FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christina Villarreal

Executive Director

c.villarreal@latinosintransit.org

Latinos In Transit Opens Registration for the 2026 Leadership Summit in Columbus, Ohio

Summit to Celebrate LIT’s 10th Anniversary with Expanded Programming, National Partners, and Early Bird Registration Rates

(Columbus, Ohio) — [January 3, 2026] — Latinos In Transit (LIT) is excited to announce that registration for the 2026 Leadership Summit will officially open on Jan. 5, 2026. The Summit will take place September 10–13, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, and will be hosted in partnership with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA).

The 2026 Leadership Summit marks a historic milestone for the organization as LIT celebrates its 10th anniversary as a national nonprofit. This year’s event will close out a yearlong celebration recognizing LIT’s decade of growth, expanded programming, and profound impact on career mobility and professional development within the public transportation industry.

This is such a proud moment for us because Columbus is a dynamic, inclusive, and fast-growing city that truly represents the future of mobility in America,” said COTA President/CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler. “You will see first-hand the extraordinary transit transformation underway in Central Ohio. Through our LinkUS initiative, we’re delivering an $8 billion investment in Bus Rapid Transit, sidewalks, trails, bikeways, and mobility infrastructure to connect people to opportunities like never before. We look forward to welcoming our LIT members to Columbus.”

Over the last several years, LIT has experienced significant national expansion—growth that will be reflected in the scale, reach, and depth of this year’s Summit experience. The 2026 event will feature four days of dynamic programming, including:

Networking & Connection Building

A dedicated day for relationship-building across agencies, private-sector partners, small businesses, emerging professionals, and national industry leaders.

Technical Knowledge & Industry Training

A full day centered on expanding knowledge of transit operations, technology, mobility innovations, and targeted skill development for today’s workforce demands.

Leadership Seminars & Workforce Development

A full day of leadership workshops designed to motivate, expand career pathways, and strengthen the future of the transit workforce.

LIT and COTA are already collaborating closely to design an elevated, memorable, and impactful gathering that reflects the organization’s momentum and national presence.

Early Bird Registration Opens January 5

To ensure accessibility and encourage early participation, LIT is offering special early bird registration rates beginning January 5:

• $495 for LIT Members
  
  

• $695 for Non-Members
  
  

Because an annual LIT membership is only $100, non-members are encouraged to join LIT first to lock in the lower member early bird rate, which offers a more affordable registration option than the non-member price.

“We want this milestone year to be celebrated with the full participation of our members, industry partners, sponsors, and volunteers,” said LIT Executive Director Christina Villarreal. “The 2026 Leadership Summit represents not only the growth of our organization but also the collective advancement of professionals across the public transportation industry. We are thrilled to partner with COTA in Columbus to bring forward expanded programming, major milestone recognitions, and meaningful opportunities for learning, networking, and career development. We invite everyone to join us for this historic moment as LIT celebrates 10 years of impact.”

The 2026 Summit will highlight key milestones from LIT’s first 10 years, honor the members and industry partners who have supported its mission, and showcase expanded programming that reflects the organization’s national impact and continued growth.

LIT invites members, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and transit professionals from across the United States to gather in Columbus, Ohio, for this significant event.

For registration details, membership information, and upcoming Summit announcements, visit www.latinosintransit.org.

About Latinos In Transit

Latinos In Transit (LIT) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advances workforce development and economic development across the public transportation industry. LIT delivers national training programs, professional development pathways, mentorship offerings, and strategic partnerships that equip transportation professionals with the skills, resources, and networks needed for career success. As LIT approaches its 10-year anniversary in 2026, the organization continues expanding its national footprint and strengthening its impact on America’s mobility workforce.

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