The Technology and Maintenance Council's 2006 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, held earlier this month, concentrated heavily on 2007 engines and related issues.

In addition, TMC celebrated its 50th anniversary as North America's technical organization for trucking.
Highlights included three sessions on new emission requirements, associated engine technology that introduces diesel particulate filters, and underhood heat issues. Special speakers at TMC's Town Meeting observing TMC's anniversary included Gov. Bill Graves, American Trucking Associations' president and CEO, Paul Vikner, Mack Truck's president and CEO, and Steve Homcha, Mack Truck's executive vice president for Class 8 products.
More than 2,900 attendees were on hand for the meeting, as well as TMC's Transportation Technology Exhibition, North America's first major transportation equipment show of the year. The exhibit featured more than 300 exhibitors in the 200,000-square-foot convention hall of the Tampa Convention Center. More than 95 TMC Task Forces met during the week to create Recommended Practices for equipment maintenance, information technology and logistics segments of the transportation industry.
Jim Winsor, executive editor for Heavy Duty Trucking and long-time supporter and advocate for TMC, was awarded the Gerri Murphy Membership Award. The award was established in honor of Gerri Murphy (1935-1997), TMC's long-time director of member services. Winsor is the third recipient of the award. Murrey Alderfer first received the award in 2001 and Darrell Hicks received the award in 2003
TMC also honored David Hammes, senior manager of sales and marketing for Waltco Truck Equipment Co., and Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, national service manager for ArvinMeritor for their distinguished careers in the commercial vehicle industry and many contributions to the Council.
Carolyn Peck, purchasing manager for Waste Industries, Raleigh, N.C., was the grand prize winner for a fleet-attendee drawing at the Transportation Technology Exhibition, receiving an all-expense-paid trip for two to the 2007 Daytona 500.
TMC will hold its 2006 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition Sept. 18-21 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. The competition is being organized by TMC's Professional Technical Development Committee (PTDC), which was formed in 2004.
For more information on PTDC, the technician skills competition or opportunities for corporate sponsorship, contact TMC at (703) 838-1763 or visit TMC's website at http://tmc.truckline.com.