"Vehicle Integration Challenges" is the theme of the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2006 Fall Meeting, to be held Sept. 18-21 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas.

TMC's regular business meeting will be held Sept. 18-21 while the second annual National Technician Skills Competition, TMCSuperTech2006, will be held Sept. 18-20.
Full technical sessions will include "Vehicle Integration Challenges: Putting the Engine in a Box;" and "Effective Employee Recruitment and Retention Strategies."
Mini-technical sessions for equipment and maintenance professionals will include: "Best Practices for Performing an Electrical System Pilot Review;" "New TMC Wheel and Rim Refinishing Recommendations;" “New Guidelines for Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel and Filtration;" “Vehicle and Load Security: How Fleets Can Prevent Theft and Contamination;" “2007 - Is Your Maintenance Operation Ready?" “How NHTSA's New Stopping Distance Requirements Will Impact Fleets;" "Managing Trailer Stability Challenges;" “Possible Approaches for Standardizing EOBR Systems;" "An Update on Heavy-Duty Event Data Recorders;" "Liftgate Design, Specification and Maintenance for Light-Duty Vehicles;" and "How 2007 Emissions Will Impact on Body and Chassis Upfitters."
Task Force meetings, followed by Fleet Talk, General Associates Meeting, Town Meeting/Fleet Operators' Forum, will be held on Monday, Sept. 18.
TMCSuperTech2006, directed by the Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC) will also officially begin on Monday with orientation followed by the qualifying written exam. The Hands-On Skills Challenge will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The registration deadline to compete in TMCSuperTech2006 has been extended to Aug. 31.
PTDC will hold a Technician Training Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in conjunction with TMCSuperTech2006. Sessions include: "Basic Electrical/Electronics;" "ABS Troubleshooting Guidelines;" "Wheel End Maintenance and Installation;" "Steering/Suspension Maintenance and Inspection;" "Preventive Maintenance Basics;" "Driveline Diagnostics;" and "Tire and Wheel Inspection and Maintenance." Each session will be held twice.
The featured speaker for TMC's Industry Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 19, will be G.S. Gauger, director of on-highway power systems for Caterpillar Inc. Gauger will offer his perspective on what the industry should expect for 2007 engine introductions and beyond.
TMC's Annual Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, will honor 2006 recipients of the Silver Spark Plug, TMC's highest honor, and recognize the grand champion and second- and third-place winners of TMCSuperTech2006. The grand champion will receive an expense-paid trip of his choice to the 2007 Daytona 500, Super Bowl or other equivalent package, plus other prizes, including a Snap-On tool chest. Top performers from each of TMCSuperTech2006 skill stations will also be recognized.
TMC 2006 Fall Meeting registration on or before Aug. 30 is $295 for members; $395 for nonmembers. After Aug. 30, registration is $395 for members and $495 for nonmembers. A spouse program is available for $200. TMCSuperTech2006 attendance is free for TMC Technician members and fully registered attendees; nonmembers can register for the skills contest for $100, which includes TMC Technician membership for 2006.
For more information, call (703) 838-1763.