The Women In Trucking Association's (WIT) in-person Accelerate! Conference & Expo, held on Nov. 7-9 in Dallas, featured more than 40 educational sessions focusing on leadership, professional development, talent management, operations, and sales and marketing, along with perspectives of women in the industry. In-person registration for the conference surpassed 800 attendees on Nov. 7.
Women In Trucking's 2021 Accelerate Conference [Photos]
HDT Managing Editor Vesna Brajkovic poses next to Freightliner's Cascadia Sleeper.
Photo: HDT
Motivational speaker Lisa Orrell's opening keynote educated the audience how to create and manange a personal brand to promote career success.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Attendees mingle as the expo officially opened.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Attendees met with exhibitors.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Author and expert in deception detection Traci Brown shared nine signs that someone is lying, and how to uncover the truth.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Kellylynn McLaughlin will haul the trailer around the country to promote trucking as a career.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Kellylynn McLaughlin shows Ellen Voie the features of the trailer's interactive displays.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Conference attendees were able to learn from the experts onsite and ask questions on products. (Pictured: Peterbilt's Phase 1 597EV battery-electric truck, which was operated in various applications in California, South Carolina and Texas.)
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Members of Waymo Via's operations team were on hand to share more on how the technology works and answer any questions on Waymo Via.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
(Left to right) Joanna Buttler of DTNA, Frances Guo of Waymo, Brenda Mejia of Gatik and Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli discussed autonomous truck technology during a conference session.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
(Left to right) Ryan McDaniel of Walmart, Laon Mansy of Clean Harbors, Shanay Lewis of XPO Logistics, and Mauryo Jones of Ryder Systems discuss how to build a corporate culture that promote longevity for women in the workplace.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Lily Ley, Paccar VP and CIO, was named WIT's 2021 Influential Woman in Trucking.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Clean Harbors, which employs over 2,000 women drivers, was an exhibitor.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
WIT Founder, President and CEO Ellen Voie opened the conference by sharing insights into the importance of gender diversity in the trucking industry. The assosication has 6,000 members in 10 countries.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Women In Trucking's Accelerate Conference surpassed 800 attendees on Nov. 7.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
The conference was held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Attendees were encouraged to participate in "photo networking" by taking photos at least 25 booths.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Attendees participating in the photo networking sent their photos in and were entered into a chance to win prizes at the end of the conference.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
The expo segment of the conference featured over 70 exihbitors.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
The Women in Trucking Foundation promoted its efforts to support students, drivers and professionals pursuring education opportunities.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
WIT named Nikki Weaver, company driver for FedEx Freight, the 2021 Driver of the Year.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
The local Dallas Fox News outlet covered the unveiling of the association's Driver Ambassador Trailer.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
The WITney Driver Ambassador Trailer is equipped with informational interactive displays.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Waymo Via featured their Class 8 truck powered by the fifth generation Waymo Driver.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Outside the conference hall, new trucks and related technologies were lined up on the street.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
Eventually, a driving simulator will also be installed in the trailer.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
International featured the 2022 LT 6x4 Sleeper Tractor with Cummins X15 diesel engine and Eaton Endurant 12-speed automated manual transmission.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic