The CVOC brought together thought leaders from all segments of the trucking industry to enjoy expert presentations, panel discussions and numerous networking opportunities during two half-days immediately prior to the opening of the Great American Trucking Show. Attendees included fleet executives, truck OEMs, part and component suppliers, truck dealers, distributors, and maintenance and repair specialists.

“Response from attendees and sponsors to the CVOC was overwhelmingly positive,” says Alan Sims, vice president/executive director, Randall-Reilly Events Group. “This year’s conference lays the foundation for us to achieve our goal: To make Dallas the destination where professionals from all segments of the trucking industry gather each fall to see the latest equipment, products and services, learn about industry trends and concerns, and network with their peers, suppliers and customers.”

“For our first ever Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference, we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” states Tim Kraus, president and COO of HDMA. “The leaders of our industry were there as attendees and speakers; the conference content scored very high on our attendee evaluation sheets. Bringing together a large cross-section of our industry for a meaningful outlook conference on the commercial vehicle industry was our goal. Based on the more than 350 registrations and the high praise from a great mix of executives in attendance, we feel we are off to a great start for future CVOC events in Dallas, with GATS.” 

            CVOC attendees took home real-world insights into the state of the recovery and what the industry must do to survive and thrive in the fourth quarter and beyond. The impressive speaker line-up included keynote addresses by Dan Sobic, executive vice president, PACCAR, and Tommy Hodges, chairman, the American Trucking Associations. Eric Starks, president, FTR Associates, presented an economic outlook for trucking. Donald Broughton, managing director, Avondale Partners, discussed how capital markets are reacting to trucking trends. Other presenters included:

• Scott Kress, Volvo Trucks North America
• Rusty Rush, Rush Enterprises
• Joe Plomin, ArvinMeritor CVS
• Max Fuller, U.S. Xpress
• Leo Suggs, Greatwide Logistics Services
• Tom Kretsinger, American Central Transport
• Jim O’Neal, O & S Trucking

The 2011 CVOC will be held at the Dallas Convention Center Aug. 24-25, immediately prior to the opening of the Great American Trucking Show. The event is sponsored by Castrol Heavy Duty, Commercial Carrier Journal, Kenworth Truck Company, Peterbilt Motors Company, PACCAR Engines, PACCAR Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Utility Trailer Manufacturing and Volvo Trucks North America.

For information on participating in the 2011 CVOC, contact HDMA at www.hdma.org or the Randall-Reilly Events Group at info@truckshow.com.

About the Great American Trucking Show

The Great American Trucking Show is an all-encompassing convention of trucking professionals, featuring nearly 450 exhibitors representing truck, trailer, engine, component and parts manufacturers, as well as services catering to the heavy- and medium-duty trucking industry. Educational opportunities include the TruckSmart Summit and sessions produced by the Texas Motor Transportation Association. More than 45,000 trucking professionals attend GATS, including fleet executives, owner-operators, safety and operation managers and suppliers.

About the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association provides industry leadership for the NAFTA commercial vehicle component suppliers through a range of services to members, including national and international industry news; market research reports; executive forums, councils, premier conferences and industry events; advocacy and collaboration in government affairs and within the commercial vehicle industry.

An entertainment-packed weekend awaits

attendees at inaugural Charlotte Diesel Super Show

Outdoor construction and trucking extravaganza

will feature equipment displays, music.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 2010) – Trucking and construction industry personnel and enthusiasts will find plenty to see and do October 8-9, 2010, during the inaugural Charlotte Diesel Super Show at the Charlotte Motor Speedway z-Max Dragway in Concord, N.C.

Produced by Randall-Reilly Business Media and Information, which also produces the Great American Trucking Show and Great West Truck Show, the Charlotte Diesel Super Show will be a one-of-a-kind outdoor extravaganza. Activities include industry related displays, Truck Drag races and the Custom Rigs Pride & Polish truck beauty contest where contestants will compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights. Attendees can also register to win a free 150 mph ride around the Charlotte Motor Speedway track in a real NASCAR racecar. And on Saturday night, country music star John Rich, formerly of Big & Rich, will perform a free concert.

“Attendees at the Charlotte Diesel Super Show will be able to see the latest truck and construction equipment, watch live demonstrations, be able to participate in ride and drives and enjoy all sorts of activities,” says Alan K. Sims, vice president/executive director, Randall-Reilly Events. “There will truly be something for everyone.”

The Charlotte Diesel Super Show offers free truck and vehicle parking and there’s RV parking and campsites available on-site. Tickets can be purchased at the event, or group sales are available at a discount for 10 or more tickets by calling 888-349-4287. Adult admission is $20 for a two-day pass; $15 for a one-day pass. Tickets for children ages 7 to 16 are $10 for two days or $7 for one day. Children 6 and under can attend for free. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase on the show grounds.

For more information, go to http://www.dieselsupershow.com/.

Moderated by Jack Roberts, executive editor of CCJ, Overdrive and Truckers News magazines, the panel will feature:

• Jeff Jones, vice president, sales and marketing, Cummins, Inc.
• Ben Smith, manager, product strategy, Freightliner Trucks
• Craig Bennett, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Utility Trailer

Each panelist will present an overview of his perspective on how equipment will evolve over the next decade, followed by moderated discussion, including questions from the audience.

“One of our goals is to continue to offer the highest-quality content possible to GATS attendees,” says Alan K. Sims, vice president and executive director of the Randall-Reilly Events Group. “The SuperSession is one of more than 18 educational sessions held during GATS Truck Smart Summit.”

The second annual SuperSession kicks off the Great American Trucking Show, which opens at noon on Thursday. The session is sponsored by Shell. Those interested in attending the SuperSession and the Great American Trucking Show may register online at www.gatsonline.com. All registered GATS attendees may attend the SuperSession at no charge.

About Randall-Reilly

Founded in 1934, Randall-Reilly (www.rrpub.com) is the premier U.S. media and information company focused on the trucking and construction markets. The company’s trucking division serves the fleet, owner-operator, recruitment, truck stop, pre-owned truck and trailer, dealer and heavy-duty aftermarket segments. Randall-Reilly’s construction division covers the highway and heavy construction, landscaping and used equipment markets.

Randall-Reilly’s Equipment Data Associates business is an industry-leading collector and aggregator of equipment purchase and financing data, which it offers to its customers in industrial equipment end markets for sales lead generation and market intelligence. Randall-Reilly has offices in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Chicago, Charlotte, N.C., and New Berlin, Wis.

Eric Harley, and Gary McNamara, hosts of The Midnight Trucking Radio Network, will be on the red carpet to introduce attendees to entertainers including Rising Stars of Nashville, like Keith Moody, Chelsea Field, Melissa Lawson, David Bradley and Declan McGarry.  Daily, our artists will be performing on the MTRN stage in the lobby, signing autographs, taking photos, and talking with drivers as they enter the show! See www.midnighttrucking.com for specific schedule. 

In keeping with the “Rising Star” theme, truckers will be invited to stop by the booth and register for the opportunity to win $1,000 CASH as well as daily prizes…making you a star too! 

For over 40 years now, the Midnight Trucking Radio Network (MTRN) has been an integral part of the fabric of the nation’s trucking industry.  Listeners have counted on MTRN for the latest news, weather, information and entertainment to keep them in the know and provide them with programming they need.

Owned and operated by Citadel Broadcasting., The Midnight Trucking Radio Network broadcasts their 5 hour programs LIVE nightly between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. CST Monday – Sunday.  This targeted trucking broadcast provides a “full service” program of driver conversation, industry news and talk as well as interactive promotional contesting.  Now available by podcast download, MTRN can be heard live or “on demand”.

Sponsors for this year’s GATS event include: Western Star…Serious trucks for serious truckers, GiTi Tire, Motel 6, Mobil Delvac….For Long Engine Life, Howes Lubricator, Progressive Insurance and Mercer Transportation.

For more information visit www.midnighttrucking.com.

Truckers News‘ Fit for the Road program and John Christner Trucking, along with the Healthy Trucking Association of America, will be sponsoring the Too Hot to Trot 5k walk/run on Friday, Aug. 27. Jasmine Jordan, who recently completed a cross-country run to bring awareness to trucker health issues and the St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund, will be the special guest at the event, along with Truckers News blogger and columnist trucker Jeff Clark. Transportation will be provided from the convention center to Katy Trail, where the 5k will begin at 7 a.m. Preregistered participants will receive a free T-shirt. Online preregistration will be open until Aug. 20. Interested show attendees can also register at the Fit for the Road booth, #23175 on Thursday, Aug. 26, but only preregistered participants are guaranteed a free T-shirt. Click here to register.

Fit for the Road and HTAA will again pair up on Saturday, Aug. 28, for the 61+ Health Awareness Walk, a 1.5 mile walk held in the Dallas Convention Center. The walk will be led by Trucker Trainer Bob Perry and members of the Trucking Solutions Group and Driver Health Council of the HTAA. Online preregistration can be found here, and interested show attendees can also register at the HTAA booth, #23167.

Both the Too Hot to Trot 5k and the Health Walk are free events. Donations will be accepted at the 5k to benefit the St. Christopher Fund.

TUSCALOOSA, AL (June 2010) – How fleets spec, buy, use and service equipment will change dramatically in the coming decades, driven by increasing environmental and safety regulations, expanded use of telematics and more robust communication needs. During “Trucking 2020: The changing roles of OEMs, suppliers, dealers and fleets,” four key executives will explore their shifting relationships and offer insights into what the future may hold.

            Moderated by Stu MacKay, president, MacKay and Company, the panel will feature:

• Scott Kress, vice president, sales, Volvo Trucks North America
• Joe Plomin, vice president, trucks, ArvinMeritor CVS
• Rusty Rush, president and CEO, Rush Enterprises
• Jim O’Neal, president, O & S Trucking

Scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m., the panel will be a highlight of the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference, a new event produced by Randall-Reilly and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association. Held at the Dallas Convention Center Aug. 25-26, the day prior to, and the opening day of, the Great American Trucking Show, CVOC will provide critical information for all segments of the commercial fleet business, including fleet executives, truck OEMs, part and component suppliers, truck dealers, distributors, maintenance and repair specialists and owner-operators.

Other sessions will include:

• Outlook for freight, truck buying and parts and service activity
• The changing landscape of the capital markets
• How fleets are dealing with current and future cost and productivity challenges
• The impact of federal environmental and safety policies on trucking

Registration begins at 11 a.m., Wednesday, followed by a networking lunch. A networking reception will be held immediately following the program on Wednesday. The conference ends at noon on Thursday when the Great American Trucking Show opens. The event is sponsored by Castrol, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Utility Trailer.

For pricing and registration details visit www.hdma.org or call 919-406-8814 or e-mail info@hdma.org.

About the Great American Trucking Show

The Great American Trucking Show is an all-encompassing convention of trucking professionals, featuring nearly 400 exhibitors representing truck, trailer, engine, component and parts manufacturers, as well as services catering to the heavy- and medium-duty trucking industry. Educational opportunities include the TruckSmart Summit and sessions produced by the Texas Motor Transportation Association. More than 45,000 trucking professionals attend GATS, including fleet executives, owner-operators, safety and operation managers and suppliers.

About the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association provides industry leadership for the NAFTA commercial vehicle component suppliers through a range of services to members, including national and international industry news; market research reports; executive forums, councils, premier conferences and industry events; advocacy and collaboration in government affairs and within the commercial vehicle industry.