The annual convention of the Ontario Trucking Association took place November 11 & 12, 2004 at the Toronto Congress Centre. The two day convention, the largest of its kind in Canada, is the place where industry leaders meet to discuss important industry issues and listen to speakers never before brought together under one roof. See below for highlights.

Opening Kick-Off Breakfast - U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci, was keynote speaker at the Thursday Breakfast. He spoke about the current situation at the border and the future of Canada-U.S. relations. Ambassador Cellucci (L) is seen here with OTA Chairman George P. Ledson (Cavalier Transportation).	Opening Kick-Off Breakfast - A Boston Red Sox fan, Ambassador Cellucci (left) is presented with a special gift of thanks from OTA President David Bradley following his address to convention delegates.
Opening Kick-Off Breakfast - The OTA convention opened on Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. To honour the brave men and women who gave their lives in two world wars to keep Canada and the world free, OTA made a donation of $10,000 to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Trust (which is raising money to keep the Victoria Cross won by the late Cpl. Fred Topham of Toronto on display in Canada) and $2,500 to the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France commemorating Canada’s sacrifice during WWII. Seen here is Lt. Col. John Fotheringham of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada addressing members about the Corporal Fred Topham Fund.	Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Hero - Truck driver Phil Tarrant of Vedder Transport Ltd. (Abbotsford, BC) received the 2004 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The award is given annually by Bridgestone/Firestone Canada to a Canadian trucker who demonstrates courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of emergency. (L – R): Mr. and Mrs. Weibe of Vedder Transport; Truck Hero Phil Tarrant with his wife Trudy and (far right) Jim West of Bridgestone/Firestone Canada.
Opening Kick-Off Breakfast - Incoming OTA Chairman Scott Smith (left) of J.D. Smith & Sons at headtable with Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar.	Volvo Luncheon - Scott Tilley (The Tandet Group), Chairman of OTA's Membership Development & Retention Committee, introduces members of the committee and spoke about directions the newly energized group will undertake.
Volvo Luncheon - Membership Development Committee: (L–R) Kieran O'Briain (Kee Human Resources), Al Boughton (Trailcon Leasing Inc.) and Brian Ledson (Cavalier Transportation).	Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year - Wayne Dixon (Muskoka Transport Ltd., Bracebridge) who has driven over 3.2 million collision free kilometers during a 40 year professional driving career, was named the OTA/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for 2004. Joan and Wayne Dixon and Peter Currie of Volvo Trucks Canada.
Executive Forum (Outlook for the Industry) - The Convention floor was abuzz as a result of the valuable insight shared by leading trucking executives from both U.S. and Canadian based trucking operations at the Executive Forum. (L-R): Rick Gaetz, President & CEO, Vitran Corporation Inc., Stan Dunford, Chairman & CEO, Contrans Income Fund Inc., and from the U.S. James Staley, President and CEO, Roadway Group Yellow Roadway Corporation and Russell Gerdin, Chairman and CEO, Heartland Express, Inc.	Executive Forum II (The Perfect Storm) - The second half of the Executive Forum focused on “The Perfect Storm” currently facing trucking companies. Rising insurance and fuel costs, combined with a shortage of drivers, new hours of service regulations, increased costs and wait times at the border and the increased value of the Canadian dollar have all combined to create the perfect economic storm which is threatening the very viability of many trucking firms. (L- R): Scott Tilley, Vice President, Operations, The Tandet Group; Rob Penner, Vice President, Bison Transport Inc.; Norm Sneyd, President, Highland Transport; Julie Tanguay, President, L.E. Walker Transport Ltd. ; Daniel Einwechter, President, Challenger Motor Freight; Evan MacKinnon, CEO, MacKinnon Transport Inc.; Wendell Erb, General Manager, Erb Transport Ltd.
Chairman’s Reception – Hundreds attended the always popular chairman’s reception on Thursday evening sponsored by Marsh Canada. Seen here (L-R): Walter Scott, McArthur Express, OTA Chairman George P. Ledson (Cavalier Transportation) and John Slade (Marsh Canada).	Hot Stove Lounge – Loads of sports commentary, insider gossip and rarely heard insight were served up at this popular event. (L-R): Incoming OTA Chairman Scott Smith (J.D.Smith & Sons), The 'Voice of the Leafs' Harry Neale, David Bradley (OTA), Hockey legend Doug Gilmour; and Al Ward (Norris Sylvite).
Freightliner Luncheon - Road Knights laugh it up with Royal Canadian Air Farce entertainer Jessica Holmes. From the left: Road Knights Maryann Geertsema (Kriska Transportation), Randy Burry (L.E. Walker Transport), Jessica Holmes (entertainer), Al Cripps (Lodwick Transportation) and Gerald Billing (MacKinnon Transport).	Freightliner Luncheon - OTA Road Knights received a commemorative plaque embossed with the team’s emblem to mark their two year term of service, 2003 – 2004.
Freightliner Luncheon - John Cyopek (Canpar Transport), OTA Vice Chairman of the Board, addresses OTA members.	Trailmobile Service to Industry Award - Daniel Einwechter, President of Challenger Motor Freight received the highest honour bestowed upon an executive in the Ontario trucking industry. Mr. Einwechter was presented with the 2004 Trailmobile Service to Industry Award for outstanding leadership and service. Mr. Einwechter is seen here with his wife Caroline and the award, a charcoal portrait of the recipient by a renowned local artist. The presentation was made by Bert Clay of Trailmobile Canada.
Cancom Dispatcher of the Year - Darryl Samay, a dispatcher with Provider Transportation & Logistics Inc. in Ayr was named the 2004 Ontario Trucking Association/Cancom Tracking Dispatcher of the Year. The award, sponsored by Cancom Tracking, goes to a dispatcher who has demonstrated a commitment to customer service, safety, driver well being, courtesy, team work, problem solving and community service/volunteer work. From the left: Norm Casarin, president, Provider Transportation, Darryl Samay, Mike Ham of Cancom Tracking and Mr. Samay’s father Larry.	J.O. Goodman Scholarships were presented by the OTA Education Foundation to students of Ontario’s trucking industry who are pursuing post-secondary studies. In addition, two Ontario students facing tough financial challenges as the result of the death or serious injury of a parent are awarded the Bud Barr Scholarship fund to help them pursue their academic goals.
The Technology and Maintenance Conference (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations co-located their Canadian conference for IT, equipment and maintenance professionals with the OTA convention. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is a partner with TMC in presenting the Canadian show. TMC’s Carl Kirk introduces speakers at one of the many top flight sessions.