With a theme of "Insight: The Future of the Global Commercial Vehicle Industry," this year's annual Heavy Duty Dialogue '08, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, has moved to the Danny Gans Theatre at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

"With our pre-registrations nearly double the pace of 2007 numbers, we have made arrangements with The Mirage to move the program to the Danny Gans Theatre," said Dennis Kline, ArvinMeritor and board chairman of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). "The comfortable Gans Theatre seating provides a great view of the stage, no matter where you are seated."
As a result of the additional seating capacity, the early bird registration rate has been extended through Saturday, Dec. 15. "This year's program is one of the most compelling that we have presented in the 20 year history of the HD Dialogue series and interest is very strong. With this change we have additional seating capacity to accommodate a much larger audience, and can avoid a registration cut-off," Kline added.
Topics and speakers at this exceptional business conference include:

• Thomas P.M. Barnett, Ph.D., a noted author, consultant, strategist and partner with Enterra Solutions - "The Global Strategic Market"
• Martin Regalia, Ph.D., vice president and chief economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce - "Economic Forecast and Trends"
• Barb Murphy, president, Weyforth-Haas Marketing, moderator of the panel discussion "Global Branding Trends, Challenges and Possible Solutions," featuring Mike Brown of YRC WW; Walt Delevich of SKF; and John Beering of Eaton Corp.
• Dee Kapur, president of International Truck - Keynote Luncheon Address
• Nicole Nason, administrator, NHTSA (invited) - NHTSA and Vehicle Safety Related Products: "How is the Industry Doing?"
• The Commercial Vehicle Industry Outlook: "What Will Drive the Business in the Future?" - panel discussion of the drivers of the five-year forecast for the heavy duty industry featuring Jim Mele, Fleet Owner magazine; Wendy Leavitt, Fleet Owner magazine; Stu MacKay of MacKay and Co.; Kenny Vieth of ACT Research; Martin Labbe of ML Labbe and Associates; and Chris Brady of CMVC
• Derek Kaufman, president and CEO of C3 Network - "The Future of Industry and an Overview of HD Dialogue '08"

Industry supporting sponsors include Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine, Weyforth-Haas Marketing, Fleet Owner Magazine, Citation Corporation, PRTM Consultants and Transport Topics Publishing.
Organized by the board of directors of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), HD Dialogue '08 will continue the event's tradition of offering a stellar line-up of analysts and industry leaders forecasting the future of the global commercial vehicle industry.
More details on the conference can be found at www.hdma.org.
The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has served the strategic needs of its 172 member companies and the commercial vehicle industry since 1983. A market segment association of the Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), HDMA's mission is to be the industry's primary advocate for the members of the commercial vehicle supplier community.
MEMA (www.mema.org represents more than 700 motor vehicle product manufacturers with nearly 12,000 U.S. plant locations and 1.2 million workers. Together, these companies keep the U.S. automotive and truck industry supplied with the components that enable it to produce some 17 million vehicles annually and keep the 232 million vehicles on the road with replacement products and services.
MEMA supports its members through its three market segment associations: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).