GOOD TIMES certainly were the order of the day during the 55th annual National Tank Truck Carriers conference and tank truck equipment show May 18 to 20 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The meeting was held at the New Orleans Marriott, which is immediately adjacent to the historic French Quarter.
A key moment on the meeting agenda was the announcement that NTTC has reaffiliated with the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Representatives from both organizations signed reaffiliation documents following the Annual Safety Awards Breakfast on May 20.
Speaking to the NTTC membership, ATA President Bill Graves stressed the importance of safety to the trucking industry. “Safety has got to be job number one on the motor carrier industry,” he said, pointing out that highway fatalities involving trucks were down 3.5% in 2002.
A guardedly optimistic economic report from Martin Labbe Associates reflected the mood of those attending the conference. Other speakers addressed a variety of critical industry issues, including new environmental rules, balanced safety and security risk management, and a new organizing campaign by the Teamsters and other labor unions.
Attendance at the conference and trade show included carrier executives, ATA officials, supplier representatives, and spouses. Nearly 50 exhibitors gave participants a chance to see the latest tank truck equipment and services.
Jack F Schwerman, president of Tankstar USA Inc, was elected 2003-2004 chairman. Schwerman previously was the central region vice-chairman.
NTTC's 56th annual conference and tank truck equipment show is planned for May 10-12, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada.