Come celebrate the successes of the past year and prepare for the challenges ahead!
The Virginia Trucking Association defeated truck-only tolls on Interstate 81 and helped steer negotiations that led to a funding program that, while not perfect, is better than the alternatives presented. We now have to turn our attention important issues facing all of us:
• Representing trucking’s interests as decisions are made on projects to improve I-81
• Ensuring trucking’s voice is heard during a similar study of how best to make improvements in the I-95 Corridor and how to pay for them.
• Addressing the shortage of qualified drivers.
• Fighting efforts to start Virginia down the path of allowing 91,000 lbs., 6-axle trucks on our interstate highways.
• Protecting carriers involved in crashes in Virginia from being victimized with excessive towing charges.
As the only statewide organization in Virginia dedicated solely to representing the interests of the trucking industry in the Commonwealth, you can rest assured that the Virginia Trucking Association and its premiere trucking fleet and vendor members will lead the way in dealing with these challenges.
We hope you will attend the VTA’s 2019 Annual Convention to learn more about the challenges we face and the issues impacting your business, network with your industry peers and customers and have some fun!
We look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach!
Thank You!
2019
All Events Sponsors!
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Diamond Exclusive
PrePass Safety Alliance
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Platinum
Excel Truck Group
Great West Casualty
Highway Motors, Inc.
Rush Truck Centers
Setliff Law, PC
Truck Enterprises, Inc.
UPS
Walmart Transportation
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Gold
AP Group, Inc.
Cummins Sales & Service
East Coast Brake Rebuilders
Meritor, Inc.
Midwestern Insurance Alliance, LLC
Truck & Equipment Corp.
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Silver
Englander Transportation, Inc.
FedEx Ground
Fleetmaster Express, Inc.
Nationwide Testing Association
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Bronze
McGriff Insurance Services
Transport Energy Solutions
PROGRAM & SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine – Appointed Secretary of Transportation by Governor Northam in January 2018, Shannon Valentine oversees a multimodal transportation system crossing seven agencies and including more than 10,000 employees. Prior to her appointment, Secretary Valentine served on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, co-directed the Transition Team on Transportation Policy for Governor McAuliffe, and served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, with assignments on the Transportation and Courts of Justice Committees. Her legislative priorities focused on transportation, economic development, education and ethics.
Economic Outlook – Kevin Sterling, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst for Seaport Global Securities will give his perspective on current and future economic conditions for the trucking industry.
Insurance Outlook – Nancy Ahrens of Scott Insurance will give a presentation on the state of the insurance market for the trucking industry.
Employee Benefits Strategies in the Trucking Industry – Jackie Ronning of Cottingham & Butler will present the results of their annual Trucking Benchmark Compensation & Benefits Survey that covers valuable information on medical/Rx strategies & costs; company-sponsored and voluntary benefits; cost containment strategies; wellness strategies and more.
Transitioning from AOBRs to ELDs – The two-year grace period allowing automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRs) in place of devices compliant with the electronic logging device (ELDs) mandate will expire on December 16, 2019. If you have not yet transitioned from AOBRs to ELDs, this session will help you learn what you need to know about making the transition. It will also help fleet managers think beyond ELD compliance and think strategically about the data they need to manage their fleet’s performance, their driver’s behaviors, and vehicle lifecycles that will ultimately pay off in improved fuel economy, enhanced preventive maintenance, lower operating costs, and improved driver retention.
VTA President & CEO Dale Bennett will report on the I-81 funding legislation and other actions of interest to trucking that occurred during the 2019 General Assembly with an update and discussion of the issues that face the Virginia’s trucking industry in 2020.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The success of the VTA’s Annual Convention depends on generous contributions from Sponsors to underwrite the following expenses:
• Food and refreshments during the receptions . . .
• All coffee breaks . . .
• Musical Entertainment …
• Speaker Expenses. . .
• Door Prizes . . .
• Golf Tournament Prizes . . .
Your continued support in 2019 will provide hospitality and prizes for your customers as well as provide you the opportunity to network with the key decision-makers from Virginia’s leading trucking fleets.
Click here to go to VA Trucking Association’s website to download information about being a Sponsor of the VTA’s 2019 Annual Convention.
THE VENUE
The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront – Cooler, but warm temperatures and less-crowded conditions make mid-September a great time to visit Virginia Beach. Located on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel is a prime location just steps from the Atlantic. Enjoy premium amenities including a rooftop infinity pool and trendy bar with panoramic ocean views, an indoor rooftop pool, a fitness center and two award-winning restaurants on site.
Click here for more information about The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Meetings & Activities – The Convention will kick off with the annual golf outing that will be held at Topgolf in Virginia Beach. Topgolf is a premier golf entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout. On Sunday evening, we will host the Welcome Reception followed by Dinner. The rest of Sunday evening is open for you to enjoy the area.
Monday will be filled with speakers and educational sessions. On Monday evening, we will have a reception and dinner, with the rest of the evening open for attendees to enjoy the Virginia Beach nightlife. Tuesday morning will be room check out and departure.
The planning committee has put together all the ingredients that make for a successful meeting – a wonderful location, a great facility, an informative program and fun, entertaining social events – all that’s needed is YOU! Make your plans to attend TODAY!
ACT NOW!
The Deadline for Room Reservations Is Friday, August 16th! – Reserve Your Room Today! It is strongly recommended that you make room reservations as soon as possible. On August 16th, the VTA room block will be released and, after that date, rooms may not be available.
The Hilton Virginia Beach accommodations consist of modern rooms with extensive features and amenities. From plasma TVs and plush Hilton Suite Dreams® Bedding, their array of in-room comforts ensures the most comfortable stay in Virginia Beach. Many balconies also feature expansive views of the Atlantic or the city’s skyline. The special VTA room rates for the 2019 Convention are:
• City View = $144 per night (plus taxes)
• Ocean View = $164 per night (plus taxes)
Click here for lodging reservations web page to reserve your room online. Once there, click on the type of room you want to reserve and then click on “Check Room Availability.” Enter your arrival and departure dates, select number of rooms and guests and click on “Continue” to complete your reservation. The VTA’s special rates are available for our members from September 12 through 19, based on availability outside our meeting dates.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN ROOM RESERVATIONS.
YOUR ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE.
THE DEADLINE FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS IS FRIDAY, August 16, 2019.
HOW TO REGISTER TO ATTEND
Click here to go to the VA Trucking Association’s website to download the registration form to sign up for the meetings and other activities. For planning purposes, it is important that you indicate on the Registration Form the number of people that will participate in each meal and activity. Return the form and payment for the appropriate fees to the VTA no later than Friday, August 16, 2019. No refunds will be given after September 6th, 2019.
NOTE: If your spouse is attending with you, you must pay the spouse registration fee in order for her/him to have breakfast, lunch and the group dinners. Two meeting attendees staying in the same room must pay the single registration fee for each person.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the VTA at (804) 355-5371. We look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach!
Alton B. Hall Memorial Golf Tournament – Sunday, September 15
Topgolf – 5444 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Topgolf offers addictive point-scoring golf games that anyone from the hopeful pro golfer to the person who has never played can enjoy. Picture a 240-yard outfield with dartboard-like targets in the ground. The closer to the center or “bull’s-eye” you get and the farther out you hit your microchipped balls, the more points you receive.
The Topgolf outing is designed so that all who want to play, regardless of skill level, can participate and have fun without feeling the pressure of a tournament on a regulation golf course. Topgolf is like a combination of a bowling alley and a driving range where you can network and interact with all participants during the event. Visit their website at https://topgolf.com/us/virginia-beach/ to learn more about the Topgolf experience.
You may bring your own clubs to use or you can use the free rental clubs. The fee for the Topgolf outing is $75, which includes lunch that will be served at 1:00 p.m. (Note adult beverages will be available to purchase on your own) Please list the player name(s) and handicap or average score on the registration form and include the $75 per player fee with your registration.
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Sunday, September 15, 2019
1:00 p.m. Alton B. Hall Memorial Golf Tournament (Lunch Included)
Top Golf – Virginia Beach
4:00 p.m. Room Check-In
4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Registration Desk Open
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Welcome Reception & Dinner
Monday, September 16, 2019
6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Registration Desk Open
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon Business Sessions
12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Business Sessions
6:30 p.m. Reception & Dinner
Tuesday, September 17, 2018
11:00 a.m. Check Out & Departure
Report adverse trucking conditions: TMTA TRAC