Where transit, mobility and development meet
October 26–29, 2025
Make plans now to be in Portland in October!
Local Hosts
Shaping the conversation about transit-oriented communities –
and how work gets done!
The Mpact Transit + Community conference focuses on the potential for transit and connecting mobility options, supportive land use and development — taken together — to create better lives and brighter futures. Founded in Portland, Ore., in 1995 as Rail~Volution, the conference continues to grow and evolve, bringing new ideas and approaches to the ever-changing mobility, technology and development landscape.
60+ conference sessions with new approaches, best practices and real-world examples of
Integrated & connected mobility – all forms of transit, from bus and rail to demand-responsive transit, as well as tech-driven mobility, bicycling, walking and other ways to move
Station, street & corridor design – making places more livable and accessible
Land use and development – transit-oriented development, housing, small business and economic development, community benefits, zoning and parking
Funding, community engagement – collaborative ways to advance transit-oriented communities
Plus
3 plenaries with influential speakers discussing major topics
25+ Mobile Workshops to projects and places across the region
Opportunities to build your network
AICP CM credits are available for conference sessions, plenaries and mobile workshops
Are You:
Intentional, visionary, practical, open-minded, vibrant, energetic?
Able to bring real-world experience to share?
Committed to listening to and learning from people with different backgrounds?
Ready to roll up your sleeves, say hello, get outside, laugh and maybe even dance?
attends Mpact Transit + Community?
Local, regional, national and international stakeholders involved in building livable communities
Transit agency leadership and staff
City, county, regional, state/provincial and federal government Policy makers, elected officials Business, nonprofit and community leaders
Planners, urban designers, architects, and engineers
New mobility and technology innovators
Transit-oriented development managers
Developers, community and economic development leads
Housing and transportation advocates Community-based organizations Funders and financing experts
Communications and community engagement professionals Academic researchers and students
Foundation officers
… and You!
98% of attendees surveyed said the 2024 Mpact Transit + Community conference was a excellent or good.
Here’s what else they said:
“I get recharged each year by the enthusiasm of the conference attendees and in-depth panel sessions. I will be using best practices as part of my job in the new year.
“
“
Meeting people from different parts of the U.S. has definitely made me more aware of specific cities that are adopting transit and other urban policies, their practices and challenges. It was also great to learn about more tools and initiatives in the region.
I definitely have a better understanding about the process of change. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot of collaborations that take place.
Core Topics for 2025
An early look at themes for 2025. The full conference schedule will be online in late summer.
Complex station design, integration of multiple modes (BRT to microtransit), first-last mile and street design, incentives for mode shift
Creative and practical funding solutions, for transit and TOD
Aligning development with community needs, including zoning reform, inclusive design, community-driven planning, anti-displacement measures
Building transit-oriented communities for all: youth, families, seniors, people with different abilities
Multi-agency collaboration: transit + housing, developers, community organizations
Designing for extreme weather and planning for big events
Using technology, data, communications and storytelling for impact
Be part of a dynamic network
The Mpact Transit + Community conference is the product of more than 1,000 practitioners, leaders and advocates from across the US and Canada and beyond. Speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees – and you!
The Mpact National Steering Committee (NSC) is a cross-sector group of 50+ individuals who work at Mpact Partner organizations: transit and government agencies, nonprofits and private firms. They bring vast experience and collaborative energy to curating 60+ conference sessions, drawing on the 200+ proposals submitted in our Call for Speakers.
The Local Host Committee tells the local story, sharing their knowledge of people, projects and great places. They plan mobile workshops, pre-conference events, the Welcome Reception and regional learning opportunities as well as helping with fundraising and coordinating volunteers. The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation, Oregon Metro and TriMet are co-chairs of the 2025 Local Host Committee.
The Mpact Innovators, a national group formed to welcome the next generation of leaders and thinkers, brings fresh ideas throughout the conference, organizing Walking Tours, Idea Exchanges, the Mpact PK Slam and more.
See and Learn in Portland!
For the 30th conference, we’re back in Portland, where the vision to build livable communities around transit took shape at the first Rail~Volution conference in 1995!
Portland is famous for its particular vibe: down to earth, creative, inclusive, not afraid to be different. It’s known for the many bridges over the Willamette River, for parks and nearby nature and a lively food and cultural scene. Across the city and region, there’s a rich legacy of collaboration accompanied by a sense of always looking forward.
Get to Know
A multifaceted transit system, with 5 MAX light rail lines, a bus network including FX bus rapid transit (BRT), bus priority, and LIFT paratransit, Portland Streetcar, Portland Aerial Tram, WES Commuter Rail, and Amtrak
A world-class bicycling network, including neighborhood greenways, bike/ped bridges, protected bike infrastructure, bike share and scooters
A walkable city, with attention to street-level livability and many distinct neighborhoods, from the Pearl District to the Jade District, Division to South Waterfront
New transit-oriented developments, urban and suburban: mixed-used communities with shorter trips, better lifestyles and more efficient use of resources
On-the-ground outcomes of innovative policies for regional growth, housing, mobility, sustainability and building an economy that works for everyone
Don’t Miss
Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, North America’s only bridge dedicated to transit and people walking, bicycling or riding scooters – but no cars
Washington Park MAX Station, the deepest transit station in North America
Thank You Early Sponsors & Exhibitors
Thank you to these sponsors and exhibitors, who stepped up early to show their support for building livable communities around transit.
Join them – sign up as a sponsor or exhibitor by August 15 to ensure full benefits. mpactmobility.org/sponsorexhibitor
Exhibitors
Thanks to these companies and organizations for being the first to book space to showcase their products and services.
Alta Planning + Design Kittelson & Associates Zan Associates
What do you get?
Four days of learning and networking! 60+ Sessions, 3 Plenaries, Numerous networking options, plus (for additional fees) Mobile Workshops and Pre-Conference Events
What do you take home?
A bigger network. Energy. Models to point to. Cross-disciplinary viewpoints. The ability to share with your colleagues and reinvigorate your approach. #MpactPDX Conference at a Glance
Sunday, October 26
Conference Registration Open 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Public Square, Plaza Level, Hilton Portland Downtown
Saturday, October 25
am
am
am
Sunday Afternoon Session: Learning from Ballot Measures 4:00 pm 3:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Arrive Saturday to explore Portland and the region on your own. Get ready to take part in a full day on Sunday.
7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 1:00 pm 12:00 pm 2:00 pm 6:00 pm 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 9:00 pm 7:00 pm
Mpact Innovators
Saturday Night Welcome 7:00 – 9:00 pm Welcome Reception 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Welcome Reception Sponsored by DATE: Sunday, Oct 26 TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Kick off the conference at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, on the east side of the Willamette River, just across Tilikum Crossing from downtown Portland. Mix with Rail~Volution founders and the current generation of Portland leaders. Make new friends and say hello to familiar faces. 8:00 pm
October 27
#MpactPDX Conference at a Glance
DATE: Monday, Oct 27 TIME: 5:00 – 6:30 pm Conference Registration
Exhibits
Open 7:30 am – 6:30 pm Public Square, Plaza Level Join the exhibitors at their booths to learn and connect.
Gather in the Public Square to share stories from the first full day.
Mpact Innovators Presents: Poster Session
Tuesday, October 28
A Tuesday night tradition, the PK Slam features stand-up presentations in the style of PechaKucha™.
“Amazing! Super informative, nerdy (in the best way) and entertaining.” Mpact Innovators Presents: The Mpact PK Slam
Wednesday, October 29
Pre-Conference Events
Sunday, October 26
Transit to Trails: Portland’s Washington and Forest Parks
9:00 am – Noon
$45.00 purchase lunch on tour Trail Run or Hike
Mobile Workshops
Sunday through Wednesday. Separate fees apply. See full descriptions at mpactmobility.org/schedule
Sunday, October 26
MW01 Crossroads at the Falls: Development and Multimodal Access in Clackamas County
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
$65.00 purchase lunch on workshop Charter Bus, Walking
5Bs: Bus, BRT, Blue Line, B-Line and Beer!
Noon – 5:00 pm
$65.00 includes 1 beverage at each stop and appetizers
Bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail (LRT), Streetcar, Walking
Explore first-hand projects in Portland and across the region, including in suburban cities and Vancouver, WA. Learn from local stakeholders about creating compact, diverse, people-friendly communities. AICP CM Credits will be available for Mobile Workshops; credits per workshop to come.
MW02 A New Fourth Plain Blvd: Mobility and Placekeeping on a BRT Corridor
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
$65.00 includes lunch
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Walking
MW04 Replacing Burnside Bridge: The View for Transportation, Business and Recreation 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
$65.00 Walking, Kayaking
MW03 East Portland TOD: Housing, Incubator Spaces, Mass Timber
10:30 am – 4:00 pm
$45.00 purchase lunch on workshop
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW05 Rolling through RIP City: Middle Housing in Portland 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$65.00
Bicycling, Walking
Mobile Workshops
Monday, October 27
MW06 Trees in the Curb Zone: Adding Canopy via Capitol Projects
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
$45.00
Bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Walking
MW09 Inside TriMet’s Public Safety Office: Team Work and Technology 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW07 Leave It to Beaverton: Redevelopment and TOD in a Suburban Setting
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
$45.00 purchase lunch on workshop Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW10 SMILE: You’re in a Complete Neighborhood 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
$45.00 purchase lunch on workshop Light Rail (LRT), Bicycling, Walking
Note: A steep hike during this workshop is not ADA accessible
MW08 Bicycling and Transit Priority Projects in Portland’s Central City
10:15 am – 12:15 pm
$65.00 Bicycling
MW11 Standing On Shoulders, Reaching for the Stars: Building MAX Orange Line 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW12 Sparking Joy in Portland! Placemaking and Community Quirkiness 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
$65.00 Bicycling
MW13 A Better Red: Partnerships for a Win-Win LRT Extension 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW14 Timbers, Thorns, Blazers: Portland’s Transit-Oriented Sports Venues 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Walking
MW15 The FX Progressive Tour: BRT Design, Land Use and Community 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
$45.00
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Walking
Mobile Workshops
Tuesday, October 28
MW16 Transit to Recreation in Troutdale
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
$65.00 purchase lunch on workshop Charter Bus, Walking, Kayaking
MW17 4Ts: Train, Tram, Tilikum, Trolley
10:15 am – 12:15 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Streetcar, Aerial Tram, Walking
MW18 Walk Portland with Better Wayfinding
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
$45.00 Walking
MW19 Street Plazas: Design, Partnerships, Operations and Activation 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
$65.00 purchase lunch on workshop Bicycling
MW20 SW Capitol Highway: Legacy Arterial to Multimodal Corridor 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
$45.00 Bus, Walking
MW21 Ride the FX on a TSP Cloud: Tech for Faster BRT
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
$45.00 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
MW22 A New Interstate Bridge: Design and Redevelopment for OR and WA
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Bus, Walking
Note: Not ADA accessible due to stairs
MW23 Portland Streetcar Extension and TOD District 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
$45.00 Streetcar, Walking
Note: Gaps in ADA accessibility along new streetcar alignment
MW24 Rose Lanes: Speeding up the Buses 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$45.00 Bus, Streetcar, Walking
MW25 New Housing in North Portland: Policy and Investment on MAX Yellow Line 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$45.00
Light Rail (LRT), Walking
Mobile Workshops
Wednesday, October 29
MW26 Hop on the Bike Bus: Joy and Transformation on the Way to School
7:00 am – 9:30 am
$65.00 Bicycling
MW27 The Future Heights District: Redevelopment in Vancouver, WA
8:30 am – 11:30 am
$65.00 Charter Bus, Walking
Registration Information
Opens June 20 Register at: mpactmobility.org/registernow See mpactmobility.org/schedule for conference schedule details.
Provide valid student ID scanned or onsite at check in $225
Provide valid student ID scanned or onsite at check in
What does conference registration cover? Activities on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, including the Welcome Reception, 3 plenaries, 60 + sessions, the Monday Wind-Down and Exhibitor Showcase Reception, the Tuesday Mpact PK Slam and other networking activities.
Do Mobile Workshops and Pre-Conference Events require separate fees? Yes, Mobile Workshops and Pre-Conference events have limited capacity and require separate fees, first come, first served. Registered attendees are limited to 2 Mobile Workshops until after the Early Bird deadline.
For registration questions, please contact: Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm CST Maureen Savage 734.239.8017 msavage@managedbyamr.com
What meals are provided with conference registration? Continental breakfast on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as well as the Closing Plenary lunch on Wednesday. No other meals are provided.
What is the cancellation policy? Cancellation requests received prior to September 5 will receive a full refund. Between September 5 and September 26, cancellations will receive a refund minus a $100 fee. After September 26, there are no refunds for cancellation of conference registration, mobile workshops or any add-on events. Persons who do not show up for the event will be responsible for the entire registration fee.
Conference Hotel
Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Book a Room mpactmobility.org/bookaroom
The room block opens on June 20. The conference rate expires on September 26 but may sell out sooner.
Rates: $195 + fees per night (no sales tax in Portland)
Get to the Hilton Portland Downtown from Portland International Airport via TriMet MAX Red Line light rail and from Amtrak via MAX Green Line or FX 2. The hotel, a few blocks from the Willamette River, is a great launching pad for exploring Portland on foot, by bike or scooter and (of course) via transit. There are great restaurants nearby – and across Portland. Explore!
Send a delegation to #MpactPDX
Leverage the conference experience by sending a delegation of ten or more attendees from your city or region. Delegations benefit from pre-conference planning, special learning opportunities during the conference, a post-conference debrief and special rates for approved delegations.
Interested?
Reach out to Kammy Horne, CEO, Mpact 512.809.3594, kammyh@mpactmobility.org.
Rail~Volution to Mpact: Celebrating 30 Years!
Mpact was founded in 1995 in Portland, Ore., when the first national Rail~Volution conference brought stakeholders together to focus on building a transportation system that serves a livable community, with citizen involvement. Attendees were encouraged to embrace the interrelationships between transportation decisions and land use, growth, air quality and more. They saw that mobility choices could contribute to quality of life or to its deterioration.
Moving to a different city each year, the conference now is
The place for change makers not afraid to challenge the status quo but practical, grounded in what it takes to get projects done
The place to confront challenges and find new approaches to redirecting infrastructure investments to unlock economic growth, especially in areas that have been bypassed
The place to showcase the multi-level benefits of transit-oriented communities
Over 30 Years, Rail~Volution, relaunched as Mpact in 2022, has forged a powerful network dedicated to leveraging the potential for transit, connected mobility options, supportive land use and development — taken together — to create better lives and brighter futures. Join us!
CONFERENCE HOST CITIES
M is for mobility, movement and momentum; pact is for the agreement with community about the vision transit and development projects are meant to achieve.
Brings the conference magic to communities large and small through place-based capacity building and leadership development.
Ways to connect yearround, with learning and fresh ideas from our network. The conference is the place to recharge, to share challenges and innovative, practical approaches to every aspect of building transit-oriented communities.
Find out more about Mpact at mpactmobility.org and on social @mpactmobility
1995 Portland
1996 Washington, DC 1997 St Louis, MO 1998 Portland
Dallas 2000 Denver
2001 San Francisco
2002 Washington, DC 2003 Atlanta
2004 Los Angeles
2005 Salt Lake City
2006 Chicago
2007 Miami
2008 San Francisco
2009 Boston
2010 Portland
2011 Washington, DC
2012 Los Angeles
2013 Seattle
2014 Minneapolis
2015 Dallas
2016 San Francisco
2017 Denver
2018 Pittsburgh
2019 Vancouver
2020 & 2021 Virtual
2022 Miami
Mpact Transit + Community
2023 Phoenix
2024 Philadelphia
2025 Portland
AECOM
CONFERENCE
Founded as Rail~ Volution
American Public Transportation Association
Arcadis
Austin Transit Partnership
Bay Area
Rapid Transit
Boothe Transit Consulting, LLC
Capital Metro
City and County of Honolulu
City of Charlotte, North Carolina
City of Portland, Oregon
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
David Evans and Associates, Inc.
Dialog evolve environment:: architecture
Gannett Fleming TranSystems
Greystone Real Estate Advisory Group HDR
Hennepin County, Minnesota
HNTB
InfraStrategies
Intellectual Concepts
Jacobs
Interested in
Thank you Mpact Partners!
Mpact Partners are the heart of our network. Leaders in their fields, they share our commitment to working with communities to shape transit, mobility and development investments to make great places to live – for everyone.
Contact Mpact CEO Kammy Horne: kammyh@mpactmobility.org
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA)
Kimley-Horn
LISC
Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO)
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Metropolitan Council, MN
Metropolitan Transpor tation Commission, CA
Mobilify SWPA
Mott MacDonald
Nelson\Nygaard
Oregon Metro
Parametrix
Perkins&Will
Pittsburgh
Regional Transit (PRT)
Regional Transportation District (RTD),
Denver
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
SEPTA
Sound Transit STV
