The 2025 Summit Archive has been posted:
(Previous info)
The 2025 Community Streetcar Coalition Summit in Portland is Here!
The Community Streetcar Coalition is thrilled to partner with Portland Streetcar Inc. (PSI) to host the 14th Annual Streetcar Summit in the city that pioneered the modern streetcar movement. Mark your calendars for this exciting event, where industry professionals will come together to share insights, exchange ideas, and provide updates on the latest developments across streetcar properties.
PSI has assembled an exceptional lineup of speakers who will present a comprehensive view of the streetcar landscape. Topics will include success stories, innovative partnerships, strategic investments, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers and explore the transformative power of streetcars in urban mobility and community building.
REGISTRATION CLOSED MONDAY, APRIL 14
Please find loads of helpful information related to the summit below!
Summit Program
The summit schedule is available as a PDF which you can download to your device and/or print:
Location & Dates
Our 14th Annual Summit well be held at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon, Monday April 28 – Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Note: The Summit Room Block at the Sentinel is FULL.
Additional Hotels Close-by:
- Hyatt Centric Downtown (3 min walk)
- Moxy Portland Downtown (2 min walk)
- Hilton Portland Downtown (10 min walk)
Transit Passes
When you pick up your registration packet, you will receive your pass.
Dining and Attractions
- The Best Restaurants in Downtown Portland (external link)
- “Near me Now” – The Official Portland App (description below)
Travel Portland’s team of professional Portland fans has selected some of our favorite restaurants, attractions, shops, bars and more to give you a local’s perspective on this dynamic, delicious city. You’ll also find historic insights, public art and fun facts, as well as today’s events at venues all over town. Downloading Near Me Now — the official Portland app — is like having a personal guide to the city right in your pocket!
Summit Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring? Download our Sponsor Guide PDF:
Contact Us to become a sponsor.
Schedule
(Last updated April 25, 2025)
Registration Hours/Location:
- Monday, April 28, – Open from 9 am – 5 pm – Sentinel Hotel, 3rd Floor, Chamber Room
- Tuesday, April 29 – Open at 7:30 am – Sentinel Hotel, 3rd Floor, Chamber Room
Early Event Schedule
Sunday, April 27
If you’re planning to come in early and looking for some fun things to do, please see the list below. These curated items are “on your own” and are not sponsored by the Coalition:
Ponzi Winery
Ponzi Vineyards, founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi in 1968, is a pioneering winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They planted their first vines with a focus on producing world-class Pinot Noir in the region’s cool climate. Known for their sustainable, low-intervention approach, Ponzi built a gravity-flow winery in 2008 and a modern tasting room in 2013.
In 2021, Ponzi was acquired by Groupe Bollinger, marking its first property outside France. Despite this, Ponzi Vineyards continues to blend natural, earthy winemaking with refined sophistication, maintaining its legacy as an acclaimed Oregon producer.
19500 SW Mountain Home Rd., Sherwood OR 97140
Open Daily 11:00am-4:00pm
Last seating at 3:30pm*
35 miles from Sentinel Hotel (Uber)
Wine Tastings: Tastings & Experiences – Ponzi Vineyards
CSC Coordinated Activities
There are activities that CSC has coordinated. You will need to sign up for these activities. Any fees associated with these activities will be paid for by the participant.
Operations Tour(s); various times available on Sunday and Monday.
Meet PSI tour guide in the Sentinel Hotel Lobby, take the streetcar and walk to the O&M facility, return with tour guide or explore more sites on your own. You must sign up for a time slot – (Limit 10 people per time slot.)
Walking Tour of the Montgomery Park Extension, Sunday, 3-5:00 PM.
Dan Bower will take participants on the streetcar and then walk along the alignment. Afterwards, participants and others are welcome to join Dan at Breakside Brewery to discuss the project. (Limit 15)
Montgomery Park Extension Walking Tour Sign-Up
Main Summit Schedule
Monday, April 28
9AM-5PM – Registration and Check In
- Sentinel Hotel, 3rd Floor, Chamber Room
10AM – Working Group Meetings – Get Involved!
- Sentinel Hotel, 2nd Floor
- Legislative Working Group: Chair, Bill Umbenhaur, Library
- Communications Working Group: Chair, Donna Mandelbaum, Card Room
- Membership Working Group: Chair, Jennifer Delong, Fireside Room
1:30PM – Student Session: PSU Planning Department
- Toulan School of Urban Studies, Parsons Gallery, RM 212
The student session will showcase the vibrant streetcar industry. Businesses will highlight diverse career paths, share internship and job opportunities, and set the stage for an exciting career.
Moderator: Professor Aaron Golub
Panel: Jennifer DeLong, Stacy Witbeck; Lauren Cochran, Stadler; Lauren Krutty, Kansas City Streetcar; Isabella Walsh, HDR; Andrew Plambeck, Portland Streetcar, Inc.
5:30PM – Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Stacy Witbeck
- Fortune, Sentinel Hotel, 1st Floor
Speakers: Andy Auxier, Stacy Witbeck, Regional Manager; Dan Bower, Portland Streetcar, Inc., Executive Director; Millicent Williams, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Director; Mayor Keith Wilson, City of Portland
Tuesday, April 29
7:30AM – Registration
- Sentinel Hotel, 3rd Floor, Chamber Room
8:00AM – Breakfast Served
- Renaissance Room, 3rd Floor
8:30AM – Property Report: Insights and Innovations
Sponsored by HNTB
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
During this session, we will start with a CSC and working group update, and then each property represented at the meeting will provide fare structure, vehicle manufacturer, length of line, date started, as well as report on current projects and ridership.
Moderator: Christy Willhite, Community Streetcar Coalition
Speakers: Luke Olson, HNTB; Dan Bower, Community Streetcar Coalition, Chair; Working Group Chairs; Streetcar Property Representatives
10:15AM From the Beginning
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
This session will dive into Portland’s pioneering investment in the Pearl District and how that initial
commitment transformed the neighborhood into one of the city’s most dynamic and livable areas.
Moderator: Chris Smith, Portland Streetcar Inc., Incoming Board Chair
Speakers: Lisa Abuaf, Prosper Portland; Rick Gustafson, former Portland Streetcar Inc. Director;
Alan Lehto, TriMet, Senior Director, Planning; Art Pearce, City of Portland Deputy Director, Planning, Projects and Programs
Noon – Keynote Luncheon – Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension
Sponsored by Sundt
- Governor Ballroom, 4th Floor
Moderator: Tom LeBeau, Sundt Construction
Speakers: Dan Bower, Portland Streetcar, Inc.; Brian Ames, 1535 LLC (Property Owner); Mauricio LeClerc, City of Portland Bureau of Transportation; Patricia Diefenderfer, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
1:45PM – Planning for the Long-Term
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
This session will include a discussion about investments in an aging system, planning for expansion, and how agencies plan for capital investment long-term.
Moderator: Shankar Rajaram, Sound Transit
Speakers: Jason Krause, Portland Streetcar, Inc; Curtis Ailes, City of Seattle; Nicholas Stadem, HDR Inc.
3:00PM – Technology Showcase and Snack
Sponsored by Herzog
- Renaissance Room, 3rd Floor
Vendors will be introduced, cookies will be served, and conversations will be had.
Welcome: Jon Schlegel, Herzog
Moderator: Andrew Plambeck, Portland Streetcar, Inc.
Vendors: Bosch US, CONVEY, Irwin Car and Equipment, Kimley-Horn, Siemens, Stadler, Transdev, The Willamette Valley Company
5:00PM – Streetcar Bingo
You’ll be given a bingo card at registration. Explore the streetcar system and mark your card. Don’t forget to take selfies along the way. Completed cards will be put into drawing for a PSI Lego-like set at the Reception.
5:30PM – Reception at Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Speakers: Dick Davis, Portland Streetcar, Inc., Board Chair; Sam Desue Jr., TriMet, General Manager; Erin Graham, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, President and CEO
Directions:
- STREETCAR: From SW 11th/Alder take the B Loop, Exit OMSI/SE Water Ave stop
- LIGHT RAIL (Orange Line MAX): SW 5th/Washington, Exit OMSI/SW Water Ave stop
Wednesday, April 30
8:00AM – Breakfast Served
- Renaissance Room, 3rd Floor
8:30AM-9:30AM – Restorative Development in a Historically Black Neighborhood
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
The Albina Vision Trust is moving forward a strategy of investment in 94 acres of central city real estate where construction of the I-5 freeway and major spectator venues largely displaced a thriving Black community.
Moderator: Caitlin Reff, City of Portland Bureau of Transportation
Speakers: Winta Yohannes, Albina Vision Trust; JT Flowers, Albina Vision Trust
9:30AM – Marketing and Communications Session
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Moderator: Andrew Plambeck, Portland Streetcar Inc, Public Affairs
Speakers: Leslie Carlson, In Common Agency; John Brady, Portland Streetcar Inc. Board Member; Maritza Collazo, TriMet, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
11:00AM – Next Stop, Kansas City!
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Speaker: Tom Gerend, Kansas City Streetcar
11:30AM – Grab a box lunch!
Noon – State of the Industry Report
- Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor
HDR will discuss the current National Transit Database metrics using Power BI.
Speaker: Gina Thomas, HDR
2024 Summit Archive
Our 2024 summit was in Charlotte, North Carolina. – Visit the 2024 Summit Archive for copies of the summit book and presentation materials.