After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition took place in Nashville, Tennessee, in late October. The driver shortage, truck electrification, autonomous technologies, and the supply chain crisis were among the topics of discussion and on display.
Scenes from ATA's 2021 Management Conference [Photos]
Solera is a new name to the show floor, having bought Omnitracs earlier this year.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Hexagon Agility displayed natural gas transportation solutions.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Isaac Instruments, which is expanding its presence in the U.S. with its electronic logging device, had a very visible booth.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Kenworth featured its T680 Next Gen 76-inch Sleeper.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Kenworth's K270E Battery Electric Vehicle, shown, was also joined by a T280 Box Van.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Mack emphasized the fuel-saving, aerodynamic features of its on-highway Anthem model.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Navistar highlighted the latest generation of its International A26 engine, now allowing fleets to achieve 10% improved fuel economy since the engine’s initial launch.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Navistar's International LT Series.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Yellow CEO Darren Hawkins, left, led a discussion with young leaders, from left, Brandon Bibbs of U.S. Xpress, Lina Dejongh of Trimac, Amber Edmondson with Trailiner, and Ben Banks of TCW.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Exosent's unusual trailer features a low center of gravity to help prevent rollovers.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear talked about what the trucking industry is up against, including an overbearing vaccine mandate, "trial lawyers, big union bosses, and environmental extremists."
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
ATA chief Chris Spear had a chat with Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the first Black man and second person of color to lead the agency.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
This Trucking Moves America Forward-wrapped trailer pulled by Cargo Transporters greeted attendees at the entrance to the exhibit hall.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
TuSimple's booth was right next door to Navistar's. The two are working to have autonomous trucks on the road in 2024.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
This Model 536 van body configuration represented Peterbilt’s new medium-duty trucks.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Peterbilt displayed the battery-electric Model 579EV. Also at the booth was the new Model 579 UltraLoft.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Ride-and-drives in a truck equipped with the autonomous-tech PlusDrive system were fully booked.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Netradyne's booth-size screen showed real videos and data captured by its AI-driven camera safety system.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Bon Jovi was the entertainment at the Daimler Trucks North America customer appreciation event.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Volvo Trucks North America showcased the shift toward more efficient and sustainable transport solutions, including a pristine truck from the VN model’s introduction in 1996.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
Volvo's VNR Electric 4x2 tractor on display offers 455 hp and 4,051 lb.-ft. of torque.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge
A free shoeshine also included shoe repair.
Photo: Deborah Lockridge