Economic factors, including tariff uncertainty and global oil supply, collided with accelerating AI capabilities last year, creating a perfect storm of confusion that continues to cloud market outlooks.

Now bulk haulers are hoping for a little clarity entering 2027.

National Tank Truck Carriers staff will do their best to deliver at Tank Truck Week 2026 in Oklahoma City, where this year’s theme is built around turning challenges into competitive advantages by deep diving into the operational realities facing fleets today, including accelerating equipment costs, rapidly evolving technologies, and geopolitical tensions that are out of their control. The three-day event is designed to help carriers navigate an increasingly complex landscape through collaborative committee meetings, educational sessions, and supplier presentations—all capped by the Safety & Security Council’s Annual Awards Banquet.

Tank Truck Week 2026 is set for Sept. 27-30 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

“We are focused on real-world business applications and pulling in as many subject-matter experts as possible to provide valuable content across the board,” NTTC President and CEO Ryan Streblow said. “But the other topic is one none of us can get away from, and really, we haven’t been able to for some time, but it’s exploded as of late—and that’s artificial intelligence.

“So those two factors are driving forces behind this year’s content.”

Economic volatility and the digital revolution serve as the backdrop for a program designed to provide actionable solutions. Whether it’s preserving institutional insights through technical training, exploring the safety implications of emerging tech, or networking inside a jam-packed exhibit hall, the event is engineered to ensure carriers leave with a distinct market advantage.

Bridging the gap: From spec’ing to safety

A highly anticipated addition to the 2026 agenda is a “Tank Spec’ing 101” session, a first for Tank Truck Week. Streblow highlighted a growing concern among membership regarding the loss of legacy knowledge as industry veterans retire; and said the association is taking steps to address them now. “We have so many new people in this industry, and that legacy information, unless it’s verbally transferred from one person to the next, often is lost in translation,” Streblow said. An expert panel will cover fundamental equipment applications, from welds and suspensions to lighting and components, helping carriers spend capital more effectively.

The event also remains the premier destination for safety professionals. Streblow said the gathering facilitates a unique “poetry in motion” where safety experts from competing fleets come together to help everyone improve. This focus on excellence is personified by keynote speaker Hillary Knight, a U.S. women’s hockey Olympic gold medalist. “She’s a champion through and through,” Streblow enthused. “When we talk about decision making and work ethic, she’s got a lot to share.”

The safety awards banquet, set for 6 p.m. Sept. 30, will celebrate individual and team successes in safety, and include a presentation from guest speaker Marty Barr, president and CEO of The Phoenix Charity, which reigning Driver of the Year Bruce Jones selected as the recipient of this year’s NTTC donation in the grand champion’s honor.

A sold-out showcase of innovation

Nearly three-fourths of the space available inside the Oklahoma Convention Center’s 200,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall sold out within 24 hours of opening, Streblow said, an indication of “unprecedented” demand. More than 90 exhibitors had signed up before this issue was printed. “We’ve had power-unit OEMs that haven’t been with us for years coming back and saying, ‘We need to be part of this,’” Streblow said. “So it’s amazing to see the level of support across the board.”

Attendees also will receive critical updates on new initiatives like the Tank Truck Institute launch and the association’s partnership with Wreaths Across America. The TTI foundation, chaired by Luma Brighter Learning CEO Dr. Gina Anderson, is focused on education and workforce development, which Streblow says will have a long-term impact on the industry’s image.

Regulatory and economic outlooks

The 2026 program is rounded out by high-level regulatory and economic updates. Paul Roberti, administrator for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, will address attendees during a general session, providing a status report on the agency’s activity. Additionally, the U.S. Energy Information Administration will provide a forecast on the energy outlook, a strategic addition meant to help carriers prepare for global energy influences that impact both business and daily operations.

2026 Agenda schedule

Sunday, Sept. 27

4:15-5:15 p.m.: Young Executives and first-time attendee event

4:30-5:30 p.m.: Cargo Tank Risk Management Committee (CTRMC) meeting

5:30-7 p.m.: Political Action Committee (PAC) reception

Monday, Sept. 28

8:30-9:30 a.m.: Dry Bulk and Food Grade Committee meeting, featuring committee chairman Jerry Curl, G&D/Hoffman, and “Tank Wash 101 Roundtable Discussion” with Doug Vineyard, Ed Wickham, and Donny Hearn

9:45-10:45 a.m.: Chemical Committee meeting, featuring committee chairwoman Tanya Rogers, KAG, and “Crisis Communication for Tank Truck Incidents” with Kathryn Bertram and Alex Weintz

11 a.m.-noon: Workforce Development Committee meeting, featuring committee chairwoman Bailey Glendenning-Stark, Glendenning Brothers

1-2 p.m.: Energy Services Committee meeting, featuring committee chairman Patrick Usher, Usher Transport, and guest speaker Tim Hess, the EIA’s short-term energy outlook product manager

2:15-3:15 p.m.: Advocacy Committee meeting, featuring committee chairman Hans Schaupp, LCL Bulk

3:30-4:30 p.m.: General session: “Uptime by Design: Managing Maintenance, Controlling Costs, and Preparing for Tomorrow” with Doug Owen, Kyle Neumann, Chris Sipe, Steve Thayer, and Brian Pursley, and an FMCSA update from Steve Dowling, FMCSA’s chief safety officer

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Exhibit hall open, ACT 1 grand opening reception

Tuesday, Sept. 29

8:30-9:30 a.m.: Regional Safety and Security Council roundtables

9:45-11:30 a.m.: General session and keynote speaker—PHMSA update by Paul Roberti, PHMSA administrator; and keynote from Hilary Knight, a U.S. women’s hocky Olympic gold medalist

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

2-3 p.m.: Board of Directors meeting

3:15-4 p.m.: Educational sessions—“NTSB Report: Cargo Tank Combination Vehicle Rollover and Release in Teutopolis” with NTSB’s Shawn Currie; “Managing Risk in Tanker Truck Operations” with Avatar Management Services’ Mark Garner; and “Beyond Confined Space Entry Compliance: A Story of Loss, Learning and Readiness” with Sentry Road’s Jim Tormey, TerraVest Industries’ Mitch DeBelser, and Sabrina Schick

4-4:45 p.m.: Educational sessions—“The 85% Problem: Preventing Tire Failures Before They Cost You a Load” with Viaduct’s Arnaud Bayce and Dunlop Tires’ Jacob Koo; “The Future Isn’t Waiting: The AI playbook for the truck industry” with Velocti’s Beth Young, Modern Transportation’s Dan Benacquista, Solera’s Sean Ritchie, and PrePass Safety Alliance’s Brandon Bruton; “Reliability Through Prevention: Managing Vent and Valve Wear Components to Minimize Downtime” with Betts Industries’ David Adams and the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association’s John Freiler; and “Tank Specing 101: Build the Best Trailer for Your Operation” with The Jack Olsta Company’s Taylor Craigen, Wabash’s Adam Quinn, Peterson Manufacturing’s Al Anderson, and United Petroleum Transports’ Tim Gallagher

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

Wednesday, Sept. 30

9:45-10:30 a.m.: Educational sessions—“From Algorithm to Accident: Are We Ready? (An AI Interactive Tabletop Exercise)” with CyberGeist Security’s Robert Renzulli and CargoCheck’s Kathy Green; “Insurance Costs in Trucking: Trends, Benchmarks, and Risk Management Strategies” with ATRI’s Alex Leslie; and “Understanding Pumps and Spinners” with MosherFlo Pumps’ April Mosher and Danny English, and CloudSellers’ Dominic DeMaria

10:45-11:30 a.m.: Educational sessions—“Inside the Winner’s Circle: Pulling Back the Curtain on the Industry’s Premier Safety Contest” with Bulk Transporter’s Jason McDaniel, CVSA’s Bill Reese, Matt Wise’s Great West, and Heniff’s Leon Lupina; and “Beyond Compliance: The New Era of Safety Management and Risk Reduction” with Fusable’s Chad Krueger, Scopelitis Transportation Consulting’s Steve Keppler, and Action Resources’ Roger Howard

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Tank Maintenance and Cleaning Council meeting, featuring council chairman Doug Vineyard, Highway Transport

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Safety and Security Council meeting, featuring council chairman Dan Wright, KAG, and a “TSA Security Briefing” by Seth Gomez, TSA transportation security inspector

6-8:30 p.m.: Annual Safety and Security Council banquet (Reception 6-6:30 p.m., Dinner and awards 6:30-8:30 p.m.), featuring guest speaker Marty Barr, Phoenix Charity president and CEO