ATA’s Graves to kick off second day of Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference

Bill Graves

Former Gov. Bill Graves, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, will be the opening speaker on day two of the fourth-annual Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference, Aug. 21-22, 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 U.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
• U.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 by CCJ publisher Randall-Reilly and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association, Outlook will be held Aug. 21-22, 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. For more information and to register, go to www.cvoconline.com.

The event is sponsored by Bridgestone, Chevron Delo, Detroit, Espar Heating Systems and Freightliner Trucks.