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CHARLOTTE, N.C.—More than 1,000 tank truck industry stakeholders recently descended on the Queen City with the goal of “navigating new horizons,” and they’re moving at “full speed” toward the election and beyond after advancing collective causes with packed committee meetings, informative sessions, and new equipment and technology exhibits here at National Tank Truck Carriers’ Tank Truck Week 2024.
“You can expect NTTC will be aligning your interests with the necessary approach once the dust has settled on the election and we know who is in office, we understand the policies of the Administration, and who we can expect to see in regulatory offices,” Ryan Streblow, NTTC president and CEO, told the trade association’s Board of Directors on Oct. 1 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
“We will adjust our tactics as needed to best serve the tank truck industry.”
American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear’s spirited call to action—delivered on the same day port workers walked out, Vice Presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz debated, and Hurricane Helene victims desperately pleaded for more government assistance—highlighted the program’s myriad presentations. Spear spoke for 35 minutes about the pressing issues that keep him up at night—emissions, litigation, and workforce—and then spent 15 minutes taking questions to help fill the void vacated by Fox News co-host Brian Kilmeade, who cancelled his appearance due to the confluence of election-critical events.
“This is—without question—one of the most divisive environments my team and I have ever witnessed,” Spear said. “Every year I say it can’t get any worse, and the next year I’m invited back, and I say, ‘Yeah, it actually has.’
“Budgets are blown, and they get replenished every year without question; there are no performance metrics, no accountability; and you’re really dealing with people who have never worked in a business in their entire lives. So that perspective is really lacking in Washington. That’s where we come in—ATA and NTTC, working together to make certain they understand the importance of this industry, and think of you first before they make decisions, especially decisions that are irreversible. So it’s important going into this election that we’re staying front burner with these decisionmakers.”
See also: Kraft introduces Omni composite tank trailer
Streblow echoed those sentiments in his remarks to tank truck industry leaders.
“We’re fully immersed in what can only be described as one of the most chaotic election cycles in decades,” he said. “Coming off an Administration that our industry continues to struggle with—from labor issues to emissions regulation and the economy—we are now presented with two Presidential candidates who promise change—but I think it’s the American people who are seeking a change.”
Star-studded tanker affair
Other noteworthy guests included Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration Chief Counsel Melody Drummond Hansen, who addressed attendees Oct. 2 during the annual Safety and Security Awards Banquet at the Westin Hotel; motivational speaker Roger Seip, co-founder of Freedom Personal Development and author of “Train Your Brain for Success;” NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, who signed autographs at a Wabash event on the JW Marriott Charlotte rooftop; Lindsey Trent, president of Next Gen Trucking; and Usher Transport driver Dave Powell, NTTC’s reigning Tank Truck Driver of the Year.
New Depot Connect International CEO Chris Synek also made his first Tank Truck Week appearance to introduce Spear.
“I joined DCI one month ago, so I’m here to learn as much as I possibly can,” said Synek, who replaced Scott Harrison after previously serving as CEO of Neovia Logistics. “I’m excited to learn more about the industry.”
Deliverables delivered in bulk
Tank Truck Week 2024 also boasted 12 educational sessions covering critical operational, regulatory, equipment, and safety issues, including confined-space entry, roadside inspections, tank trailer cybersecurity, and the growing ISO tank market; 14 meetings, including chemical, advocacy, and workforce committee discussions, and the Tank Cleaning and Maintenance Council’s gathering—which featured an enlightening presentation from Dan Anderson, an industrial hygienist with Trimac Transportation—and the event-concluding banquet, where NTTC recognized Personnel and North American Safety Contest Grand Award winners, and the Safety Professionals of the Year: Chris Pape, Groendyke Transport vice president of safety and training; Jerry Curl, G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation COO; and Brent Bergevin, Love’s Travel Stops executive vice president of transportation.
Lance Hagler, Trimac senior safety director, also welcomed his successor as Safety and Security Council national chair, Groendyke’s Pape, who Hagler said exudes a “a calm wisdom.” Pape responded by saying he’s ready to hit the ground running to strengthen the council’s mission. “Steel sharpens steel,” he said. “There’s a wealth of knowledge in this room—and if we share more, we’ll get better as a whole.”
See also: Groendyke extends lofty NTTC safety record
Finally, more than 80 leading tank truck industry suppliers showed off the latest equipment, technology, and services on 200,000-sq.-ft. of sold-out exhibition space. New products on display included a composite trailer from Australian manufacturer Omni Tanker and EnTrans International distributed by Kraft Tank, a prototype Tank Tech smart tank trailer system from Wabash, innovative rear lighting technology from Mac LTT, and the new AirDrive hydraulic truck blower system from Apsco and DCI.
“I was very excited to come down and see the latest shiny toys,” said NTTC Chairman Ward Best, Atlantic Bulk Carrier vice president.
More to come
Look for extended coverage on these topics and more both online and in the November/December print issue of Bulk Transporter magazine, and be sure to peruse the 45-image gallery for an all-inclusive overview of Tank Truck Week 2024.
