Jam-packed 2005 OTA convention promises to be best yet

TORONTO — These are unprecedented times for Canadian trucking, and the Ontario Trucking Association is making sure members are on top of all the developments affecting the industry.

Perhaps the most substantial lineup of seminars and workshops in OTA convention history, this year’s event — taking place at the Toronto Congress Centre next week (Nov. 17-18) — has a hot topic for just about any type of trucker.

The convention kicks off at Thursday’s opening breakfast, where Graeme Deans of AT Kearney discusses the awakened economic giant of China. What does that mean for you? Deans explains.

Next is the International Trucking Forum, where carriers and the heads of the trucking associations of Australia, Europe, New Zealand and the United States will join the CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance David Bradley for a discussion of mutual operational issues and international regulatory trends.

Continuing with the day’s economic theme, the afternoon offers the “Wall Street Outlook For Trucking” where some of North America’s most knowledgeable financial trucking analysts discuss the future of the industry.

Other seminars on Thursday include: “Getting drivers from non-traditional sources”; “Crossing the border Q&A”; and “The Market: don’t put your business in reverse.”

Friday has a wide-variety of topics up for discussion. In the morning, OOIDA President Jim Johnston will speak about the future of owner-operators, followed by a panel of drivers who will discuss their perceptions.

Also, learn more about banking strategies in the new economy in a seminar hosted by the RBC Financial Group.

Before lunch, safety and compliance managers can drop in on the “Innovations in Driver Training: The New Voluntary Apprenticeship Program” session, which will introduce carriers to a new voluntary apprenticeship program for truckers soon to be approved by the Ontario Government.

At the same time, sales and marketing folks can go listen to shippers who realize the value of a good carrier. A panel of shippers discuss carrier-friendly strategies to retain or attract trucking companies as their customers in this capacity crunch era.

In the afternoon, there are a handful of sessions. The National Post’s Business CEO of the Year Rick Gaetz, president and CEO, Vitran Corp., measures his company’s financial progress. Joining him will be Don Streuber, president of Bison Diversified Inc., member of the prestigious platinum club for the Post’s 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada. They’ll be showing carriers how to measure performance.

One new seminar recently added is “The Future Regulatory Environment for Trucking in Ontario.” It will feature a discussion of the latest regulations, including hours of service, trip inspection, load securement, safety ratings and associated programs (CVOR and Facility Audits), new entrant programs, and on road enforcement led by a panel of Ministry of Transport Ontario and OTA staff. MTO may also offer a glimpse of how regulations will develop in the future.

Entertainment for the two-day event includes:

Dennis Hull — a gifted hockey player who had to contend with his older brother’s reputation. Hull is actually a very funny man. And his tales at Friday morning’s breakfast will prove it.

At lunch, world-renowned motivator and communicator Mike Lipkin will take the stand at the Freightliner Luncheon.

Friday evening’s gala reception and dinner will feature Canadian singer Jann Arden.

To register for any of the seminars offered, or for the complete convention package, download a registration form from www.ontruck.org/convention and mail, email or fax it to: 1-866-713-4188