Trucking Australia opens

Trucking Australia 2015 gets underway in Hobart this evening (March 19), with the Australian Trucking Association's annual conference set to bring delegates up to date on the industry's most pressing issues while gaining operator input to help the body formulate its advocacy program for the year ahead.

Held across three venues located at Hobart's historic maritime precinct, Constitution Dock, it's difficult to miss the ATA's Volvo Safety Truck parked on the forecourt of the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

This year's conference program will begin with the ATA Auction, which will see a variety of equipment including a Volvo prime mover and a CIMC B-double set go under the hammer to help raise funds for the ATA's war chest.

Addresses from Sal Petroccitto, CEO of the NHVR, and Paul Retter, CEO of the National Transport Commission, will bring delegates up to speed on a range of on-going and future regulatory and policy reforms, while a variety of sessions will focus on subjects ranging from safety and business management, to attracting newcomers to the industry and tips on coping with a hypothetical threat to our national fuel supply.

Of course, the conference will culminate in the ATA 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, which will also see the presentation of the keenly anticipated 2015 National Trucking Industry Awards.

It will surely be a poignant evening for the CEO of the ATA, Stuart St Clair, who will formally step down from his role after nine years at the helm, before handing the reins to incoming CEO, Chris Melham.

trucksales.com.au is here in Hobart and will bring you more stories relating to the Trucking Australia program as they unfold.