2020 Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase

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Name: 2020 Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase
Date: August 17, 2020 - August 18, 2020
Registration: Register Now
Event Description:
Join the Arkansas Trucking Association in Rogers to be a part of the conversation at our Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase.  

 
 
Trucking has seen its share of peaks and valleys. Moving our state and nation forward requires a constant eye on the horizon to prepare for the road ahead. At the 2020 Arkansas Trucking Association Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase, we will be discussing what's next for safety, regulations, politics, technology, and the economy. Join us in Rogers as we prepare for peak performance.  

On August 17 - 18, we'll be hosting industry experts to offer insight and analysis; the opportunity to network with some of trucking's premier executives as well as the chance to promote your business to this elite group at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center.

We have a great lineup of incredible speakers, timely issues, opportunities for awards and special recognition, and space to adapt our gathering to the most updated safety guidance. Learn more about our presenters, precautions, and how we are preserving the fun below.

 
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Monday, August 17
9:00 am - Registration & Vendor Showcase
9:00 am - 40 Under 40 Council Meeting
10:00 am - Lattes with Law Enforcement
10:30 am - Board of Directors Meeting
12:00 pm - Awards Luncheon
1:30 pm - General Session
3:00 pm - Executive Forum 1 - Trucking Toward a New Reality
4:00 pm - Executive Forum 2 - Global Trade, Economic Trends, COVID-19 and What's Ahead
5:00 pm - Happy Hour & Be Pro Be Proud Outdoor Exhibit
6:00 pm - Gold Sponsor Reception
 		 Tuesday, August 18
7:30 am - Silver Summit Breakfast
(hosted by Silver Sponsors)
8:00 am - Vendor Showcase Open
8:00 am - Self Insurers' Fund Meeting
9:00 am - Executive Forum 3 - Truckload Stocks: Preparing for the Summit Push as the Cycle Inflects
11:00 am - Special Report: Vote for Roads. Vote for Issue 1.
12:00 pm - Luncheon
1:30 pm - Executive Forum 4 - Public Health in Arkansas
3:00 pm - Executive Forum 5 - What's Next for Tort Reform?
4:00 pm - Featured Speaker - Sarah Huckabee Sanders
5:00 pm - Chairman's Celebration
 
 
GOLD SPONSORS
   


 

 



 


 




 



 


 

 



 


 

     


 

       

   

 
SILVER SPONSORS
 
                                   

                     
               

                  
         



 

 



 



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VENDORS
  
Corporate Medical Services Purple Wave Auction
InfoStream Quality Petroleum Inc.
Intellistop Corp. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
Netradyne SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
Omnitracs Taylor & Martin, Inc.
ORBCOMM TLG Peterbilt
Ozarko Tire Center TravelCenters of America
PrePass University of Arkansas  
   
SPEAKERS & FORUMS
      
FORUM 1 - Trucking Toward a New Reality
Rebecca Brewster
President & COO
American Transportation Research Institute

In this forum, ATRI's Rebecca Brewster will be sharing the industry's latest research including what we know about the effect of nuclear verdicts on trucking.

Rebecca Brewster is president and chief operating officer of the American Transportation Research Institute. ATRI is the trucking industry?s not-for-profit research organization, whose mission is research to improve the trucking industry?s safety and productivity.
Brewster is the recipient of several awards including Fleet Owner magazine?s 2016 Dozen Outstanding Women in Trucking, the 2013 Influential Woman in Trucking award from the Women in Trucking Association, and the 2010 J.R. Bob Halladay award given by the 50 state trucking associations.

Brewster has been with ATRI for over 27 years. Prior to that, she was the public and governmental affairs director for the Cary, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and a fleet analyst with Moen, Inc. Brewster has a B.A. in English from Wofford College and she is a Fellow of the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership.
 
Don't miss this important industry issues forum Monday, August 17 at 3 pm
FORUM 2 - Global Trade, Economics Trends, COVID-19 and What's Ahead
John Manzella
Founder
ManzellaReport.com

COVID-19 and economic trends are impacting U.S. and world growth, while complexities with China, Mexico, Canada, and Europe are creating new risks. Combined with greater levels of volatility, new destructive technologies, the energy revolution, and critical issues involving skills, automation and immigration, these issues are shaping our future. What does this mean to your business? This invaluable program reveals global dangers, analyzes sectors, examines trading relationships, and provides insight on China?s practices to help businesses understand what?s ahead, reduce risk, and make better informed decisions.

John Manzella is a world-recognized speaker, author of several books, and a nationally syndicated columnist on global business, trade policy, labor, and the latest economic trends. His views have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Bloomberg, NPR, and other publications in China, Mexico, and across the globe. His latest book is Global America: Understanding Global and Economic Trends and How To Ensure Competitiveness.

Manzella is founder of both the ManzellaReport.com, a premier source for global business and economic analysis, and Manzella Trade Communications, Inc., a public affairs, publishing and consulting firm. He also is chair of the Upstate New York District Export Council, a position appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, chief strategy officer of Ignition Life Solutions, a global enterprise risk management consulting firm, former executive director of goTRADE New York, an advocacy coalition sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based Business Roundtable, and former president and CEO of World Trade Center BN.
 
Attend this trade forum Monday, August 17 at 4 pm
FORUM 3 - Truckload Stocks: Preparing for the Summit Push as the Cycle Inflects
Jack Atkins
Managing Director of Transportation Research
Stephens Inc.
 
In this particular moment, forecasting and facilitating the economic recovery is top of mind for businesses. In this forum, Jack Atkins, managing director of transportation research at Stephens Inc., will be providing insight into the economy for the country and for trucking, specifically.

Jack Atkins is the managing director of transportation research, covering the airfreight and surface transportation sectors. He joined Stephens Inc. in August 2007 as a research associate in the industrials group, with a primary focus on industrial distribution and service companies. He was promoted to analyst on the transportation research team in August 2011. Atkins holds a B.A. in history from Auburn University and an M.A. with a concentration in history from Virginia Tech.
 
Get your economic update at this forum Tuesday, August 18 at 9 am
FORUM 4 - Public Health in Arkansas
José R. Romero, M.D.
Secretary of Health
Arkansas Department of Health
 
In addition to increased safety protocols, we will also invite the new Secretary of Health Dr. Jose' Romero to the stage to provide Arkansas specific COVID-19 stats and analysis; insight into Arkansas Department of Health?s role and responsibilities engaging with private sector during a pandemic; and guidance, direction, and information for the essential freight sector in Arkansas going forward.

José R. Romero, M.D. is the current chief medical officer at the Arkansas Department of Health. He was appointed as the interim Secretary of Health of Arkansas by Governor Asa Hutchinson in May 2020 and assumed that role in July 2020. He is also a professor (tenured) of pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has board-certification in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
 
Catch this important safety forum Tuesday, August 18 at 1:30 pm
FORUM 5 - What's Next for Tort Reform?
Justin Allen
Partner
Wright Lindsey Jennings
 
Arkansas Trucking Association has been working toward making the state a better place to do trucking business for decades. One of the challenges has been tort reform. Legal expert Justin Allen will talk about where tort reform efforts stand today and the future of the fight.

Justin Allen leads Wright Lindsey Jennings? Government Relations practice group and assists clients in working with state and local government on matters of policy, regulation and legislation. Allen practiced law as a litigator for almost eight years at Wright Lindsey Jennings before joining the Arkansas Attorney General?s office as Chief Deputy Attorney General. As chief deputy, Allen gained considerable experience in government relations matters and worked with the Governor?s office, legislators, agency directors and private interests before rejoining WLJ. Allen has been named to the ?Arkansas 250? by Arkansas Business, he is a graduate of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce?s Leadership Arkansas and, in 2011, Arkansas Business recognized Allen in the publication?s annual 40 Under 40 list. Since 2012, Mid-South Super Lawyers has acknowledged Allen for his work in the area of government relations. Currently, Allen actively serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas Division, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Sheridan Parks & Recreation Board in his hometown.
 
Check out this industry issue forum Tuesday, August 18 at 3 pm
 
 
SPECIAL REPORT & FEATURED SPEAKER
      
Vote for Roads. Vote for Issue 1.
In the November election, Arkansans will have the chance to vote to extend the half-cent sales tax to raise over $205 million annually for state highways and bridges, plus an additional $43 million each for counties and cities. In this special report, a panel will discuss what a yes-vote for Issue 1 would mean for Arkansas infrastructure.


     
                                                                
Robert Moery
Owner & Principal
Broadview
Strategies		   Joe Quinn
Executive Director
Arkansas Good Roads Foundation		   Randy Ort
Deputy Director & COO
Arkansas Department of Transportation

Attend this special report Tuesday, August 18 at 11 am
Featured Speaker
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS
Former White House Press Secretary
 
Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald J. Trump from 2017 to 2019. A trusted confidante of the President, Sanders advised him on everything from press and communications strategy to personnel and policy. For two and a half years, Sanders was at the President?s side, battling with the media, working with lawmakers and CEOs, and staffing the President on every foreign trip, including dozens of meetings with foreign leaders. Sanders is only the third woman and the very first mom to ever hold the job of White House Press Secretary.
 
Check out this industry issue forum Tuesday, August 18 at 4 pm
 
NEW TERRAIN
 
We will still have several opportunities for attendees to network and celebrate all that we have survived this year, but we are very aware that this is going to be a different experience than we've had in years' past.
 
Our awards presentation will be contactless with a photo opp area set up for winners to be recognized. We will have a new wristband system to indicate to other attendees your safety boundaries and comfort-level with contact throughout the event. Our intent is for every person to have a productive learning and networking space without jeopardizing the health of a single member or the community that is hosting us.
 
Arkansas Trucking Association's Annual Conference has been approved by the Arkansas Department of Health to ensure our event is in compliance with the most recent health and safety preparations.
 
We will have the convention center to ourselves with plenty of room for every attendee to maintain 6' of space. There will be numerous reminders to help us adopt this practice as we are all still getting used to socializing and networking differently.
 
Hand hygiene is another easy-to-implement safety measure. Personal hand sanitizer and hand sanitizing stations can be found throughout the event space.
 
Meals and coffee breaks will also be updated to include fewer people per table at lunches, individually wrapped snack items, and staff-served coffee rather than self-serve stations.
 
All hotel, convention center, and ATA staff will be wearing masks throughout the event. Attendees should also wear masks when unable to social distance, except while eating or drinking. You can expect to see signage to remind you, and ATA will have masks available throughout the event.
 
Most of these changes will only be as effective as the behavior of staff and attendees, so as trucking so often does, we will be pulling together as an industry to protect the safety of each other.
 
Read more about heightened cleanliness protocols for the hotel and event center at our website and learn more about navigating the Rogers community below.
   



 
Location:

John Q. Hammons Convention Center
Rogers, Ark.

For hotel reservations, please click here to access the new room block. ATA Room Block  

However, if you already have reservations, please call 1-800-HILTONS. 

Room rates are $154, $164 and $174 for single/double, triple and quad respectively. Deadline to receive our discounted room rate is July 26.

Date/Time Information:
August 17 - 18, 2020
Fees/Admission:
ATA member: $350
Additional ATA member attendees from within the same organization: $250 per person
Non-member: $550 per person

Registrations received after July 31 will be subject to $100 late registration fee.

Registration fees will be refunded if notice of cancellation is received in writing by the Arkansas Trucking Association no later than the close of business, July 31, 2020. No refunds will otherwise be made. Cancellations will be subject to $50 cancellation fee.
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