The National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) will host its 28th Annual Convention from Oct. 3-5, 2018, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The NTDA serves independent trailer dealers of North America by offering a wide variety of management training, educational resources and one of the best networking events available in the industry — its annual convention.
NTDA says this year’s convention educational program kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 3, with Bonus Sessions geared toward helping trailer dealers increase efficiency and profitability. Donald Cooper, MBA, CSP, HoF, with The Donald Cooper Corporation, will discuss how to effectively and profitably exit a business. Erik Nachbahr, president and founder of Helion Trucking Technologies, will discuss developing the right IT strategy for trailer dealerships. David Ritchie, CMIOSH, corporate safety director for Great Dane Trailers, will cover innovative approaches to designing and implementing safety programs.
Following the sessions, NTDA says attendees will get a taste of the wild, wild West that evening with a Rocky Mountain Reception that will offer the opportunity to sample some of the world’s best small batch whiskey from 291, winner of the Liquid Gold award, among others. Attendees will get a close-up view of Colorado wildlife as majestic birds of prey fly overhead. They will have a chance to meet a wolf up close and learn about the behavior and traits of these wild canines. Attendees will also test their skill with a tomahawk toss.
NTDA President Dale Martens will deliver the State of the Association address on Thursday, Oct. 4, and then educational programming continues with an industry economic overview presented by FTR Chairman and CEO Eric Starks. This year, two important industry keynote presentations will offer insights on the state of the U.S. and Canadian trucking industries with addresses by Stephen Laskowsky, president at the Canadian Trucking Alliance, and Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.
Trailer industry technology continues to change more rapidly than ever, and truck platooning and autonomous vehicles are at the forefront. NTDA says Rod McLane, vice president of marketing at Peloton Technology, will explain how the firm is innovating in the groundbreaking world of safety, efficiency, and data intelligence tied into the future of modern sensing, controls and communications to augment the abilities of human drivers during the general session on Thursday, Oct. 4.
Keynote Presenter John Foley also will take attendees on a “High-Performance Climb” on Thursday, Oct. 4. Foley is a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, a Sloan Fellow at Stanford School of Business, a gratitude guru and an expert in the how of High Performance teams. His exciting, rare journey inspires awe, triggering attendees to act and rethink what is possible, NTDA says.
Attendees then will have a chance to enhance their business and industry knowledge through three concurrent sessions on Thursday, Oct. 4.
Learn eight essential steps to attracting, leading and engaging a top-performing team during “Winning the Talent Wars,” presented by Donald Cooper, MBA, CSP, HoF, with The Donald Cooper Corporation. Dealers also will have the opportunity to review Federal Excise Tax (FET) calculations and discuss the various deduction allowed for destination, optional extended warranties, non-transportation equipment, tire tax credit and look at the overall FET calculation. NTDA says dealer also examine their tax plan and the most advantageous strategy in preparation for the year’s end as well as what’s ahead for 2019 during “FET Common Mistakes, IRS Exam Practices & Year-end Tax Tips,” presented by Tim Reynolds, CPA, principal and Pat Hoppa, manager, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Finally, New California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Attendees will learn how these and other proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) standards could impact their business in a “CARB and GHG Phase 2 Rules Update,” led by moderator Al Cohn, director of new market development and engineering at PSI. NTDA says panelists include: Mike Tunnell, director, Energy & Environmental Affairs, American Trucking Associations; Robert Lane, director of business development for Wabash National; and Mike Shuemake, president of Central Valley Trailer Repair in Fresno, Calif.
An Exhibition and Luncheon also will take place Thursday, Oct. 4, featuring more than 100 displays showcasing the latest trailer technology innovations, components, management systems, finance options, and more. Members will introduce new products at the Convention. Dealer attendees of the Exhibition can enter drawings to win special prizes, NTDA says.
Networking events during the convention include a welcome reception on Wednesday, Oct. 3, and a special dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 5 that will honor NTDA sponsors, the board of directors, and membership ambassadors. The President’s Award of Excellence will also be presented along with the “NTDA Hall of Commitment Award,” the association says. Inductees are men and women who have shaped the association and their profession through noteworthy accomplishments and dedication to service, leadership and professionalism.
NTDA says viral video sensation Joe Everson will create a live-action painting while singing the National Anthem to kick off the NTDA general session on October 4. A silent auction of Everson’s painting will raise money for the NTDA Scholarship Program.
Another highlight at each year’s convention is the annual golf tournament, which has become a fundraiser for the NTDA’s scholarship program that benefits children of NTDA members. The tournament will be played at The Broadmoor’s East and West Courses to accommodate the significant demand for golf during the Convention.
