'Turning Experience Into Practice' Theme for TMC's 2014 Annual Meeting

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Turning Experience Into Practice" is the theme of American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council's 2014 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, to be held March 10-13 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

TMC's Transportation Technology Exhibition, March 10-12, is expected to include more than 300 exhibitors featuring the latest technology to help fleets improve safety and efficiency. Trucking's complete technology trade show will include the latest models of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, specialty and alternative-fueled vehicles, components, safety and information technology and services.

"Each year, the TMC Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition is the premiere event of its kind, bringing together the best technical minds in trucking to review the current state of the industry and drive industry improvements through the development of consensus-based best practices," said TMC Executive Director Carl Kirk.

By attending the full technical session "Fuel Efficiency and Vehicle Emissions Regulations: Now and for the Foreseeable Future," industry professionals will better understand the new joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation standards for carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption for combination tractors, heavy-duty pickup trucks/vans, and vocational vehicles. Panelists for the technical session "The Low Down on Low-Viscosity Engine Oils" will discuss recent fuel efficiency standards and how engine manufacturers are exploring ways to achieve better fuel efficiency through low-viscosity engine oils.

Mini-technical sessions will include:

• New Challenges for Today's Vehicle Charging Systems and Beyond;
• Benchmarking the Success of Your Tire Program;
• The Great Refrigerant Conversion—Round Two: Anticipated A/C Refrigerant Changes;
• Understanding the Reduced Stopping Distance Brake Technology & Resulting Maintenance Issues;
• Understanding How Trailing Equipment Can Improve Overall Fuel Efficiency;
• Right to Repair: Application Access to Service Material and Future of Advanced Diagnostics;
• Fleet Experience and the Future of Hybrid Vehicles; and
• Technician Retention Strategies for Fleets and Service Providers.

More than 100 task forces will meet on Monday, followed by TMC's Town Meeting/Fleet Operators' Forum and the Transportation Technology Exhibition grand opening. Technical sessions will be held Tuesday through Thursday. The lively and popular Shop Talk will be held on Thursday.

Phil Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, will be the featured speaker for Tuesday's Kickoff Breakfast. Byrd is chairman of the board for American Trucking Associations and a two-time past chairman of the South Carolina Trucking Association.

TMC's annual banquet and reception on Wednesday evening will feature the installation of the 2014-2015 general chairman and country music entertainment.

Press conferences will be held on Sunday, March 9, by TMC exhibitor companies.

"Early Bird" registration on or before Feb. 10 is $550 for TMC or ATA members and $650 for nonmembers. After Feb. 10, registration is $650 for TMC or ATA members and $750 for nonmembers. Registration can be made online, by mail or fax. A $50 discount is given for online registration before Feb. 10. An administrative fee of $100 will be charged for onsite registration. A spouse's program for a two-day off-site tour is available for $300.

More information on TMC's 2014 Annual Meeting – including registration, Exhibitor Prospectus, Exhibit Contract, Exhibit Map and Sponsorship Brochure – is available online at http://tmc.trucking.org. Contact TMC at 703-838-1761.

TMC is America's premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals. TMC features a diverse membership of equipment managers, service-dealers, owner-operators, industry suppliers and manufacturers, educators, academia and others that support the trucking industry. TMC member fleets represent the broad range of industry vocations, including truckload, less-than-truckload, municipal, private, on/off-highway, construction and other operations. Find out more about TMC online at http://tmc.trucking.org.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Good stuff. Trucks Bring It!

Technology & Maintenance Council 2014 Annual Meeting
& Transportation Technology Exhibition
March 10-13, 2014
Music City Center
Nashville, Tenn.
http://tmc.trucking.org
703-838-1761

Technology & Maintenance Council 2014 Fall Meeting
& National Technician Skills Competition
September 20-24, 2014
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Orlando, Florida
http://tmc.trucking.org
703-838-1761

Technology & Maintenance Council 2015 Annual Meeting
& Transportation Technology Exhibition
March 16-19, 2015
Music City Center
Nashville, Tenn.
http://tmc.trucking.org
703-838-1761

SOURCE American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council