Page 44 - ATR 5 2020 digital

New Logistical Challenge:

Conferencing in a Pandemic

Recap of the 2020 ATA Annual Conference & Vendor Showcase

By ATA Staff THE FORUMS Sarah Huckabee
On May 6-8, over 300 trucking This year’s session line-up included Sanders
executives would have been gathering five educational forums, an exclusive
in Rogers, Ark. shaking hands, passing 40-Under-40 council meeting and fea-
business cards to new acquaintances, tured speaker former White House Press
slapping backs or hugging old friends, Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
chewing on the ends of pens while tak- Sanders was the headlining speaker,
ing notes during one of the forums, or closing out two-days of presentations
clinking glasses while networking at from industry and state experts. She
one of the receptions. But of course, you shared stories from her time at the
know what really happened on May 6-8. White House, where she advised Pres.
Trucking executives around the state Donald Trump on everything from
were busy behind their desks trying to press and communication strategy to
manage teams of remote workers or personnel and policy as only the third
keep drivers safe and informed as they woman and the very first mom to ever
traveled across the country in the early hold the press secretary position.
months of a devastating and deadly But before Sanders closed the show,
pandemic. attendees were there for insights on
But Arkansas Trucking Association trucking research, trade, the economy,
did not cancel the annual event. political discussion, regulations, and
Instead, President Shannon Newton safety.
postponed, while the industry navigated In Monday’s first forum, “Trucking
the new logistical challenges and while Toward a New Reality,” American
the health experts learned more about Transportation Research Institute
how the virus works and what measures President and COO Rebecca Brewster
can mitigate the risks of large gather- presented ATRI’s most recent research
ings, where the virus is most likely to including the impacts of COVID-19, last
spread. year’s top trucking concerns, the opera-
On August 17-18, Arkansas tional costs of trucking, a financial
Trucking Association held its annual analysis of toll systems, and what has
business conference and vendor show- been learned about the effect of nuclear
case. It was smaller, much different in verdicts (those over $10 million) on
practice, but familiar in spirit to the trucking. Brewster also discussed
event that ATA members have attended upcoming research projects including
every year since 1932. The event still vehicle-miles-traveled models of infra-
attracted 134 attendees, representing structure funding and how even small
66 companies to the John Q. Hammons verdicts can impact the industry.  Rebecca Brewster (American
Convention Center.  Transportation Research Institute)

44 Issue 5 2020 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT