2018 MCE

ATA President Chris Spear welcomes attendees to the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Past ATA chairmen assemble at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Outgoing ATA Chairman Dave Manning told attendees of the association's strength at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Incoming ATA Chairman Barry Pottle presents outgoing Chairman Dave Manning with a portrait at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Barry Pottle reflects on his lengthy journey from teenage truck driver to ATA chairman at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Enthusiastic attendees enjoy the performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A Lynyrd Skynyrd band member reaches out to an appreciative attendee at the closing banquet and reception on Oct. 30, 2018, for the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA leaders (left to right) Dave Manning, Barry Pottle and Chris Spear meet with the media on the closing day of the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Moderator Dustin Koehl (center) is flanked by industry legends (left to right) Tommy Hodges, Don Bowman, Donna Weinrich-Lucht and Robert Sculley on Oct. 30, 2018 during a special session of the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Sandra Conkin speaks to MCE attendees after receiving the S. Earl Dove Highways Award on behalf of her late husband, John Conkin, a former ATA chairman and managing director at BMO Transportation Finance who died June 3 after a battle with cancer at the age of 62. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Left to right, Floyd Dixon, Chris Nordloh, Collin Mooney, Jim Pasco and Ben Bawden discuss the relationship between law enforcement and trucking Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Members of America's Road Team post with a Mack Anthem truck on Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of a Kenworth truck on the exhibit hall floor Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the StayMetrics booth on the exhibit hall floor Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the One View booth on the exhibit hall floor on Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Nathan Stahlman (left) and Roy Broomfield stand guard at the New-Hire Training booth on Oct. 30, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of Mack's Anthem truck on the exhibit hall floor Oct. 30, 2018, at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the I.D. Systems booth on the exhibit floor of the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27-30, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the exhibit floor on Oct. 30, 2018, the final day of the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear delivers his state of the industry address Oct. 29, 2018, at the 2018 American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam addresses attendees on Oct. 29, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATRI President Rebecca Brewster releases the annual report showing that the driver shortage remains the trucking industry's top concern on Oct. 29, 2018, during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton (center) receives a check from ATA President Chris Spear (left) and Chairman Dave Manning after being selected as the 17th recipient of the American Trucking Associations’ President’s Trucking Association Executives Council Leadership Award at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Mike Russell Trucking Image Awards were presented Oct. 29, 2018, to representatives of the Tennessee Trucking Association Foundation, Werner Enterprises Inc., Pilot Flying J and FedEx driver Don Logan. The announcement took place at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics).

An emotional Don Logan, a FedEx Freight driver who also serves as an America’s Road Team captain, was recognized with a Mike Russell Trucking Image Award Oct. 29, 2018, for helping establish FedEx’s Road Team. The presentation came at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Daimler's Roger Nielsen conducts a media roundtable at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (Joseph Terry/Transport Topics)

Who needs big screens? VTNA President Peter Voorhoeve resorts to a smartphone to illustrate a point during a press conference at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Mack Highway Product Manager Stu Russoli puts a little energy into his press conference presentation during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Decisiv CEO Dick Hyatt enjoys a casual conversation at the company's press conference during the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A silhouetted attendee captures ATA President Chris Spear during his state of the industry address Oct. 29, 2018, at the 2018 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Carrie Underwood performs at Freightliner's annual customer appreciation event Oct. 29, 2018, at Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)

Florida Georgia Line performs at Freightliner's annual customer appreciation event, held Oct. 29, 2018, at Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)

Trucking industry leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the exhibit hall floor on Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Former ATA Chairman Kevin Burch and other attendees enter the exhibit hall floor moments after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA Chairman Dave Manning welcomes attendees to an awards lunch on Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Featured speaker Vince Papale, whose unlikely rise from football fan to pro football player inspired the movie Invincible, addresses attendees Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Winners of the industry's top honors were recognized during ATA's Leadership and Awards Luncheon on Oct. 28, including, left to right: TMC SuperTech Grand Champion Phillip Pinter, Bendix Grand Champion of the 2018 National Truck Driving Championships Scott Woodrome, and ATA National Truck Driver of the Year David Boyer. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Graduates of the Lead ATA program are recognized Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Members of the new Lead ATA class are recognized Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

"The Cost of Doing Nothing" panelists Tonn Ostergard of Crete (left), Rebecca Brewster of ATRI (middle) and Bob Costello of ATA explain the urgent need for action on infrastructure Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear (right) is interviewed by Transport Topics' Dan Ronan during a live broadcast on SiriusXM from the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

NFL great Joe Theismann signs an autograph at the EpicVue booth at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Jonathan Blackham, director of policy and public affairs for the Canadian Trucking Alliance, discusses marijuana issues Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA's Jim Mullen discusses hours-of-service rules Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the ATA booth on the exhibit hall floor Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the Orbcomm booth on the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the Noregon booth on the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the Geotab booth on the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the Omnitracs booth on the exhibit hall floor Oct. 28, 2018, at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the Wabco booth on the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A view of the ATRI booth on the exhibit hall floor at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition, being held at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 28, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear introduces FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez addresses attendees at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A packed room listens as FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez addresses attendees at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Among those listening to FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez speak to attendees at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition are former ATA Chairman Kevin Burch (second from left) and ATA Vice Chairman Sherri Garner Brumbaugh (second from right). (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez addresses attendees at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear asks FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez to reflect on infrastructure during Martinez's address at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez addresses attendees at the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Oct. 27, 2018. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A scene from setup activities on Oct. 27, 2018, as Austin Convention Center is readied to host the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Beautiful skies and warm temperatures greeted attendees in Austin, Texas, as they arrived on Oct. 27, 2018, for the 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)