Former Governor and President of American Trucking Associations to Speak at Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference

Bill Graves, the former goverrnor of Kansas and current President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, will speak on the second day of the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference.

Gov. Bill Graves, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), will be the opening speaker on day two of the fourth annual Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference, August 21 to 22, 2013, at the Dallas Convention Center.

Under Graves’ leadership, ATA is advancing several safety initiatives, including proposals such as: requiring all new heavy trucks be equipped with speed limiters, a national speed limit of 65 miles per hour for all vehicles, requiring the use of electronic logs to monitor drivers’ hours-of-service and establishing a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results.

Under Graves, ATA also has been an advocate for improving our nation’s infrastructure through the use of existing user fees, including calling for higher fuel taxes.

Graves’ address is just one of many compelling presentations on the industry’s most critical issues at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference. Other topics include:

  • Transforming the global energy sector, Robert Bryce, energy expert and critically acclaimed author.  
  • How regulations and customer demand are driving safety technology, Rebecca Brewster, ATRI; Scott Burkhart, Bendix Electronics.
  • Our nation’s infrastructure: Where it’s headed and what it means for trucking and our economy, Drew Preston, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
  • The future of fuel economy: 2017 and beyond, Max Fuller, U.S. Xpress, Craig Bennett, Utility Trailer, Derek Kaufman, Mission Motors.
  • Global economic outlook, Dr. Jeff Rosensweig, globalguru.com and director, Emory University’s Global Perspectives Program.

Presented jointly by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Randall-Reilly Media, The Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference will be held August 21 to 22, the day prior to and the opening day of The Great American Trucking Show and as part of Intersection 2013. 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 Bridgestone, Chevron Delo, Detroit, Espar Heating Systems and Freightliner Trucks. 

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