TANK TRUCK industry issues and perspectives from carriers, federal officials, suppliers, economists, carriers, and the chairman of the American Trucking Associations will fill the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) 59th annual conference May 7-9 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We expect another outstanding meeting with the leading carriers and suppliers in the tank truck industry,” said Greg Price, Oklahoma Tank Lines and current NTTC chairman. “The Exhibit Hall is sold out and we have a great pre-conference registration. One of our goals is to continue to grow our association and the annual conference.”
The program lineup includes ATA Chairman Patrick Quinn of US Xpress Enterprises Inc, who will discuss major issues facing the trucking industry.
The keynote speaker for the annual meeting this year will be Frank Luntz, a political pollster, author, consultant, and lecturer. He has appeared on numerous television political talk shows and offered comments during election night coverages. When he is not appearing on television or consulting, Luntz can usually be found in front of a classroom. From 1989 until 1996, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He has also taught at Harvard and George Washington University.
His writings include op-ed pieces for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times, and The Washington Post. Luntz is the author of Words that Work: It's Not What You Say It's What People Hear, due out in early 2007. The book delves into the art and science of language creation and examines how the simple choice of words can and does change the course of history.
Program topics
From the shipper perspective, Summer Camp of Chevron Oronite Company, will discuss issues that her company is focusing on of special interest to tank truck carriers, and Joel Adams of Holcim will discuss the Anatomy of an RFP (request for proposal) from the perspective of one of the nation's largest dry bulk shippers of cement and other products.
Keeping the focus on the shipper/carrier relationship, George Grossardt of Schneider National Bulk Carriers and Bill Wolfe and Bill Henry of Elemica will update carriers on a project to develop a common language for order placement in the chemical industry.
Taking a look at the regulation side of the industry, Bill Quade of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will update attendees on actions at FMCSA that will impact tank truck and hazardous materials carriers.
With today's technological approaches a necessity, David Mook of TMW Systems will focus on information technology trends in the trucking industry, including future applications his company is working on.
A regular at the convention, Martin Labbe of Martin Labbe Associates, will present a tank truck industry market forecast.
An update on Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) activities of interest to tank truck carriers will be presented by Gary Spoelstra of West-Mark, chairman of the TTMA Engineering Committee.
The convention begins Monday with registration and the equipment show opening at 3 pm through 6 pm.
Tuesday's events include the opening breakfast at 8 am with the keynote speaker followed by exhibits at 9:30 am and general session at 11 am. Following lunch at 12:30 pm, exhibits close at 1:30 pm. The Chairman's Reception gets underway at 5:30 pm.
Wednesday activities are highlighted by the Safety Awards Breakfast that begins at 8 am. Exhibits are available from 9:30 am until 11:30 am. The general session begins at 11 am. In the afternoon, the membership and board of directors' meeting is set for 1:30 pm. At 6 pm, the conference concludes with the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry Reception and Dinner.