All Bets On Trucking State trucking industry gathers at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino for Alabama Trucking Association’s annual meeting and convention. BILOXI, Miss. early 300 trucking executives, industry officials and guests converged here April 25-28 for the Alabama Trucking Association’s 74th Annual Convention and Meeting. With a solid mix of speakers, events and presentations, the 283 attendees were exposed to in-depth discussions of trucking’s future as a major player in the state and nation’s economies, as well as the Association’s role in the state political arena and beyond. Impressively, the event raised a record $160,000, with 148 companies donating cash, and even more sending representatives to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. According to Convention Chairman Jack Brim of B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc., the event surpassed all expectations. “We are very grateful to the member firms that stepped up to support our meeting,” he said. “Member survey results collected after the event were favorable, and everyone I spoke with about it was pleased. I’m grate-
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ful to my Finance Committee; the many sponsors; attendees; and our Chairman Bill Ward for making the event a success.” According to ATA President & CEO Frank Filgo, the only downside was that attendance was still below pre-recession numbers, which saw attendance exceed 350 in 2008. “Considering the current state of the
industry, we’re very pleased with attendance,” he said. “We had a tremendous response to our programs this year. Mark Tillman’s presentation was fascinating and very well received. Likewise, the discussion panel with the Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate Pro Temp Del Marsh was also well attended.” Filgo commended Convention Chairman Brim and committee for their fundraising efforts. That committee was composed of Fenn Church of Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc.; Gary Bond of BancorpSouth Equipment Finance; Leigh Breal, Ward International Trucks, LLC; Mark Coffman, Coffman International, Inc.; Russ Elrod, Arab Cartage & Express Co., Inc.; Scott Fendley, Massey Hauling Co., Inc.; Cheney Haugabook, Turner & Hamrick L.L.C.; Kevin Savoy, Greenbush Logistics, Inc.; David Turner, Four Star Freightliner; Wayne Watkins, Watkins Trucking Co., Inc.; Skip Williams, Houndstooth Transportation; and T. J. Willings, Continued on page 14 A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2012