ATA’s New Leadership to Share Vision for Federation at Annual Conference
The upcoming annual Management Conference & Exhibition, hosted by American Trucking Associations, is expected to draw a record number of attendees, including industry leaders and some of the most influential federal regulators.
The event runs Oct 1 to Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.
“We are excited to be coming together in Las Vegas at this critical time for our industry and our country. With our new leadership team now on board, this is a tremendous opportunity for us to share our vision for the association and for trucking,” ATA President Chris Spear said.
Spear, who took the helm in July, said the projected record attendance “is a sign of our members’ commitment to be industry leaders and to the vision of ATA that we have been outlining the past few months.”
At general sessions, policy committee meetings and educational sessions, “members will engage on a number of issues including safety, emerging automated vehicle technology, trade and many others,” Spear added.
He will give his first “state of the industry” address Oct. 3.
At a general session later that day, attendees will hear from Scott Darling, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as receive a political update from Peter Hart of Hart Research Associates and Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies.
On Oct. 2, an economic outlook discussion will be led by Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist, and Diane Swonk of DS Economics. On the final day, Transport Topics will convene a panel discussion about developments in emerging autonomous and platooning vehicle technologies.
The conference culminates with Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc., becoming chairman of the federation. He will succeed Pat Thomas of UPS Inc.
More than 150 companies will display products, including about 45 first-timers.
Rocker John Fogerty, an original member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, will perform at the annual banquet.
