NATSO, the trade association representing the truckstop and travel plaza industry, and the Truckload Carriers Association will team up to offer a special joint panel discussion on “The Future of Trucking” during their annual conferences in Las Vegas, Nev.

On Feb. 27, NATSO and TCA together will host a panel of experts who will discuss the critical issues facing trucking and their impact on the truckstop and travel plaza industry in 2010 and beyond. The roster includes U.S. Xpress Enterprises co-chairman and president Pat Quinn, O&S Trucking Inc. President Jim O’Neal, ACT Research partner and senior analyst Kenny Vieth, and Ernie Betancourt, former president and chief executive officer of Innovative Computing Corp. and president of QuikQ LLC.

“The transportation industry must continually transform itself to remain competitive,” says TCA President Chris Burruss. “This session allows opportunities for industry partners to exchange ideas and promote innovations that will chart a roadmap back to profit for everyone’s benefit.”

“We’re crafting a powerhouse event with a clear message: ‘Now is the time to create your future,’ ” says NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “This is a pivotal moment to identify steps to take today to prepare our industries for tomorrow’s opportunities.

NATSO’s meeting will proceed concurrently with the TCA annual meeting, enabling industry members to network with customers, suppliers and thought-leaders all in one trip to Las Vegas. NATSO will host its annual show in Las Vegas Feb. 27-March 3 at Caesars Palace. TCA is scheduled to host its 2010 annual convention at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort Feb. 28-March 3.

Sponsored by Shell Lubricants, “The Future of Trucking” session is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, at Caesars Palace and is open to all attendees who are registered for either The NATSO Show or the TCA Annual Convention.