The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) is holding its 2021 Annual Meeting both live in-person and virtually this week, one of the first in-person group events for trucking since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic last March.
The hybrid event includes attendees at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill County in San Antonio, Texas, and virtual attendees.
"The turnout has been fantastic especially considering the concern many people have had regarding the coronavirus. I think such a strong showing illustrates the fact that the renting and leasing segment of the trucking industry continues to grow and that TRALA is providing our members with quality information to help them succeed," says TRALA President and CEO, Jake Jacoby. "From our educational sessions to our policy committees, to the networking opportunities for both our regular and supplier members, it was very encouraging to see not only the number of attendees, but how committed all our members are in their support of TRALA."
During Monday's events, TRALA discussed several critical federal and state issues impacting the truck renting and leasing industry during its Government Relations Committee meeting. The topics included whether an infrastructure package would pass Congress and what it might look like, tort reform in the states, security legislation at the federal and state level, as well as a myriad of tax issues that could impact the industry.
During the Security Committee meeting, the FBI sent representatives to discuss evolving security threats involving trucks as well as the increased concern over domestic terrorism and discussed ways to continue collaborating with regard to critical issues that impact the truck renting and leasing industry.
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The Equipment and Technology Advisory Council meeting featured presentations by representatives from, Volvo Trucks, PLM, eTransEnergy, a Duke Energy Company, and ChargePoint. The presentations focused on the electrification of trucks, and the opportunities and obstacles relating to infrastructure, timing, and how this could impact the overall trucking industry in the next several years.
In the afternoon, the NationaLease System began work on their own leasing system meeting that are held in conjunction with the TRALA Annual Meeting each year.Monday ended with a virtual reception sponsored by Thermo King and an outstanding in-person welcome social Monday evening hosted by Freightliner Trucks.
Rick Todd, president of the South Carolina Trucking Association, also was named TRALA's state trucking award winner on Tuesday.
[Editor's note: The photo used in conjunction with this article was taken at the 2019 TRALA Annual Meeting.]
