The Truckload Carriers Association is sponsoring an audio conference from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 17, forecasting economic trends for the new year. The bottom line: The tougher it is to be a trucker today,
the easier it will be to be a trucker tomorrow. In order to enjoy tomorrow's fruits, truckers will have to endure the first half of 2008. With rising gas and diesel prices setting the stage for economy/freight volumes to remain weak into early 2008, the question is, when will freight and profits improve?
Eric Starks, President, FTR Associates, will talk about:
· General economic trends and the impact to the freight economy
· What the freight environment looks like currently
· The disconnect between the traditional economic indicators that impact trucking versus current freight conditions
· What freight demand is expected to look like over the next few quarters and what type of freight will be impacted the most
· The outlook for equipment capacity and pricing

Kenneth Wm. Vieth III, Partner, A.C.T. Research Co., will discuss:
· The impact of oil, gasoline and diesel prices on consumers and freight - and trucker profits.
· Why, even though mileage is off and dead-head miles are up, trucker profits are relatively strong
· Why, even though mileage is off and there is excess capacity, used truck values have held up relatively well
· PA 2010 and the potential for a Class 8 pre-buy in 2009
· The relationship between trucker profits and new equipment demand. Is it time to order?
For more information and to register on-line, visit www.truckload.org/tla/index.shtml.