The Alabama Trucking Association held another unforgettable Convention on May 25-26 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort in Destin, Fla., bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals to celebrate progress and discuss key trends shaping the future of trucking. Presented by Kenworth Trucks, the 2025 Alabama Trucking Convention was a resounding success, marked by insightful discussions, engaging panels, and meaningful collaboration.  

The Friday Business Meeting kicked off with a keynote from Rebecca Brewster, President of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). Brewster highlighted ATRI’s mission to improve industry safety and efficiency through data-driven research. Attendees were encouraged to participate in ATRI’s Operational Costs Data Collection to aid in this vital work, further emphasizing the importance of industry collaboration.  

A Panel discussion, moderated by Convention Chairman Daniel Wright, brought together key industry voices to share their expertise and practical insights:

• Charlie Prickett (AAA Cooper): “Repetition is key to keeping safety top of mind.” 
• Scott Smith (PS Logistics): “Every truck’s profitability matters—trucking is rooted in math.”
• Steve Johnson (Action Enterprise): “Safety starts with training. It shapes job performance.”  

Adding to the excitement, Sen. Tommy Tuberville addressed the group, speaking on the critical role of transportation and the need for fair regulations to support the industry. While sharing his views on the future of trucking, he teased some potential plans that will be revealed soon. The day also featured a lively raffle, with one lucky attendee winning a Rizzini 20-gauge shotgun.

The next morning, Sweet Tea Trio, fresh off their performance at the Friday Evening Night Cap, captivated the crowd with a powerful, heartfelt rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Their voices soared, filling the room with industry pride and a deep love for country — the perfect start to the day.

The session continued with Rob Engstrom of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and ATA President Mark Colson providing a spicy burrito of updates on political developments, economic trends, and policies shaping the future of American businesses. Their ebb and flow of discussion offered valuable context for navigating the evolving economic and regulatory landscape.

A highlight of the session was an engaging panel discussion on safety and maintenance, led by Travis Williams, Director of Logistics at Greenbush Logistics. The session addressed key safety challenges facing trucking fleets and featured valuable insights from winners from the ATA Safety & Maintenance Management Council’s Annual Fleet Safety Awards: Debbie Henderson (Eagle Motor Freight), a three-time Alabama Trucking Safety Professional of the Year; Robert Foster (P&S Transportation), ATA Fleet Manager of the Year; and Karen Fuller (R.E. Garrison Trucking), Runner-up for Maintenance Professional of the Year.

Lt. Jason Harris of ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit also contributed, emphasizing the impressive progress being made through the partnership between ATA and the state’s enforcement community to reduce CMV crashes and fatalities.

The session concluded with Kimble Coaker and the ATA Comp Fund team sharing important updates on their ongoing efforts to enhance workplace and employee safety. Over the years, the fund has returned over $285 million in dividends to its members, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the industry. To learn more about the ATA Comp Fund and unlock its benefits, visit www.atacompfund.org and start leveraging this invaluable resource today.

On Saturday night, the group concluded the 2025 Alabama Trucking Convention with a celebration that honored the remarkable individuals who embody the strength, resilience, and excellence of our industry. It was a fitting finale to an inspiring weekend.

The evening highlighted the outstanding contributions of Chairman Joe Black, whose steadfast leadership and passion have kept us moving forward through uncertain economic times. Under his guidance, we’ve remained united, prepared to face the challenges ahead.

We also had the privilege of presenting Susan Kirkpatrick of Buddy Moore Trucking with the esteemed H. Chester Webb Award for Distinguished Service. Susan’s unwavering dedication has been instrumental in elevating Alabama Trucking and the ATA Comp Fund to leaders in safety, advocacy, and workforce development.

Additionally, we celebrated our Driver of the Year, James White of P&S Transportation, alongside other exceptional winners from the SMMC Fleet Safety Awards. The night ended on a high note as attendees set sail with the Monsters of Yacht, closing the convention with energy and camaraderie.

A huge thank you to Kenworth and all our sponsors for their generous support, which ensures our association remains strong and poised to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. To see all our sponsors, visit www.ata25.com.