ATA conference heading to cairns

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) will be taking its national conference to Cairns next year, seeing hundreds of industry leaders, operators, suppliers and supporters flock to the regional Queensland city.

ATA CEO Ben Maguire launched registrations for the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2020 conference today (Nov 31). Mr Maguire was joined by CEO of ATA member association the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) Gary Mahon and representatives from conference partners Cairns Convention Centre and Riley Hotel.

“Trucking Australia 2020 is where industry meets. It will connect the trucking industry, engage thought leaders and provide a platform for the development of positive discussion and real solutions to the issues we face,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said.

“Trucking is not just a metropolitan story, it’s a regional story. That is why it is only fitting we have chosen to gather in Cairns, where we will be hosted in world-class facilities while surrounded by the lifeblood of the trucking industry,” he said.

“2020 will be a significant year for trucking as we anticipate the continued development of revised national truck laws: legislation that will last decades and affect everyone in the industry. Now is the time to make your voice heard,” Mr Maguire said.

Related reading:
ATA: Defect inconsistencies must be addressed
More funding for NT blackspots: ATA
Advanced emergency braking would save lives: ATA

Mr Maguire said the conference will have a significant positive economic impact for Cairns, bringing more than $2 million to the region.

“Not only will Trucking Australia 2020 have direct benefit to the local economy, it’s a great chance to showcase the region and promote tourism to the area,” he said.

Trucking Australia 2020 follows the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2019 conference in Perth, where more than 480 delegates participated.

Federal Member for Leichardt, Warren Entsch, has welcomed the conference to Cairns and emphasised the importance of the trucking industry to Australia’s way of life.

“We all know the trucking industry is the lifeblood of regional Australia. Without it, Australia would grind to a halt,” Mr Entsch said.

The Trucking Australia 2020 program will be developed in collaboration with local industry members, as well as the QTA.

“Trucking Australia 2020 will be a great opportunity to bring the road freight industry together in Queensland and focus on encouraging more innovation and efficiency in our industry,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon said.

“A feature of the conference will be our Smart Business Seminars – practical sessions designed to enable business to operate more efficiently, productively and profitably.

“We encourage our members to attend and be involved in setting the direction for not only their own businesses, but the long-term future of our industry,” he said.

The ATA will be offering an all-inclusive package for delegates, which includes full conference registration, accommodation, discounted airfares and more.

“We want to give every member of the trucking industry the opportunity to join us, and we want to make this as easy as possible for people to get here,” Mr Maguire said.

Trucking Australia 2020 will be held in Cairns from April 1 to 3, 2020.

For more information or to take advantage of the limited Trucking Australia Mega Deal, click here.