Trucking to Set 2014 Goals at ATA’s Annual Meeting

This story appears in the Oct. 21 print edition of Transport Topics.

Leaders of the trucking industry are gathering this week in Orlando, Fla., at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition to review a busy past 12 months and to plan for the road ahead.

At the same time, the Oct. 19-22 conference agenda has lost some scheduled government speakers.

“While some of our schedule is up in the air because of the now-ended government shutdown, there’s a lot of energy and excitement for this year’s MC&E,” said Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations. “Fleets and suppliers are feeling better about where we are headed as an industry than they have during some recent meetings, which is a very good thing.”

The biggest agenda change involves U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Foxx, who took his post during the summer, was planning to speak on Oct. 21 but notified ATA late last week he no longer would be able to attend because of scheduling conflicts created by the extended government shutdown.

At the conclusion of the conference, Philip Byrd Sr., president of Bulldog Hiway Express in Charleston, S.C., is slated to become the 69th chairman of ATA. He will succeed Michael Card, who is president of Combined Transport Inc., based in Central Point, Ore.

In his annual address at the opening session Oct. 21, Graves is expected to discuss the constant changes facing the industry.

Trucking “could be looking at significant changes in how our vehicles operate, how we bring in drivers, how we power our vehicles, how we pay for our roads and how we manage and work with our customers,” Graves said.

He also will discuss several of the industry’s victories during the past year, including the conclusion of legal action against the Port of Los Angeles that upheld the use of independent drayage contractors.

And while the controversial hours-of-service rules did take effect, the final rule did maintain an 11-hour driving day and exempted shorthaul drivers from the 30-minute rest-break provision.

The MC&E agenda this year includes a focus on these and other key issues.

On Oct. 20, the annual “All Eyes on the Economy” luncheon will feature ATA Senior Economist Bob Costello, as well as Mark Vitner, a managing director at Wells Fargo, and Kenny Vieth, president of ACT Research Co. Once again, Stuart Varney of Fox News Channel will oversee the discussion.

Former two-term Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is the highlight speaker at ATA’s advocacy and government affairs luncheon Oct. 21. ATA said he will share his analysis of where America stands now and what it must do to tackle the challenges the nation faces.

The final day of the conference begins with a panel focused on truck drivers, which will be moderated by Dave Osiecki, ATA’s senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs.

Panelists include ATA’s Costello; Jeff Flackler, vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Derek Leathers, president and chief operating officer of Werner Enterprises; and Steve Gordon, COO of Gordon Trucking Inc. They will discuss the latest information on upcoming regulatory issues that could affect the driver pool and effective management strategies.

During the general membership meeting later on Oct. 22, Robert Darbelnet, president of AAA, will discuss the motorist group’s positions on transportation funding and other critical issues.

“We need Congress to take the lead, work toward a long term funding solution and ensure the American public understands the importance of investing in our transportation system before we fall further behind.” Darbelnet said in a statement earlier this year after the release of an American Society of Civil Engineers’ report on the poor condition of U.S. roads and bridges.

At the same time, Graves indicated that AAA does not always support the same positions as ATA on highway funding.

Meanwhile, more than 170 companies will showcase their latest products and services in the exhibit hall, including about 35 that will be there for the first time. The exhibition will feature items to comply with government regulations, boost fuel efficiency and improve profits.

In addition to ATA policy committee meetings, more than a dozen educational sessions offer attendees a chance to discuss issues, including the Compliance, Safety, Accountability programs and common financial and legal hurdles.

At the conclusion of the conference Oct. 22, comedian Jeff Foxworthy will headline the annual banquet. Foxworthy, who also performed at the 2005 MC&E in Boston, has sold more than 13 million albums and has 26 bestselling books over two decades. He is expected to perform for about one hour.

Also during MC&E, Greg Picard, executive chef of the host hotel, the Orlando World Center, and executive pastry chef Ramon Ramos will provide an instructional session on creating large cakes at the ATA spouse business meeting on Oct. 22.