350 attend outlook meeting

More than 350 trucking industry leaders attended the inaugural Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in August, produced by Randall-Reilly Business Media & Information and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association.

The CVOC attracted leaders from all segments of the trucking industry for expert presentations, panel discussions and networking two days prior to the opening of the Great American Trucking Show. Attendees included fleet executives, truck OEMs, part and component suppliers, truck dealers, distributors, and maintenance and repair specialists.

“This year’s conference lays the foundation for us to achieve our goal: To make Dallas the destination where professionals from all segments of the trucking industry gather each fall to see the latest equipment, products and services, learn about industry trends and concerns, and network with their peers, suppliers and customers,” said Alan Sims, vice president/executive director, Randall-Reilly Events Group

CVOC attendees heard about the state of the economic recovery and what the industry must do to survive in the fourth quarter and beyond. Speakers included Dan Sobic, executive vice president, Paccar, and Tommy Hodges, chairman, the American Trucking Associations. Eric Starks, president, FTR Associates, presented an economic outlook for trucking. Donald Broughton, managing director, Avondale Partners, discussed how capital markets are reacting to trucking trends.

The 2011 CVOC will be held at the Dallas Convention Center Aug. 24-25, prior to the opening of the GATS. The event is sponsored by Castrol Heavy Duty, Commercial Carrier Journal, Kenworth Truck, Peterbilt Motors, Paccar Engines, Paccar Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Utility Trailer Manufacturing and Volvo Trucks North America.