ALABAMA TRUCKING

CONVENTION: A RESOUNDING SUCCESS FILLED WITH GROWTH AND FELLOWSHIP

McGrady

The 84th Annual Alabama Trucking Association’s Annual Convention took place on April 13-15 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort in Destin, Fla., bringing together members of the Alabama Trucking family and friends for three days of growth, fellowship, and progress.

This year’s convention proved to be yet another remarkable gathering, showcasing the dedication and commitment of our community toward improving Alabama’s trucking industry.

The convention’s success was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, with special recognition given to Presidential Sponsor Cummins Sales & Service and Elite Sponsors ATA Comp Fund, Love’s Travel Stops, MHC Carrier Transicold, and McLeod Software. Their contributions allowed us to create an unforgettable event, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of them.

With a total of 569 attendees, this year’s convention brought together industry professionals and experts from various backgrounds. The talented pool of guest presenters shared invaluable expertise, making the business sessions a hub of learning and discussion. Topics such as workforce development and professional growth took center stage, with the team from creative marketing firm Markstein; industry educator Alex Blevins from Jefferson State Community College; business communication coach Deborah Boswell; and legal expert Doug Marcello delivering insightful presentations on critical subjects that matter most to trucking executives.

In addition to the informative sessions, this year’s meeting provided ample opportunity for connection, celebration and progress. The Alabama Trucking Association and its sister organization ATA Workers’ Comp Fund conducted business meetings, allowing both organizations to share recent accomplishments and challenges. Notably, we heard from Col. Jon Archer and Capt. Tim Pullin of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Clinton Seymour, Alabama Division Administrator for the Federal

Motor Carrier Safety Administration, who discussed significant changes and challenges for fleet safety management, safety, and professionalism while emphasizing the importance of ongoing collaboration with the industry for advancement and improvement.

Among the highlights, was a presentation from American Trucking Associations’ Chairman Dan Van Alstine, COO of Ruan Transportation, a privately held transportation company providing dedicated fleet management, logistics management and warehousing from Des Moines, Iowa. Van Alstine shared valuable insights into the trucking industry’s issues and the strategies being employed to address them at the national level.

Outside the business sessions, the convention fostered a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship. Receptions held on Thursday and Friday provided a semi-formal setting for networking, while the beach, poolside, and golf course offered more relaxed environments for connecting with peers. Friday evening’s social event featured a performance by ATA Board Member Ben Leach’s band, the Kensingtons, adding a delightful touch to the festivities.

The weekend reached its pinnacle with the Chairman’s Dinner, honoring Chris Cooper, CEO of Boyd Bros. Transportation. During this special occasion, we proudly announced Terry Kilpatrick as this year’s recipient of the H. Chester Webb Award and recognized Emanuel Windham as the Alabama Driver of the Year. We extended our gratitude to Cummins, the Convention Presidential Sponsor, and Vertical Alliance Group, the Golf Classic Presidential Sponsor, for their invaluable support.

To conclude the weekend on a high note, convention-goers were treated to an energetic performance by Mustache the Band, who entertained the crowd with the biggest hits of 90s Country music.

The exceptional success of the 84th Alabama Trucking Convention was made possible by the unwavering commitment of our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the attendees, presenters, and sponsors for their invaluable contributions. The convention raised an impressive record-breaking amount of $508,000, reflecting the generosity and dedication of our community. Thank you all for your support and participation in making this year’s event a truly memorable occasion.

Next year’s convention takes place at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala., on May 2-5, 2024. We eagerly anticipate another outstanding event and the opportunity to gather once again to advance and celebrate the trucking industry in Alabama.