Updated 3/23/20 to include information on cancelled or postponed conference due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Trucking conferences are a unique way of keeping your company relevant while giving you skills to carry throughout your entire career. Conferences expand your knowledge, keep you up to speed on industry news and regulations, and create unexpected connections with both peers and ideas.
For the past three years now we’ve published a list of the top trucking conferences for the year – we think it’s valuable to provide this resource so you can decide what events will best help you and your company reach your goals.
All information below has been taken directly from event webpages and corporate sites, which deserve all the credit for the content in this blog. Click on the logo or title link to go directly to the actual event information and/or registration page! All that’s left to do is convince your boss to book that ticket (might we suggest the Tenstreet User Conference to start?)
Listed in chronological order, we bring you the leading (and largest) trucking conferences of 2020 – hope to see you there!
1. The Work Truck Show – The Work Truck Show, Green Truck Summit, & Fleet Technical Congress – March 3-6 – Indianapolis, IN
Produced annually by NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry,The Work Truck Show® features the latest vocational trucks, vans, vehicle components and truck equipment from 530 exhibitors on a Show floor covering more than 500,000 square feet. The event includes a robust educational conference with industry-specific training and opportunities to engage the commercial vehicle community at special events. This year’s event is the 20th anniversary convention.
Green Truck Summit, held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show®, features intensive programs on clean energy trends and initiatives for commercial vehicles. The conference brings together government, educators, industry users and innovators to offer insights on the work truck industry’s path to zero emissions. Presenters will share how sustainable technologies, alternative fuels and connected vehicles are driving industry evolution.
2. Mid-American Trucking Show – MATS – March 26-28 – Louisville, KY
Cancelled
With over 1,000 exhibitors and 1,000,000 square feet of exhibits, education, and special events, MATS is the best event to research new products/services, keep up with regulatory changes, and connect with experts, at one time, at one all-encompassing event.
Over 90% of exhibitors and attendees state that MATS is an important event for them to connect with industry peers to build strategic partnerships, network, and exchange ideas to improve the way they do business. The #1 reason attendees participate in MATS is to see new products in person, and with interactive exhibit displays, MATS provides the perfect forum for industry professionals to experience new equipment and technology.
3. The American Trucking Association – ATA Safety Management Council (SMC) and Transportation Security Council (TSC) Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition – April 6-8 – Indianapolis, IN
Cancelled/Postponed/In Review
This three-day conference features industry-leading educational programs covering critical topics in trucking safety, security, human resources, claims, and loss prevention. Explore the exhibit hall to discover innovative products and services designed to solve trucking’s challenges in safety, security and human resources. In addition to exceptional educational program and interactive exhibit floor, we provide networking opportunities – another highly appreciated benefit of #SSHR20 conference. Join us in Indianapolis to learn the latest in your profession and improve your ability to provide the safest, most secure and dependable transportation services.
4. Tenstreet – Tenstreet 4th Annual User Conference – April 15-18 – Las Vegas, NV
Cancelled/Postponed/In Review
Maybe we’re biased, but we believe that the Tenstreet User Conference is the year’s can’t-miss industry event. Packed with industry education, individual private sessions, professional growth opportunities, and inspiration that lasts long after you leave, the conference showcases clean and simple solutions to the trucking industry’s biggest problems.
This year’s User Conference will boast new product updates, industry trends, opportunities to have quality conversations about the unique challenges you face as a company with your peers, sponsors and members of the Tenstreet team. The best part? Attendees will receive free access to our latest innovations 90 days before everyone else, and also will receive a discount on these new products once they are generally available. You’ll find plenty to help grow your business, along with some fun surprises along the way – what else could you expect when you’re in Vegas?
5. The National Private Truck Council – NPTC 2020 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition – April 26-28 – Cincinnati, OH
CancelledNPTC’s Annual Conference and Exhibition
is the marquee national private truck fleet event of the year! With over 1,250 attendees and 168 exhibitors, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Attendees can expect 60 speakers at 32 workshops on 7 different focus tracks including topics like Safety, Technology, and Equipment and Maintenance, meaning there’s something for everyone at this event.
A former attendee summed it up best: “I think the focus on education is on target; also can see how the organization is really working to understand the members’ needs and interests of the members.”
The NPTC proudly positions itself as the only trade association in the United States devoted exclusively to the interests of the private corporate trucking fleet industry and its professional practitioners. They represent a cross-section of American manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and public service organizations ranging in size from family-owned small businesses and town utility fleets to Fortune 500 global conglomerates.
6. Commercial Vehicle Training Association – NAPFTDS & CTVA Spring Conference – April 29-May 1 – Naples, FL
The CTVA is the largest association representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States. Currently, it represents nearly 200 training providers in 42 states and trains over 50,000 commercial drivers annually. Conference attendance here is a concrete activity that solidifies the membership and more importantly allows participants to offer new ideas for training and the trucking industry.
This year, the CVTA is partnering with The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) to put on their Spring Conference, so expect an expanded focus and more content this year.
7. Truckload Carriers Association – 39th Annual Safety & Security Meeting – June 7-9 – Louisville, KY
For 38 years, TCA’s Annual Safety & Security Meeting has brought truckload carrier safety professionals together to discuss problems, share ideas, and seek solutions to make their businesses and our roads safer. The highly popular “Safety in the Round” sessions draw from the knowledge of the group to solve common safety management and human-resource problems. Topics typically include workers’ compensation issues, employee/employer communication, improving driver-hiring procedures, and others.
In addition to specialized educational sessions attendees enjoy several networking opportunities, learning about the latest products and services in the exhibit hall, a first-timers’ orientation, receptions, and several meals together.
8. Iowa 80 Truckstop – Truckers Jamboree – July 9-11 – Walcott, Iowa
The Truckers Jamboree
is hosted every year at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, the largest truck shop in the United States, and is in its 40th year. Since its inception in 1979, the Truckers Jamboree has been celebrating America’s Truckers and is a great place to learn about trucking.
Primarily an event for truckers, this event is also open to exhibitors and can be a great investment of resources for carriers looking to expand in their recruiting efforts. The Jamboree has previously hosted 165 Exhibitors (47 of them recruiting-focused) in a 34,000 square foot exhibition hall. Total grounds? A whopping 474,000 square feet.
9. PeopleNet and TMW – In.sight User Conference – August 23-26 – Orlando, FL
Boost your “Transportation IQ” to new levels. All about inspiring new and engaging thought to the future of the trucking industry, this conference (hosted by industry leaders) features hours of education across several different tracks and is the largest technology conference in the transportation industry. Loaded in in.sight, in.novation, in.spiration, and in.genuity, this user conference includes exhibitors, hands-on experience, insight speakers, and three days of interacting with some of the brightest minds in the field.
The real clincher: this year’s event takes place at Walt Disney World!
10. Great American Trucking Show – GATS – August 27-29 – Dallas, TX
GATS’
purpose is to create an interactive, energizing environment entirely focused on trucking’s improvement. An interactive and all-encompassing public convention of trucking professionals, GATS hosts more than 550 exhibits in 500,000 square feet and represents truck, trailer, engine, component and parts manufacturers. Sponsored by the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), this will be its 21st year in operation and it exhibits leaders in the heavy-duty trucking industry. Along with MATS, GATS is one of the largest trucking shows in the country.
11. National Association of Fleet Administrators – NAFA 2020 Institute & Expo – September 18-20 – Indianapolis, IN
NAFA is the world’s premier not-for-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, law enforcement vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. Get up to speed and stay ahead of the curve at the industry’s largest and most comprehensive annual event, for fleet professionals: NAFA’s Institute & Expo.
The Annual Institute & Expo is the largest gathering of fleet professionals and puts a strong focus on networking, touting attendees from all industry segments (of whom 4 out of 5 are decision makers with purchasing power). With over 250 exhibitors and 40 educational sessions that meet the latest fleet needs, the conference expects to draw more than 1,000 professionals from around the world. By attending, you’ll experience cutting-edge products, learn about strategies and solutions for today’s fleet’s concerns, and participate in professional development seminars.
12. Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance – CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition – September 20-24– Wilmington, DE
The Alliance’s premier meeting, the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition, provides the opportunity for government officials, enforcement and industry to gather together to affect meaningful changes to the overall culture of transportation safety throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States.
This annual event includes roll-up-your-sleeves meetings of CVSA’s membership, elected leadership, technical working committees, program committees and task forces. The benefits of the face-to-face interactions are priceless. Participants get down to business, discuss, examine, analyze and make tremendous strides in furthering CVSA’s mission.
13. Women in Trucking – Accelerate! Conference and Expo – Sept 23-25 – Dallas, TX
Join transportation, logistics, and supply chain peers at the 2020 Accelerate! Conference & Expo, sponsored by the Women in Trucking Association. All attendees are stakeholders in the transportation industry, but with a keen interest in how gender diversity can have a positive strategic impact on their career and their company’s success. It all takes place at the amazing Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
Expect 60+ educational sessions on critical transportation issues and trends, along with perspectives of women in the industry. There are four educational areas of focus to ensure you receive relevant information that can be invaluable to your career: Leadership, Professional Development, Human Resources (Recruiting and Talent Management), Operations, and Sales & Marketing.
14. American Trucking Association – Management Conference & Exhibition– Oct 24-27– Denver, CO
The third ATA Conference on our list, The American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE) brings together trucking executives from across the country for the one can’t-miss event of the year that highlights economic, regulatory, and business trends focused on driving the success of fleets today and in the future. Every year nearly 3,000 of trucking’s top decision-makers come to MCE for policy discussions, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and interactive exhibits.
15. National Association of Small Trucking Companies – NASTC Annual Conference – Nov 19-21 – Nashville, TN
The NASTC is dedicated to helping small trucking companies succeed in a growing competitive industry, and boasts a total of 5,000+ small fleet carriers – adding 80 to 100 new carriers each month. Each year NASTC hand picks guest speakers with specialized expertise in several areas of the transportation industry. The Annual Conference features a full agenda of 3 full days of classes, trainings, speakers, receptions, dinners, and ceremonies. As President David Owen says, “You’re never too small to think big.”
Far from exhaustive, this list of popular conferences that exclusively serve the trucking industry will no doubt provide some guidance when planning your 2020 conference year. If we’ve overlooked one that you especially enjoy and believe should be on this list, please let us know in the comments below so we can include it.
We look forward to seeing you at these events and many more throughout 2020! If you’re looking to connect, please reach out to us! We’d love the chance to meet.
