Here’s why you don’t want to miss TCamp 2026!
TransportationCamp DC is returning on January 10, 2026! TCamp is a space for anyone from seasoned transportation pros to first-time “Campers” to come together and share ideas, challenge assumptions, and spark new ideas and connections. Check out these testimonials from our team at Transportation for America and Smart Growth America, as well as from former attendees, about what makes this event so special!
TransportationCamp brings together hundreds of people who care deeply about transportation—and that’s exactly what makes this event so special. It’s the people, their ideas, and the energy we build together. What happens at TCamp goes far beyond that day, from forging close relationships to sparking ideas that can help transform our transportation system to work better for everyone, this event is one you don’t want to miss. Here’s what staff and past attendees have to say.
What makes TransportationCamp DC unforgettable?
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of getting up in front of everyone at the start of the day and seeing that huge crowd of 300-plus people in person for the first time. The energy of that opening session is unmatched, I think my favorite part of Camp is just how creative people get with the sessions.”
— Steve Davis, T4America
“At TransportationCamp DC in 2020, I participated in a session entitled ‘Cage Fight: EVs vs. VMT.’ It was a feisty debate, but a great way to get folks in the same room to fight it out and then come together. It’s moments like these that keep campers coming back year after year…the mix of curiosity, collaboration, and friendly debate that pushes ideas forward.”
— Chris Rall, Smart Growth America
TCamp is a place to connect and find your people
“My favorite TCamp memory is from TCamp24 when I was a recent graduate and freshly unemployed. I got to grab a drink with the lunch speaker, former Emeryville mayor John Bauters, and he gave me some encouraging words during a very discouraging job search. Two months later, I started at T4America!”
— Jaibin Mathew, T4America
“I went to my first TCamp in 2024. I remember attending a session all about researching your passion and found myself sharing my interests in data storytelling. To my surprise, two other people in the small group expressed similar interests. The like-mindedness and curiosity of campers at TransportationCamp made it easy to feel included, and I learned that it didn’t matter what my background or experience was. If you are willing to learn, there are endless opportunities to inherit new nuggets of knowledge.”
— Rachel Ellis, Smart Growth America
“After my first TransportationCamp, I realized just how many people out there are passionate about transportation, and how often you end up crossing paths with them again and again. Having recently moved to Washington, DC, it became an instant community for me. I met planners and transportation folks I still run into regularly, whether at work or out in the city.”
— Eric Cova, Smart Growth America
Why TCamp DC is unique
“It’s hard to find another conference where not only can you propose your own session and do something really interesting, but you’re surrounded by hundreds of people doing the same.”
— Steve Davis“I was very pleased by the enthusiastic response to the notion that transportation infrastructure can be self-financing and better integrated with affordable and sustainable land use through land value return.”
— Rick Rybeck, TCamper
Looking ahead to TCamp 2026
“The relationship-building and idea-swapping and just general hanging out is one of the richest experiences of TransportationCamp.”
— Steve Davis“I’ve had some of the most insightful and interesting conversations at TransportationCamp, with folks from across the country and region. I was so sad to see it cancelled in 2025 so I’m excited to welcome it back for 2026!”
— Kevin O’Brien, TCamper
Why TCamp matters to Smart Growth America and T4America
“The greatest value of TCamp is creating a space for sharing lessons, encouraging one another, telling our stories, and letting passion and ideas mix in powerful ways.”
— Steve Davis“Unlike traditional conferences that seem frozen in time, TransportationCamp sessions are consistently rooted in the biggest challenges and opportunities facing transportation today, which stands in stark contrast to traditional conferences that haven’t evolved much over the years. TransportationCamp keeps moving forward because the people behind it do.” -Beth Osborne, Smart Growth America
TransportationCamp is a time where anyone can contribute ideas that help shape safer, more accessible, and more connected communities. For many, TCamp is where professional networks, careers, and friendships begin. Whether you’re a student, a policy expert, or an advocate, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who share your commitment to making transportation safer, more sustainable, and more accessible.
This year’s Camp will build on its signature blend of deep discussions and dynamic energy, plus important and timely conversations about the upcoming federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, goals for local transit, and what’s in store for the future.
We hope to see you Saturday, January 10th, at the Catholic University of America’s Edward J Pryzbala Center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Buy your ticket today to secure your spot!