Authored by Taylor Pitel, Director of Policy

On October 21 & 22, the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) hosted our Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA. The event brought together Members, the Board of Directors, Policy Board, and Staff for strategic networking and exclusive updates on CTE's latest initiatives and future direction.

Day One: Laying the Foundation for 2025 Advocacy

The event opened with a Policy Strategy Session for CTE's Leadership Circle Members, setting the stage for a year of focused advocacy and partnership. Discussions covered CTE's priority markets, Core Advocacy Principles, and 2025 Legislative Agenda, emphasizing accessible technical assistance and transition planning for fleets, building reliable and resilient infrastructure, and advancing zero-emission technology through research and demonstration.

Key insights on the future of zero-emission transportation were shared by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 representatives and CTE’s Policy Advisory Board Members, including Chair John D. Porcari and former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio. Leadership Circle Members concluded the session by sharing their policy priorities, underscoring a shared commitment to zero-emission advocacy. The day closed with a Welcome Reception bringing together CTE Staff, Members, and local fleets in Atlanta.

Day Two: Vision, Growth, and Collaborative Solutions

The second day convened all CTE Members, the Board of Directors, the Policy Board, and CTE Staff for a full-day session focused on project updates, strategic growth, and organizational development. Presentations showcased CTE’s engineering-driven approach to project execution across key medium- and heavy-duty markets, with a focus on continued success in the transit sector and exciting new initiatives at airports, ports, and expanding the hydrogen ecosystem.

This year’s case studies were enriched by insights and remarks from member companies, offering firsthand perspectives on challenges, breakthroughs, and the collaborative efforts between CTE and its Members that drive these groundbreaking projects forward. The day concluded with an evening gathering, providing Members an opportunity to deepen connections and share industry insights in a more informal setting.

CTE and our Members are energized to build on the insights and connections from this year’s Annual Meeting as we drive toward a fully zero-emission transportation future.