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Thurs Nov 15
Fri Nov 16
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Thursday, Nov 15

Opening Kick-off Breakfast
>> 7:45 am to 9:15 am

Ray Kuntz, Chairman, American Trucking Associations

Currently, Mr. Ray Kuntz serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of Watkins and Shepard Trucking Company located in Helena, Montana. In this capacity, he is responsible for the overall business operations of the company, providing directions for daily operations to include marketing, sales and budgeting as well as policy administration. Mr. Kuntz began his association with Watkins and Shepard Trucking in 1986.

In 2000, Mr. Kuntz began his active involvement with the American Trucking Associations, Inc. Since joining ATA, he has served on and chaired several of the association's public policy committees. Most recently, Mr. Kuntz was appointed by ATA's Chairman to direct the association's efforts at addressing issues like the critical truck driver shortage.
Ray Kuntz

The Smartway of Going Green — From a Carrier & Shipper Perspective (Two Parts)
>> 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Everyone is talking about the environment these days. For fleets the environment has posed new challenges and costs. However some fleets have become environmental leaders and have improved their bottom-line at the same time.

Part I - Come listen to management personnel from Bison Transport Inc., J.D. Smith and Sons Limited, Jeff Bryan Transport, L.E. Walker Transport and Schneider Canada. The carriers will be discussing various systems/technologies/equipment they have deployed to improve their fleet fuel efficiency and explain management issues in implementation from a fleet and human resource perspective.

Among the technologies to be discussed will include: automatic transmissions; APUs, in-cab heaters, speed limiters, smart cruise; driver monitoring programs, and other vehicle on-board equipment. Improvements to warehouse operations will also be discussed including: electric light retrofits; white roof replacements and building automation systems.

Part II - The second part of this session will feature shippers who belong to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Smartway Partnership. These shippers use freight carriers that are going green. Come listen to speakers from Owens Corning, Sharp Electronics and IKEA. The shippers will discuss why they have joined Smartway and how they use environmental levers to select carriers.

Representatives from the EPA Smartway Partnership Program and Natural Resources Canada will participate in the session as well.

What’s New At The Border
>> 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Come listen to the various stakeholders at the border to discuss what's new and upcoming at the border. This session will involve an update of the issues impacting carriers and steps carriers can implement to stay ahead of customs, compliance and border crossing challenges.

Implementing An Effective Claims Response Protocol
>> 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Losses and claims are inevitable in a high-risk profession like trucking. But did you know that if your insurance company covers the $25,000 cost of a claim, this could ultimately cost your business more than a million dollars in direct and indirect costs?

Implementing an effective claims response protocol helps protect your business in the event of a claim.

Will Mandau, Vice President, Claims, Markel Insurance Company of Canada, will be presenting and answering questions from the audience.

Volvo Luncheon
>> 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Bob McKenzie
Hockey Analyst TSN

To Canadians, he's known simply as the TSN Hockey Insider.

Bob McKenzie provides insight and commentary as an analyst for TSN's national NHL coverage. McKenzie also continues to file updates and breaking news for SportsCentre, as well as writing his popular Hockey Insider feature on TSN.ca, Canada's leading sports website.

McKenzie has been covering hockey for the past 26 years and is one of the most respected analysts in the business. His unparalleled contacts in the hockey world, combined with an abundance of hockey knowledge and a genuine love for the game, make McKenzie the most well-informed, trusted and connected man in the business.

Bob Mckenzie

Wall Street Outlook for Trucking
>> 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
Join John Larkin, Managing Director Transportation, Stifle, Nicholaus & Company Inc., one of North America’s key industry analysts, for an update on how the markets view prospects for the trucking industry 2007. John will share his insights on what he sees as the major trends and issues facing the LTL and TL markets for 2008.

 
John Larkin
North American Truck Safety Regulatory Initiatives
>> 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
What does the future hold for truck safety policy and regulation and where is on-road enforcement going? Come listen to senior representatives from Transport Canada, US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discuss their thoughts.

Economic Forces Impacting My Customers
>> 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
The country’s major shipper associations will give their insights into the factors that will shape their members demand for transportation services in 2008.

Representatives from Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association; Association of International Automobile Manufacturers’ of Canada; Canadian Industrial Transportation Association; Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters will be participating in this session.

The View of Truck Safety from the On-Road Enforcement Community
>> 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
This session will inform carriers on how on-road enforcement personnel view the current state of truck safety in Ontario. Hear first hand the issues that are of importance to road safety and commercial vehicles from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Provincial Police, SRC-SAAQ, Michigan State Police and New York State Police.

Chairman's Reception
>> 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
 
Comedy Festival
>> 8:15 pm to 10:00 pm
Dave Hemstad has skyrocketed to the top of the Canadian scene since starting his comedy career four short years ago. Since leaving Southwest Missouri State University, where he attended on a golf scholarship, Dave has captivated audiences worldwide with his clean and refreshing take on daily life and the frustrations of the modern world.

An equally strong character performer, his creations Cheetah Forrest and Billy Bob Joe Taylor show a comedic range that few can touch. “A comedic chameleon”, he’s performed for everyone from the President of Singapore, to the Presidents of Corporate North America and has headlined comedy clubs across the country with tremendous success.


Ron James is hailed by critics from coast to coast, RON JAMES is Canada’s #1 selling comedian, who’s ninety minute, laugh a second, physically driven performances, have consistently sold out theatres coast to coast. Keeping a comedian’s eye trained for satire and a poet’s ear tuned for language, James cuts a wide swath clear cross Canadian culture, making him a stand-out among stand-up performers.

James has written and starred in four network comedy specials, including ‘The Road Between My Ears’ (‘…utterly brilliant’, Ottawa Sun); ‘Quest for the West’ (‘…a virtuoso comedic performance’, Globe and Mail) and ‘West Coast Wild’ (‘…hilarious…devastatingly funny and clever’, Globe and Mail). For two seasons he starred in a nationally televised sitcom of his own creation, ‘Blackfly’, he’s been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Genie Awards, won a Gemini Award as part of the writing team for, This Hour Has 22 Minutes’ and been voted Canadian Comedian of the Year.
Dave Hemstad
Comedic Entertainer & Host
Ron James
Comedian and Satirist