Countdown to NatRoad conference

The peak representative body for Australia's road freight operators, the National Road Transport Association, will be hosting its annual conference in Brisbane over August 13 to 15, 2015.

With the overarching theme of 'Public Perception vs Reality in the Heavy Vehicle Industry', the conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and will see delegates brought up to date on a variety of pertinent issues.

The legendary Max Walker will return as master of ceremonies for the event, which will see a variety of senior industry stakeholders come together to discuss issues ranging from policy and regulation to safety and business management, among others.

Of particular interest will be the industry updates from the CEO of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Sal Petroccitto, and from the CEO of the National Transport Commission, Paul Retter, while delegate forums will cover the fields of liquid and dry bulk carriers, over-dimensional and dangerous goods carriers, refrigerated carriers, container and general goods carriers, and heavy recovery vehicles.

Of course, a range of social functions will also be held, allowing delegates to catch up with old mates, forge new friendships, and make the most of the numerous networking opportunities the conference presents. Highlights include the Cummins and PACCAR & PACCAR Dealers Gala Dinner (pictured), the Transport Super Breakfast, and the MaxiTRANS & Thermo King Auction Dinner.

The winners of the annual NatRoad Awards will be announced at the National Transport Insurance NatRoads Awards 2015 Luncheon, to be held on the Friday.

The full program for the NatRoad 2015 Annual Conference is as follows:

Thursday, August 13
5:30pm – 6:30pm, Registration desk open
6:30pm – 8:00pm, Welcome reception, Exhibition Hall

Friday, August 14
7:45am – 4:00pm, Registration desk open
7.45am – 8.45am, BP Australia Breakfast
8.45am – 9.15am, Exhibition viewing
9:15am – 9:30am, Welcome address, NatRoad President
9:30am – 9:45am, Official opening and Government keynote
9:45am – 10:05am, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator update – Chief Executive NHVR, Sal Petrocitto
10:05am – 10.25am, National Transport Commission policy update – CEO NTC, Paul Retter
10.25am – 10.55am, Morning tea
10.55am – 11.50am, Perception vs Reality: Industry Safety Record – Owen Driscoll (NTI), Anne Delaney (ABC Radio National), Geoff Crouch (Ron Crouch Transport)
11.50am – 12.30pm, Practical advice on running your business (contract negotiation, surviving in a competitive industry, ‘business etiquette’ – how should you present / conduct yourself) – Ingilby Dickson (Bluescope Steel), Chris Brooks (Woolworths)
12:30pm – 1.25pm, National Transport Insurance NatRoad Awards 2015 Luncheon
1.25pm – 2.35pm, Delegate forums (concurrent sessions): Refrigerated Carriers/Container and General Goods Carriers/Heavy Recovery Vehicles
2.35pm – 3.45pm, Delegate Forums (concurrent sessions): Liquid and Dry Bulk Carriers/Over-Dimensional and Dangerous Goods Carriers/Youth
3.45pm – 4.15pm, Afternoon tea
4.15pm – 5.00pm, Invited Keynote Speaker – Paul De Gelder: 'Improvise, adapt, overcome'
6:30pm – 7:30pm, Austbrokers AEI Insurance Happy Hour
7:30pm – 11:00pm, MaxiTRANS & Thermo King Auction Dinner

Saturday, 15st August 2015
8:30am – 4:00pm, Registration desk opens
7.45am – 8.45am, Transport Super Breakfast
8:45am – 9.15am, Exhibition viewing
9.15am – 9.55am, Industrial Relations Update – Arthur Spottiswood (National Road Transport Association) and Brent Ferguson (AiGroup)
9.55am – 10.40am, Invited Keynote
10.40am – 11.10am, Morning tea
11.10am – 12.10pm, Chain of Responsibility Update – Cooper Grace Ward, Gillian Bristow, Special Counsel
12.10pm – 12.40pm, National Road Transport Association Annual General Meeting
12.40pm – 1.40pm, Lunch
1.40pm – 2.30pm, 'Industry Success Story'
2.30pm – 3.00pm, Afternoon tea
3.00pm – 4.45pm, NatRoad Parliament
4.45pm – 5.00pm, NatRoad CEO's Closing Address
6.30pm – 7.30pm, MT Data Happy Hour
7:30pm – 11:00pm, Cummins and PACCAR & PACCAR Dealers Gala Dinner

Registration is still open for NatRoad's 2015 Annual Conference. Member registration is $475 per delegate while non-member registration is $625 per delegate. Discounted accommodation packages at Rydges Southbank are also available.

To register, or for more information on the NatRoad 2015 Annual Conference, visit www.natroad.com.au/conference.