manager, CUTA, at [phone] ext. 118, email: [email protected]

Looking forward to hearing from you and to welcoming you to the CUTA Annual Conference in beautiful Victoria.

Program Highlights:

Monday 28 May
8:00am	Opening breakfast and welcome address by BC Transit
	Keynote addresses from invited guests, including BC Minister of Transportation, Blair Lekstrom,The Mayor of Victoria, His Worship Dean Fortin and Councillor Susan Brice (Chair of the Victoria Regional Transit Commission). Representatives from international partners, such as the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will bring greetings.
	Meeting opportunity with Minister Lekstrom and other distinguished guests.
Tuesday 29 May
8:00am - 9:15am	Breakfast with Keynote Speaker Jarrett Walker discussing details of how transit works as an urban mobility tool and how it fits into the larger challenge of urban transportation. Jarrett Walker is an international consultant in public transit network design and policy.
12:45pm - 2:15pm	CUTA Corporate Leadership Awards Lunch Corporate Leadership awards are presented to the urban transit most valuable players.
Wednesday 30 May
11:45am - 2:15pm	Closing Lunch with keynote address by Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute: Meeting your community's future transportation needs: Responding to changing mobility demands. Todd Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems.

About CUTA
CUTA is the collective and influential voice of public transportation in Canada, dedicated to being at the centre of urban mobility issues with all orders of government, and delivering the highest value to its members and the communities they serve. CUTA is the national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.

 

 

 

For CUTA information, contact:  Grace Elasmar, Manager, Marketing and Communications CUTA, Office: [phone] ext. 118; Cell: [phone] or by email [email protected]

For BC Transit information, contact: Meribeth Burton, Corporate Spokesperson BC Transit, Office: (250) 995- 5720; Cell [phone] or by email [email protected]