Woman in a plaid jacket facing the camera on a dusty road lit orange by the setting sun

trucking, fleet and EV · Reno

STN EXPO West 2027Exhibitor guide: booth costs, dates and deadlines in Reno

Peppermill ballroom, 1,000 bus pros: STN EXPO West 2027 booths in Reno

Event dates
July 8–14, 2027
Exhibit hall
Not confirmed yet
Venue
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno

4.9 star rating from clients3,000+ exhibitors10,000+ booths builtSince 2015

Kaizen Switchgear Products booth by Purple Exhibits: red and white Kaizen Switchgear Products booth, an example for STN EXPO West exhibitors in Reno
Built by PurpleKaizen Switchgear Products island
Barantech booth by Purple Exhibits: four staff posing in a white Barantech marine electronics booth, like the booths we plan for STN EXPO West
Built by PurpleBarantech inline booth
  • 62,000sq ft in the Tuscany Ballroom, per STN (2026) source
  • 1,000+pros expected at the 2026 trade show, per STN source
  • 32ftballroom ceiling height, per STN (2026) source
  • 50×50largest booth size STN sold in 2026 source

Quick answers

STN EXPO West 2027 in 30 seconds

STN EXPO West is the largest school transportation conference and trade show in the western United States, run by STN Media Group, publisher of School Transportation News. The 2027 edition runs July 8–14 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada; trade show days are not confirmed yet. In 2026 STN expected over 1,000 school transportation professionals on a floor in the 62,000-square-foot Tuscany Ballroom. Exhibitors include bus makers such as Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses, charging, propane and telematics suppliers. Booths sold from 10×20 to 50×50 in 2026, and attendees vote the Innovation Choice Awards. Purple builds bus islands and inlines for it from Las Vegas.

When is STN EXPO West 2027?
July 8–14, 2027, at Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno.
When is the hall open at STN EXPO West?
Not confirmed yet for 2027. In 2026 the trade show opened Monday, July 13, 5–9 p.m. (Wonderland of Ideas reception) and Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
How big is STN EXPO West?
1,000+ expected on the trade show floor attendees (2026 edition).
What is the all-in cost of a 10×20 booth at STN EXPO West?
$7,500 – $15,000 for a Purple rental, including design, graphics, lighting, install and dismantle. Space and show services are billed by STN EXPO West.

Trucking & fleet · Reno · 2027

62,000

square feet of Tuscany Ballroom for buses, chargers and booths (2026) source

The lookReno, Nevada 2027

High desert, yellow fleet.

STN EXPO West 2027 returns to the Peppermill in Reno, July 8–14. In 2026 STN expected over 1,000 school transportation professionals in the 62,000-square-foot Tuscany Ballroom, among buses, chargers and safety tech.

Smiling man in a black shirt standing in tall dry grass with the sun low over the hills
01Tall grass, low sun
Senior man in a cap looking out over hills and fields at sunset from a roadside
02A veteran's sunset view
Bearded man in a dark jacket smiling in bright sun with open desert country behind him
03Desert sun, easy smile
Straight two-lane highway running across a high desert valley toward distant mountains
04Valley highway to the ranges
Yellow school bus driving along a rural road between grassy verges under a pale sky
05A bus on the open road

Everything about STN EXPO West 2027 in one place

STN EXPO West 2027 fact sheet

STN EXPO West 2027 key facts
Official nameSTN EXPO West 2027
Event datesJuly 8–14, 2027
Exhibit hall datesNot confirmed yet
In 2026 the trade show opened Monday, July 13, 5–9 p.m. (Wonderland of Ideas reception) and Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
VenuePeppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89502
OrganizerSTN Media Group (School Transportation News)
Size (2026)1,000+ expected on the trade show floor attendees source
Who attendsSchool transportation directors, supervisors, trainers and fleet managers from districts and contractors
Nearest airportReno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Roughly 15 minutes from the Peppermill, per STN
HotelsSTN's Peppermill block; in 2026 it sold out, with a $20 discounted resort fee per night
Official hotel page →
Official websitestnexpo.com

Official STN EXPO West resources

STN EXPO West 2027 calendar

STN EXPO West 2027 show dates

The 2027 STN EXPO West show days, each linked to the page that states it.

  1. STN EXPO West 2027 opens at the Peppermill, Reno source
  2. Final day of STN EXPO West 2027; trade show days not confirmed yet source

01 Purple at STN EXPO West 2027

Peppermill ballroom, 1,000 bus pros: STN EXPO West 2027 booths in Reno

STN EXPO West is the biggest week on the school transportation calendar, and its trade show fills the Peppermill's 62,000-square-foot Tuscany Ballroom with buses, chargers and routing screens. We build for a Monday night reception crowd and a Tuesday morning buyer walk.

  • Jul 8–14 · Peppermill, Reno
  • 1,000+ pros on the 2026 floor
  • 62,000 sq ft Tuscany Ballroom

What makes STN EXPO West different, and how we build for it

STN EXPO West has run in Reno long enough to mark its 30th anniversary there in 2023, and it is a full week: training days, the Transportation Director Summit, the Bus Technology and Green Bus Summits, the Grandolfo Award and a trade show in the Peppermill's Tuscany Ballroom. In 2026 the floor opened with the Wonderland of Ideas reception on Monday night and closed after a Tuesday lunch, and STN expected over 1,000 school transportation professionals. Exhibitors range from Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses and IC Bus to Samsara, Geotab and Rosco Vision, and attendees vote the Innovation Choice Awards on site.

Transportation directors from Western districts

A bus to step into, a clear answer on electric range and charging, and a vendor who understands state funding cycles and summer purchasing.

Fleet and maintenance managers

Telematics, parts and uptime data from a counter they can stand at, and a technician who can talk wiring, lifts and diagnostics.

Safety and training leads

Camera, stop-arm and child-check demos, plus training content they can bring back to drivers before the school year starts in August.

Your team in Reno

How Purple runs STN EXPO West 2027

The booth is built and printed in Las Vegas, then trucked about seven hours north to the GES warehouse in Reno, so it reaches the Tuscany Ballroom with the rest of the freight. A Purple project manager installs it with the labor GES assigns, coordinates the bus spotting on move-in and sends the kit back to Las Vegas storage after strike.

Inside STN EXPO West 2027

62,000 sq ft in the Tuscany Ballroom, per STN (2026) source1,000+ pros expected at the 2026 trade show, per STN source32 ft ballroom ceiling height, per STN (2026) source50×50 largest booth size STN sold in 2026 source

STN EXPO West rules that shape your booth

Display buses follow GES spotting

STN's 2026 rules have every bus scheduled with GES and driven in and out behind a GES spotter, with a placement fee and limited space. We book the bus slot first, then design the island around where the bus will stop.

Organizer rule

Quarter tank, cables off

In 2026 a display bus could carry no more than a quarter tank of fuel, the cap taped or locked, battery cables disconnected and a protective covering under it. We bring the drip cover and the cap tape in our kit.

Organizer rule

Electrical through GES only

Power is not in the booth package and must be ordered from GES, while basic internet is free across the venue and high-speed lines cost extra (2026 rules). We size the power order from your screens, chargers and lighting.

Organizer rule

Unusual displays need GES sign-off

A written proposal for any unusual display goes to GES at least 30 days before the show (2026). We send drawings of tall towers, charger setups and bus-roof signs with it.

Organizer rule

Programs worth planning for

Innovation Choice Awards

Open to any exhibitor and voted on site by paid full conference attendees; in 2026, $350 per category, up to four categories, with a July 1 deadline. 2027 terms not confirmed yet.

Official details

Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit

Conference tracks on clean fuels, electrification and bus technology during the STN EXPO West week; in 2023 the Green Bus Summit ended with rides on seven green-technology school buses.

Official details

Transportation Director Summit

STN's leadership program for district transportation directors, held during the Reno week; the people who sign bus and software purchases.

Official details

Grandolfo Award

An STN EXPO award with its own page on the Reno site, presented during the conference week; nomination terms for 2027 are not confirmed yet.

Official details

STN EXPO West is the largest school transportation conference and trade show in the West; choose it over STN EXPO East when you need room for several buses, a two-session floor and the Innovation Choice Awards, not one evening in a smaller ballroom. Compare every automotive and transportation show we build for →

Who exhibits at STN EXPO West 2026

Exhibitors on the STN EXPO West 2026 floor plan. See the full list

  • Blue Bird
  • Thomas Built Buses
  • IC Bus
  • A-Z Bus Sales
  • First Student
  • AmeriGas Propane
  • Heliox, A Siemens Business
  • Microvast
  • Workhorse
  • Samsara
  • Geotab
  • Motive
  • AlphaRoute
  • Rosco Vision
  • Safe Fleet
  • 247 Security
  • Verra Mobility
  • BOSCH
  • Lincoln Electric
  • O2Cool

02 Booths & pricing for STN EXPO West 2027

What does a booth at STN EXPO West 2027 cost?

STN sold West booths in 2026 from $6,175 for a 10×20 up to $41,775 for a 50×50, with sizes like 20×35 and 35×50 that fit buses. Technology vendors take 10×20 and 20×20 spaces; bus makers and dealers take 20×40 to 50×50 islands with several buses. We recommend a 20×20 for a company showing one bus and a 10×20 for software.

Sedemac booth by Purple Exhibits: white inline booth for Sedemac innovative controls, shown for STN EXPO West exhibitors
Inline10×20$7,500 – $15,000all-in rental

Two screens for routing or camera footage, a backlit wall with the safety claim and a counter where a trainer can try the software.

Shown: a Purple inline booth for Sedemac

See 10×20 rental booths →
Evodrop / Sulzer booth by Purple Exhibits: blue-and-white Swiss-branded Evodrop and Sulzer water treatment booth, a Purple build like the booths we plan for STN EXPO West
Inline10×30$12,000 – $22,000all-in rental

A counter, a demo screen and a short wall of district case results, with room for two reps during the busy Monday reception.

Above: Evodrop / Sulzer, a Purple inline booth

See 10×30 rental booths →
SHC Heavy Industry booth by Purple Exhibits: sHC Heavy Industry booth in use, like the booths we plan for STN EXPO West
Island20×20$16,000 – $40,000all-in rental

One bus on a branded floor with freestanding panels on two sides and a charging or camera demo point beside the entry door.

Shown: SHC Heavy Industry, a Purple island exhibit

See 20×20 rental booths →
Bonomi booth by Purple Exhibits: two-storey white Bonomi booth with a huge LED wall showing a train image, an example for STN EXPO West exhibitors in Reno
Island20×30+$25,000 – $55,000all-in rental

Bus makers and dealers: two or three buses, a charger, a lounge for the reception and a counter for financing and service programs.

Shown: a Purple large-format exhibit for Bonomi

See 20×30 rental booths →

In Purple's price

  • Booth design with a 3D rendering, revised until it is right
  • Structure, printed graphics, counters and storage as specified
  • Booth lighting, with power distributed inside the booth
  • Setup and teardown, with our project manager on the STN EXPO West floor
  • Show-service orders and deadlines for STN EXPO West, tracked on your behalf

Billed by STN EXPO West and its contractor

  • Booth space, paid to STN Media Group
  • Material handling (drayage) at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, where the space rate does not include it
  • Electrical, internet and rigging orders for STN EXPO West
  • Booth cleaning and any union labor the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino requires

Rates to plan with for STN EXPO West:

  • STN 2026 booth rates 10×20 $6,175; 20×20 $10,575; 20×40 $17,575; 50×50 $41,775; 10% more after the early date source
  • Innovation Choice entry (2026) $350 per category, up to four categories source
  • Lead capture (2026) $350 per device, $400 bought on site source
  • Booth build 10×20 rental $7,500–$15,000; custom 20×20 $50,000–$120,000, Purple's 2026 planning range source

Before you sign, your proposal already estimates each of these show charges, so the STN EXPO West total is on paper.

Ranges shown are all-in 2026 rental prices for design, structure, graphics, installation and dismantle at STN EXPO West; custom builds get their own quote. Run your STN EXPO West numbers in the booth cost calculator and the 2026 booth cost guide.

No fee left off: every STN EXPO West cost is listed upfront, on paper.
Send us your booth size for STN EXPO West and what the space needs to do. We reply within one business day, then send a rendering and a fixed proposal, usually within a week. No charge.
Get my STN EXPO West proposal

The booth we would build for STN EXPO West 2027

The bus-and-charger island

At STN EXPO West the bus is the product, and in 2026 electric buses and chargers stood next to propane and diesel. This booth puts a bus on a branded floor with its charger plugged in, under a sign that clears the roof in a 32-foot room, and keeps the conversation at bus height.

Electric routes, on time, every morning. 01Bus deckA printed floor and two freestandingpanels framing the bus, with a step-upspot at the door where a director…02Charge pointThe charger or fueling unit beside thebus, with a small screen showingkilowatt-hours, charge time and…03Spec counterA counter with the bus spec sheet,funding and grant notes and a QR panel,for the purchasing question that…04Reception edgeA lit corner with a high table for theMonday evening crowd, where the dealermeets the directors from its territory. MAIN AISLE CROSS AISLE CROSS AISLE
Concept plan for STN EXPO West, not to scale: zones follow the show rules on this page; your final plan is drawn to your space and the organizer's rules.
01

Bus deck

A printed floor and two freestanding panels framing the bus, with a step-up spot at the door where a director can look down the aisle and at the lift.

02

Charge point

The charger or fueling unit beside the bus, with a small screen showing kilowatt-hours, charge time and route range for a typical district day.

03

Spec counter

A counter with the bus spec sheet, funding and grant notes and a QR panel, for the purchasing question that comes after the walk-through.

04

Reception edge

A lit corner with a high table for the Monday evening crowd, where the dealer meets the directors from its territory.

The demo

Walk a director through one school day on the bus: lift down, camera view on the screen, then the route on the charger display showing how many miles remain at 3 p.m., in under three minutes.

The meetings

STN runs no meeting scheduler, but nearly everyone stays at the Peppermill, and the Transportation Director Summit gathers buyers during the week. Book breakfasts in the resort and invite directors to the Tuesday session, when the 2026 floor was calmer and lunch was served.

Electric routes, on time, every morning.
What the back wall could say at STN EXPO West
Prime Video booth by Purple Exhibits: open Prime Video experiential space with a pink-to-blue gradient back wall, Purple work to compare for your STN EXPO West booth

Your team walks into a lit, stocked STN EXPO West booth. You just show up.

Purple Exhibits designed, built and installed this Prime Video island

03 Built by Purple

STN EXPO West booths built around the bus

KLEEMANN booth by Purple Exhibits, a project to compare for STN EXPO West

Case study · KLEEMANN

KLEEMANN at an industrial technology exhibition

KLEEMANN's booth made a heavy engineered product easy to grasp through interactive displays; a bus or charging company at STN EXPO West has to make drivetrains, lifts and safety systems clear to directors in the same way.

Read the KLEEMANN case study All case studies →

“They handle everything end to end so clients can really just show up and not worry about anything. Doesn’t get any better than that.”

Tess Bockes, Exit King Realty · more Purple client reviews
10,000+ booths built3,000+ exhibitors served4.9★ client ratingSince 2015

Trusted by exhibitors including

Philippine AirlinesKLEEMANNNantsuneEagle ChemicalsRPS GroupFIMI Group

04 Designing for school bus manufacturers, electric and propane bus suppliers, routing, camera and student safety technology companies at STN EXPO West

Designing for the Peppermill's Tuscany Ballroom

Mountains near Reno at sunset reflected in the tall window of a pale stone building1

Use the 32-foot ceiling

The Tuscany Ballroom gives 32 feet of clear height, so a tall lit tower or a sign above a bus island can be seen from the ballroom doors. We design within STN's rules and the Peppermill's rigging, and keep the brand above bus roof height.

Upholsterer hand-stitching a gray leather panel for a custom car interior2

Two floor sessions, two moods

In 2026 the floor opened as an evening reception and then for a three-hour Tuesday morning with lunch. We build lighting for the evening and a calm, seated demo spot for Tuesday, when directors return with questions and purchase timelines.

3

Enter the Innovation Choice Awards

Attendees vote the Innovation Choice Awards on site, and in 2026 an entry cost $350 per category. We put a voting call-out and the product name on a panel at the aisle, so voters can find the product they just heard about.

4

Plan for summer buying

July is when districts finish budgets and spec buses for the school year. We give the back wall one result a director can quote to a board, and a QR panel to a spec sheet the purchasing office can open later.

Purple Exhibits 3D booth concept for B&H, an example for STN EXPO West planning

Concept rendering

Your STN EXPO West proposal comes with a rendering like this

Layout, graphics, lighting and product positions are all in the 3D view, revised until right, before a single panel is cut for STN EXPO West. Above: a Purple concept for B&H.

Start my STN EXPO West concept

Floor at a glance

Where you could be at STN EXPO West 2027

STN EXPO West runs through the Peppermill Resort, with the trade show in one ballroom. These are the spaces that shape a booth, from STN's 2026 pages.

ATuscany Ballroom
BPeppermill hotel and resort
CTraining and summit rooms
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, RenoSchematic, not to scale
A

Tuscany Ballroom

The trade show floor: 62,000 square feet, a 32-foot ceiling and no floor-load limit, per STN's 2026 exhibit page; the floor plan numbers booths in the 100s to 700s.

Our advice Bus islands need a path from the dock; we confirm the drive-in route with GES before placing a bus deep in the room.

B

Peppermill hotel and resort

Attendees stay on site at the resort; in 2026 the discounted block sold out and the discounted resort fee was $20 a night.

Our advice Everyone sleeps in the building, so morning sessions and evening receptions keep the same crowd near your booth all week.

C

Training and summit rooms

The Transportation Director Summit, Bus Technology and Green Bus Summits and special training sessions run in the resort's meeting rooms during the week.

Our advice Put session-related demos on the side of the booth facing the ballroom doors that session crowds use.

05 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino · Reno

STN EXPO West 2027 GES freight, bus spotting and Reno move-in

The Peppermill is a resort, so freight goes through GES, the official decorator, which runs a Reno warehouse and handles freight, demo vehicles and the loading docks; STN takes no responsibility for crates sent elsewhere. Buses are scheduled with GES, driven in and out only with a GES spotter, carry no more than a quarter tank behind a taped or lockable cap, have battery cables disconnected and sit on a protective cover, and a Display Vehicle Placement fee applies. GES sends its service kit about 60 days before the event. Purple builds in our Las Vegas shop, trucks to the GES warehouse, and our project manager installs with the labor GES assigns.

What Purple handles

  • Bus-island and inline booths built in our Las Vegas shop
  • GES warehouse freight from Las Vegas to Reno
  • Bus placement, spotting and fuel-rule paperwork with GES
  • Lighting for the Monday evening reception
  • Innovation Choice Awards panels and voting graphics
  • Storage and reuse for STN EXPO East in Concord

STN EXPO West timeline, counted back from move-in

We need your STN EXPO West design signed off by About 10 weeks before move-in.

  1. Early 2027Book space when STN opens 2027 sales; booth rates rose 10% after an early date in 2026, so earlier is cheaper.
  2. About 10 weeks before move-inDesign sign-off for walls, counter, screens and bus-frame panels; Innovation Choice entry chosen.
  3. About 60 days before the eventGES service kit arrives; we order power, carpet and bus placement and file Purple's paperwork.
  4. May–June 2027Production in our Las Vegas shop; insurance certificate to STN by its 2027 deadline.
  5. About 3 weeks before move-inCrates trucked from Las Vegas to the GES warehouse in Reno.
  6. July 8–14, 2027Conference week; 2027 setup and trade show days not confirmed yet. In 2026 setup ran Sunday and Monday before a Monday evening opening.

Purple's planning timeline for STN EXPO West. Your exhibitor kit and assigned schedule set the official move-in, freight target and order deadlines, and we confirm each one against your booth when you book.

Print the STN EXPO West budget & deadline sheet

Before you book STN EXPO West 2027

STN EXPO West habits that save money in Reno

  1. In 2026 STN raised every Reno booth rate by 10% after February 2, so book 2027 space in the first weeks sales open. source

  2. The 2026 Peppermill room block sold out; when STN opens the 2027 block, book your whole team the same day, because a room across town means a cab to every session. source

  3. Basic internet is free across the venue, but a demo that streams video or a cloud dashboard needs the high-speed line ordered from the GES kit. source

  4. Innovation Choice voting is done on site by paid full conference attendees, so a product entered in the awards needs a visible name panel and a staffer ready to explain it at the aisle. source

  5. In 2026 dismantling had to finish by 9 p.m. after the close, and exhibitors got four badges with a 10×20 and $150 each for more; plan return flights for the next morning. source

Who you meet on the floor

District transportation directors

They run the Transportation Director Summit week in Reno and use the trade show to compare buses, routing and safety vendors before school starts.

Student transportation contractors

Operators such as First Student exhibit and attend, buying vehicles and technology for fleets they run for districts.

Clean-fleet planners

The Green Bus Summit draws the people writing electric and propane bus plans and grant applications for their districts.

Trainers and safety supervisors

STN's special training days bring the staff who teach drivers and judge cameras, stop arms and child-check systems.

Side by side

STN EXPO West vs ACT Expo vs NPTC Annual Conference: 2027 at a glance

STN EXPO West vs ACT Expo vs NPTC Annual Conference: 2027 at a glance
STN EXPO WestACT ExpoNPTC Annual Conference
DatesJuly 8–14, 2027May 17–20, 2027May 6–8, 2027
WhereReno, NV · Peppermill Resort Spa CasinoLas Vegas, NV · Las Vegas Convention CenterOrlando, FL · Orlando World Center Marriott
Size62,000 square feet of Tuscany Ballroom for buses, chargers and booths (2026)400+ sponsors and exhibitors at ACT Expo 20261,200+ attendees expected in 2027, per NPTC
Main buyersDistrict transportation directorsFleet operators and shippersPrivate fleet directors at retailers and grocers
Booth spaceSTN 2026 booth rates: 10×20 $6,175; 20×20 $10,575; 20×40 $17,575; 50×50 $41,775; 10% more after the early dateBooth space: $5,500 (10×10 inline) to $22,000 (20×20 island), 2027 ratesMember booths, 2027: 10×10 $2,895; 10×20 $5,495; 20×20 $9,895; 20×30 $13,350

Figures carry the year and source shown on each show's own page.

Travel to STN EXPO West 2027

Getting to STN EXPO West 2027: airport and hotels

Fly in

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Roughly 15 minutes from the Peppermill, per STN

Stay

STN's Peppermill block; in 2026 it sold out, with a $20 discounted resort fee per night

Official STN EXPO West hotels →

Find the venue

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89502

Open in Google Maps →

Travel facts from stnexpo.com.

STN EXPO West by the numbers

STN EXPO West year by year

2026
1,000+ expected on the trade show floor attendees
Reno source
2023
30th anniversary edition attendees
Reno source
AttendeesExhibitors

How STN EXPO West 2027 compares with other automotive and transportation shows

The automotive and transportation shows closest to STN EXPO West on the calendar, with the latest size each organizer has published. Each name other than STN EXPO West opens our exhibitor guide for that show.

ShowDatesCityLatest published size
Seatrade Cruise GlobalInforma MarketsApril 5–8, 2027Miami Beach, FL12,500+ attendees · 650+ exhibitors (2026)
ITS AmericaITS America (Intelligent Transportation Society of America)April 12–15, 2027Salt Lake City, UT3,000+ attendees · 170 exhibitors (2026)
MRO AmericasAviation Week NetworkApril 13–15, 2027Orlando, FL19,000 attendees · 1,075 exhibitors (2026)
Central States Collision ConferenceCentral States Collision Conference (KABAApril 23–24, 2027Wichita, KSFirst edition exhibitors (2027)
SAE WCXSAE InternationalApril 27–29, 2027Novi, MI–
The Car Wash ShowInternational Carwash AssociationMay 3–5, 2027Las Vegas, NV9,000+ attendees · 455 exhibitors (2026)
NPTC Annual ConferenceNational Private Truck Council (NPTC)May 6–8, 2027Orlando, FL1,200+ attendees expected (2027)
ACT ExpoTRC CompaniesMay 17–20, 2027Las Vegas, NV400+ exhibitors (2026)
NIADA Convention & ExpoNational Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA)June 20–23, 2027Nashville, TN1,800+ attendees · 167 exhibitors (2026)
STN EXPO WestSTN Media Group (School Transportation News)July 8–14, 2027Reno, NV1,000+ expected on the trade show floor attendees (2026)

STN EXPO West exhibitor questions

STN EXPO West 2027 questions exhibitors ask

When is STN EXPO West 2027?

July 8–14, 2027, at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada, per STN. The full 2027 site and the trade show days are not confirmed yet; in 2026 the floor opened Monday, July 13, 5–9 p.m. and Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Where is STN EXPO West held?

In the Peppermill Resort at 2707 S. Virginia St., Reno, where the trade show fills the Tuscany Ballroom: 62,000 square feet with a 32-foot ceiling and no floor-load limit, per STN's 2026 exhibit page. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about 15 minutes away.

How much does a booth at STN EXPO West cost?

In 2026 STN charged $6,175 for a 10×20, $10,575 for a 20×20, $17,575 for a 20×40 and $41,775 for a 50×50, rising 10% after an early-year date. 2027 rates are not confirmed yet. Purple's build adds $7,500 to $15,000 for a rented 10×20 with graphics.

How many people attend STN EXPO West?

Over 1,000 school transportation professionals, per STN's 2026 trade show page. They are directors, supervisors, trainers and fleet managers from school districts and student transportation contractors.

Who exhibits at STN EXPO West?

Bus makers, fuel and charging suppliers and safety technology firms: the 2026 list ran from Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses, IC Bus and A-Z Bus Sales to AmeriGas Propane, Heliox, Microvast, Samsara, Geotab, Motive, Rosco Vision and Safe Fleet.

Can we display a school bus at STN EXPO West?

Yes, scheduled with GES: buses drive in and out with a GES spotter, hold no more than a quarter tank behind a taped or locking cap, have the battery cables disconnected and sit on a protective cover. A Display Vehicle Placement fee applies, and space is limited.

Who is the decorator at STN EXPO West?

GES. It handles freight through its Reno warehouse, demo vehicles and the loading docks, and sends a customized service kit about 60 days before the event. Electrical is ordered through GES, while basic internet is free across the venue.

What are the Innovation Choice Awards?

An STN EXPO award voted on site by paid full conference attendees, open to any exhibitor. In 2026 an entry cost $350 per category, up to four categories per product, with a July 1 submission deadline; 2027 terms are not confirmed yet.

What comes with an STN EXPO West booth?

Per STN's 2026 exhibitor details, each 10×10 unit came dressed with aluminum pipe, drape at the back and on low side rails, a draped 6-foot table, two chairs and an 11×17 sign; bigger spaces got more furniture. Carpet and special signs come from GES.

How many badges do exhibitors get at STN EXPO West?

Four with a 10×20 and six with a 20×20 or larger in 2026, each giving access to keynotes, workshops and the trade show. Additional exhibitor badges cost $150 each that year.

Where should STN EXPO West exhibitors stay?

At the Peppermill itself: in 2026 STN's discounted room block sold out, with a discounted resort fee of $20 a night plus a $2 tourism surcharge. Book the 2027 block as soon as STN opens it.

What is the difference between STN EXPO West and STN EXPO East?

West is the larger edition: a week in Reno with a 62,000-square-foot ballroom, sizes up to 50×50 and two trade show sessions in 2026. East in Concord, North Carolina, has a 28,800-square-foot ballroom and a single Sunday evening floor.

Is STN EXPO West worth it for an electric bus or charging supplier?

It is one of the best fits: the Green Bus Summit runs during the week, and the 2026 floor drew charging and battery suppliers such as Heliox and Microvast. A 20×20 with a bus and a charger shows the whole system.

Before you sign for STN EXPO West

Five things to ask every builder quoting STN EXPO West:

  1. Will you schedule our bus placement with GES and handle the spotter, fuel and battery rules at the Peppermill?
  2. How will freight move from your Las Vegas shop to the GES warehouse in Reno, and when does it need to leave?
  3. Can a sign or tower clear our bus roof inside the Tuscany Ballroom's 32-foot ceiling and STN's rules?
  4. How much GES power do our charger, screens and lighting need, and who orders the high-speed internet?
  5. Can the booth strike and load out the evening the trade show closes?

What STN EXPO West exhibitors ask us

The 2027 trade show days are not published. How do we plan? Plan the build now and the travel later. The structure, graphics and bus slot do not depend on the exact day, and in 2026 the floor opened Monday evening and Tuesday morning, so we hold the same pattern until STN posts 2027 times.

Is a bus worth the GES placement fee? For a bus, lift, seating or camera company, yes: the bus is what directors walk up to. For routing or parent apps, a 10×20 with two screens sells as well and avoids spotting and fuel paperwork.

Can we reuse an STN EXPO East booth here? Yes. Both shows share STN's booth rates and GES as decorator, so we size the kit to fit a 10×20 in Concord and grow it with extra panels for a larger Reno space.

Get a proposal

Tell us about your STN EXPO West booth

Add booth details (optional)

A reply about STN EXPO West within one business day. The rendering and fixed proposal usually take about a week. No charge, no commitment.

Your request goes straight to Purple’s exhibit team.

What happens next

  1. You get a reply within one business day, asking about your products, goals and footprint at STN EXPO West.
  2. A concept rendering and a fixed proposal usually follow within a week. No fee left off: every STN EXPO West cost is listed upfront, on paper.
  3. Production runs 30–45 days, then we ship to the advance warehouse and install before the STN EXPO West hall opens.
Photo credits