ATA announces 2018 Convention speakers, entertainment lineup
The Alabama Trucking Association has announced its speakers and entertainment for its 80th Annual Convention & Meeting set for April 26, 27 and 28 at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
This year’s lineup includes two nationally known speakers, Steve Gilliland and Commander Rorke Denver, who will give presentations on Friday, April 27 on maximizing potential with business and person leadership skills. These programs are aimed to give attendees a better understanding of the art and nuance of overcoming obstacles in our lives to consistently achieve success.
Mr. Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in the world. Recognized as a master storyteller and brilliant comedian, he can be heard daily on SiriusXM Radio’s Laugh USA. With an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture and occupation — plus an interactive and entertaining style — Mr. Gilliland shows audiences how to open doors to success in their careers, their relationships and their lives. Presenting to more than 250,000 people a year, more than two million have now heard him speak, with audiences encompassing nearly three dozen industries. Steve has the distinction of speaking in all 50 states and in 15 countries. As one newspaper stated, “Steve is what happens when the humor of a stand-up comic collides with the inspiration of motivational speaker.
Mr. Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led special-forces missions in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other international hot spots. He starred in the hit film Act of Valor, which is based on true SEAL adventures. His New York Times bestseller, Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior, takes you inside his personal story and the fascinating, demanding SEAL training program he now oversees. In his second book Worth Dying For: A Navy SEALs Call to a Nation, which was released in April 2016, Rorke tackles the questions that have emerged about America’s past decade at war–from what makes a hero to why we fight and what it does to us. Rorke was most recently seen on FOX’s American Grit. The series followed 16 of the country’s toughest men and women as they face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges set in the wilderness.
On Saturday April 28, current American Trucking Associations Chairman of the Board Dave Manning will deliver his assessment of the industry’s potential and projected outlook for the next 12-18 months. Armed with some of the most comprehensive industry indicators and statistics, Mr. Manning’s presentation will be the most important programs of this year’s meeting. You will not want to miss this presentation.
Chairman Manning is president of TCW based in Nashville. TCW was founded in 1948 as a small family-owned warehousing business serving the finished tobacco industry. After joining TCW in 1985, Dave was instrumental in leading the growth of the company from a single terminal to a diversified transportation enterprise with more than 600 employees and revenue of $80 million. Today TCW offers a network of diversified transportation services throughout the southeast. Services include intermodal operations, consolidation and distribution, dedicated transportation, specialized transportation, and warehousing. TCW is still family owned and operated by the third generation of the George family. Dave has served in many roles in the Tennessee Trucking Association, the American Trucking Association, and the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). He currently serves as Chairman of ATA, co-chair of the Truck Pac for TTA, and as the Treasurer of IANA. He also has served for more than a decade as a member on the nine-member Committee which administers the Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement; the standard interchange agreement for the intermodal industry. Dave serves as the Chairman and President of the newly formed North American Chassis Pool Cooperative.
Later that evening, the Association will hold a dinner honoring current ATA Chairman of the Board Terry Kilpatrick of Billy Barnes Transportation. Who has lead this Association for the pat year with integrity and vision. His term as Chairman has been among the most successful in recent years.
Capping the event will be an introduction of the Alabama Professional Driver of the Year and ATA’s highest award for a member, the H. Chester Webb Award. Afterwards, the Birmingham-based band Chevy 6 will perform.
To register visit as an attendee or to sponsor the event, please visit https://www.alabamatrucking.org/events/annual-convention/ for more information.
Lastly, hotel reservations are made directly with The Hilton reservations office at 850-267-9500 or your room can be reserved online here. If you call in your reservations, be sure to identify your affiliation with the Alabama Trucking Association Convention to receive the special group rate of $279 for a standard room, plus fees and taxes (Upgrades are available upon request). Availability is on a first come, first served basis. Please note: ATA staff cannot assist with lodging reservations.
