FTA’s 2022 Annual Conference

The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village was sold out—with every room booked by members of FTA. The 2022 Annual Conference had record attendance, with top leaders in the industry taking to the lectern to share their knowledge.

The event began with our Golf Tournament, where teams gathered together at Palmetto Bay to network and outshine one another on the links. At the same time, early-birds gathered at Marina Village to fish. As members began to arrive in Cape Coral, they were able to attend committee meetings, a new program to engage and recruit members into their areas of expertise.

Dr. Bill Kanasky offered a special seminar on lawsuit abuse, sharing his knowledge on deposition and trial preparation, as the industry mobilizes to combat settlement mills and nuclear verdicts.

After FTA’s Board of Directors convened, first-time attendees got to know each other at their reception, hosted by Wabash of Florida and Netradyne, before moving on to the Chairman’s party on the lawn, overlooking the marina, hosted by Shelton Trucking and TenStreet. Frozen drinks, flip-flops and a live musician got members in the spirit of Annual Conference, with a laid-back atmosphere.

Friday started early with a full program. First up was American Trucking Associations’ President and CEO Chris Spear, who shared the industry’s recent successes, and reiterated the important role FTA has in the Federation. State agency partners FDOT Jared Perdue and FHP Troy Thompson and Jeff Dixon provided briefings on what the future holds for Florida.

As FTA members prepare for the 2023 legislative session, a panel imparted the importance of a multi-prong approach to moving positive growth in trucking by combining Politics + Public Relations. Moderated by Holly Brooks, ATA’s Bill Sullivan and Sue Hensley joined The Southern Group’s Chris Dudley on what FTA members can do to help.

Lunch was served and the crowd was thoroughly entertained by CEO of Stuckey’s, Stephanie Stuckey. She told the story of her multigenerational family business and how she bought the business back and has successfully rebranded and grown their famous pecan logs.

After Tra Williams presented FleetForce Truck Driving School’s scholarship, Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who brought his father-in-law (recently retired from driving for Publix Super Markets) provided Florida Department of Education’s plans to continue to grow the state’s Workforce and the Talent Pipeline.

Wiley Deck from Plus updated membership on autonomous trucking and the regulatory landscape, before local state representative Bob Rommel spoke to the crowd.

Despite the long day, members, families and the Westin staff crowded into the ballroom for a standing-room only keynote by Governor Ron DeSantis, who joined FTA for the third conference in a row.

Members gathered for a casino night and enjoyed it so much staff started folding up tables before the crowd left for the evening. 2022 Annual Conference was bursting at the seams throughout the event—calling for extending the event to ensure committees can meet, leaders can present and members can network. Next year, we’re back to The Breakers in Palm Beach. We’ve got a lot of fun already planned, including adding an extra day and shifting the golf tournament to Saturday morning. But we don’t think you’ll mind—it is The Breakers, after all! Stay tuned for the hotel link—we anticipate selling out early and offering an overflow hotel. The word is out on our Annual Conference. People know this is the place to be in July. FTN