Swag, lunch buffets, and networking happy hours are staples of transportation industry trade shows. But there’s far more to conferences than koozies, diet busters, and fuzzy headedness. Carriers can stay abreast of freight industry trends and make connections that lead to new business.
Transportation industry trade shows offer value to carriers of all sizes through learning opportunities, networking, and exposure to new products and technologies. Carriers also can speak with prospective service providers, take a ride in a yet-to-be-released vehicle, and catch up with trusted partners.
There are still three quarters left of 2024, so there’s plenty of time to attend information-packed freight industry trade shows and conferences. Here are eight to attend from Q2 to Q4 of 2024.
National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Annual Conference & Exhibits
May 4-7, Las Vegas
The Fontainebleau on the Las Vegas Strip will host the annual NTTC event, which will include the North American Safety Award luncheon and the crowning of the Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year.
Attendees are advised to pack their best derby attire for a Kentucky Derby party benefiting the NTTC Political Action Committee at The Tavern at Fontainebleau.
Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo
May 20-23, Las Vegas
Billed as the largest advanced commercial vehicle technology show, the ACT Expo will be staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Speakers will include Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks; Adam Wright, CEO of Pilot Travel Centers; and Art Vallely, president of Penske Truck Leasing.
Highlights will include more than 200 low- and zero-emission commercial vehicles on site and four days of educational programming on the latest trends and technologies transforming advanced clean transportation. In addition, more than 40 of the latest advanced clean vehicles will be available for test runs on May 21 and 22.
NMFTA 2024 Summer Meeting
June 2-4, Louisville, Kentucky
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMTA) represents the interests of less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. It provides the industry with classification standards, identification codes, digital operation standards, and support for cybersecurity. The summer meeting will take place at the Hotel Distil, located along Louisville’s Whiskey Row.
The organization’s fall meeting will take place Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia.
Home Delivery World
June 5-6, Philadelphia
Hosted at the Philadelphia Convention Center, the annual event encompasses every aspect of the retail logistics and supply chain process, starting from inventory management and fulfillment in the warehouse to delivery and the customer experience at the final destination.
Carriers will have the opportunity to meet thousands of attendees, including leaders from top retailers like Macy’s, Walmart, Ikea, and Best Buy.
Last Mile Delivery (LMD) Conference & Expo
June 24-25, Las Vegas
Carriers, shippers, e-commerce retailers, fleet operators, and 3PLs all attend the LMD Conference & Expo, which will take place this year at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
Among the topics to be discussed during the conference are collaborative models in last-mile delivery, e-commerce trends impacting last-mile delivery, regulatory challenges, emerging technologies, and route optimization.
IANA Intermodal EXPO
Sept. 9-11, Long Beach, California
Intermodal carriers will attend the annual Intermodal Association of North America show at the Long Beach Convention Center, where they will meet executives from ports, railroads, ocean shipping companies, technology suppliers, and equipment manufacturers.
Topics to be tackled include transloading, driver productivity, sustainability, regulatory risk, chassis provisioning, and automation.
American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE)
Oct 12-15, Nashville, Tennessee
The theme for MCE 2024 is “Nothing Without Trucking,” and the conference at the Music City Center will showcase the latest innovations in trucking from more than 200 exhibitors and give attendees an opportunity to make their voices heard on policy issues.
ATA claims that “no other industry event attracts as many owners, presidents, CEOs and senior executives.”
Accelerate! Conference & Expo by Women In Trucking Association
Nov. 10-13, Dallas
More than 2,000 transportation professionals – female and male – are expected to gather at the Hilton Anatole for the Women in Trucking (WIT) annual conference.
Educational sessions will follow six tracks: leadership, professional development, HR/talent management, operations and safety, sales and marketing, and professional truck driving.
Carriers Should Register Now for 2024 Trade Shows
Of course, this is just a sampling of the dozens of trade shows that take place each year.
Contact Cass today to connect with our experts.
