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Kissimmee
Members, prospects and guests of the Truckload Carriers
Association basked in the warm air and sunshine in
Kissimmee, Florida, March 24-27 at the 80th Annual TCA
Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort.
After receptions, board and committee meetings and
the opening of the exhibit hall on Saturday and Sunday, the
formal program began Monday morning with a keynote address
by Ari Fleischer, press secretary for President George
W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. Now a political commentator
for FOX News, he assessed the current state of American
politics in general and the Donald Trump presidency in particular.
In the same session outgoing TCA Chairman Rob
Penner spoke about how the association has become a
louder, more unified voice in the trucking industry and its
members have become more active and engaged in TCA
affairs.
Monday night, guests at the Fifth Annual Scholarship
Gala raised $173,075 for the fund using the theme of “Hot
Havana Nights.”
Tuesday morning, incoming Chairman Dan Doran noted
that the maturation of the association is evolving at a rapid
pace and President John Lyboldt said over the last two
years, TCA has doubled down on building the membership
value proposition, elevating its presence in Washington
and positively impacting the membership and the trucking
industry. In addition, there was a panel discussion around
the topic, “Building Your Company for The Future: Are You
the Right Size?”
Tuesday evening, the annual awards banquet featured
the presentation of Drivers of the Year and National Fleet
Safety awards. To top off the evening, comedian Brad Upton
kept the audience laughing.
(1.) The 12-piece ensemble, Gloria’s Miami Sound,
was the main entertainment at Monday evening’s Fifth
Annual Scholarship Fund Gala. This sizzling tribute
band traveled from New York City to perform at both
the beginning and end of the Gala.
(2.) Monday’s general session offered an informative
panel “Safety as a Core Value.” Special thanks to
(pictured from left) Wendell Erb, president & CEO of
Erb International, Inc.; Greer Woodruff, senior vice
president, safety, security and driver personnel at J.
B. Hunt; and moderator Brian Fielkow, CEO of Jetco
Delivery.
(3, 5, 7.) Attendees mingle during Monday evening’s
reception hosted by Freightliner. The reception
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was held prior to TCA’s Fifth Annual
Scholarship Fund Gala.
(4.) TCA’S Outgoing Chairman Rob
Penner; FMCSA’s Ray Martinez; TCA
President John Lyboldt; and TCA’s Incoming
Chairman Dan Doran.
(6.) TCA’s Ambassador Club members
were recognized during Saturday’s
Kickoff Reception. Those member com-
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40 TRUCKLOAD AUTHORITY | www.Truckload.org TCA 2018