93rd Annual Conference | Minnesota Trucking Association

MINNESOTA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION'S
93rd Annual
Conference

July 29-31 I Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center-Alexandria, MN

Don't miss out on our biggest event of the year! This 3-day conference offers premier keynotes by national speakers, topical and timely educational workshop sessions that impact your day-to-day trucking operations, and plenty of time to network and have fun with other leaders in the trucking industry.

Conference Information

Sessions

Networking Opportunities

Sponsorships/ Exhibit

Presented by:

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Accommodations

Call 320-762-1124 and leave a message for Danielle.

There are some rooms available.

Mention MN Trucking Association Room Block

Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center.

2100 Arrowwood Lane, Alexandria, MN 56308.

Alternative Hotel Options

Lake Darling Resort

Lake Carlos Bay Resort

Geneva Beach Resort

Hampton Inn & Suites

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Best Western

conference
details

conference pricing

member full conference -- $499
spouse -- $299
child -- $99
member wednesday day sessions only -- $299
member tuesday night only (welcome party & bbq) -- $109
non-member full conference -- $899
golf tournament -- separate registration below

Conference Registration

Golf Registration

wednesday
morning sessions

opening session

“Keep On Truckin’: Staying Driven When the Road Gets Rough”
April Lewis, President and CEO, A. Lewis Academy, Inc.

With her signature humor, energy, and truth-telling style, April will rev your engines and remind you why leadership in trucking isn’t just about freight loads and fuel costs—it’s about staying steady when the industry swerves.

This session is a motivational pit stop designed for fleet owners navigating one of the longest industry downswings in recent memory. April will explore how to keep your teams engaged, your people loyal, and your culture resilient—even when the economy, competition, and personal capacity work against you. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas for employee retention beyond “money and merch,” new ways to tell your company’s story to attract talent, and a serious boost of energy to help you lead through uncertainty.

Because no matter the season, trucking doesn’t stop—and neither do you. Let’s roll!

general session

From Doom to Boom and Now Gloom? Or is it Time for Pessimists to Become Optimists?
Thom Albrecht, CRO, Reliance Partners

Insights on Freight, Capacity, and the Zaniness from Washington, D.C.:

The freight market has been on a wild ride—from crisis to recovery and now uncertainty. Is the current gloom justified, or is it time to shift toward optimism? This session will dive into the critical factors shaping the industry, from consumer demand to freight capacity and the broader economic forces at play.

Tom will tackle key questions during his session:

What’s the real state of consumer demand, and what does it mean for freight?
When will trucking supply and demand return to equilibrium?
What’s missing in the freight equation, and where will growth come from?
How have past tariff policies influenced economic activity, and what lessons apply today?
With housing showing signs of life after a prolonged slump, is this rebound sustainable?

keynote

Thriving Through Disruption: Strategies for a Resilient Trucking Business
Dave Williams, SVP Equipment & Govt Relations, Knight-Swift

The trucking industry continues to face rapid shifts—from unpredictable market cycles to increasing legislative and regulatory demands. This session will provide trucking professionals with practical strategies for adapting to changing freight conditions, anticipating economic ups and downs, and navigating ongoing policy and compliance challenges. Attendees will also explore how to better understand and leverage their company’s value to stay competitive and resilient in a dynamic industry landscape.

wednesday
afternoon sessions

executives talk business

Executives talk business

Back by popular demand is our Executives Talk Business session where attendees discuss hot industry topics with trucking executives from around the state. Which executives will you learn from?

Family Succession Planning: Andra Knapek & Jana Schindele, Spee-Dee Delivery Service

Attracting the Next Generation to Trucking: Steve Yaggy, Yaggy Specialized Truck Service

Time Management: Mel Simon, Styer Transportation

Strategic Planning: Eric Anson, TA Dedicated

Cultivating New Leaders: Karsen Ulwelling, Valley Transportation Service

Performing Multiple Roles as a Small Business Owner: Tom Kuehl, Kuehl Transit

What I Read and Follow to Help Make Decisions: Perry Olson, Fortune Transportation

How to Have Your Drivers Vote Your Company as an Elite Fleet: Joyce Brenny, Brenny Specialized

Company Risk Management: Mehdi Arradizadeh, Anderson Trucking Service

Best Practices to Influence Your Legislators: John Hausladen, Minnesota Trucking Association

breakout session option 1A

Peer-to-peer industry conversations

Peer-to-peer industry conversations give you the opportunity to discuss with your peers topics that affect your day-to-day work. It's a time to ask questions, share best practices, and learn what others are doing to handle these everyday issues!

Pick two of the topics below that interest you:

1) FMLA

2) OSHA

3) In Office Technology (dispatch software)

4) Mitigating Fraud (vetting carriers, brokers, and shippers)

5) Driver Recruiting

6) Enhancing Driver Relationships

7) Improving CSA Scores

8) Customer Relationships

9) Choosing Maintenance Diagnostic Software

10) Work/Life Balance

breakout session option 1B

Navigating customer contracts

Mike Glover, Partner, DeWitt LLP

During this session you will learn, how to understand the “core” components of a transportation contract, how to identify and push back on “out of the ordinary” or predatory provisions, know if you should have your own contract, and how to negotiate / renegotiate a contract.

breakout session option 2A

Reducing the Likelihood of a Nuclear Verdict with Safety Audits

Chad Hoppenjan, Vice President, Safety Management Services Company

During this session you will learn about the safety issues brought against motor carriers in court yielding successful verdicts for plaintiffs. You will also understand how to reduce the likelihood of suffering a nuclear verdict by auditing your safety and compliance programs to help identify potential issues.

breakout session option 2B

How to prepare for GHG 2027

Jeff Tholen, Momentum Truck Group

Chad Seth, Rihm Kenworth

Greg Budde, Allstate Peterbilt Group

David Hillman, International

Andrea Hillan, Cummins

Facilitator: Sean Claton, President, J&R Schugel

During this session, you will understand the purchasing implications and maintenance requirements to prepare for GHG 2027.

thursday
morning sessions

thursday membership meeting

Industry and legislative updates- hear what MTA has accomplished and is working on for you!

closing session

Life-Undeferred: Unlock the Dream Life Already Inside
Jerrid Sebasta, Creator of Life Undeferred

In this transformative keynote, Jerrid Sebesta unveils the powerful philosophy behind Life-Undeferred, empowering individuals to break free from mediocrity and embrace their most authentic, exciting lives. Drawing from his experiences as a TV meteorologist, Jerrid delivers a high-energy presentation that challenges attendees to stop deferring their dreams and start living boldly. Through compelling stories, practical strategies, and interactive exercises, Jerrid guides the audience on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. He reveals how to cultivate the right mindset, develop unwavering discipline, and unlock the potential that lies dormant within each of us.

networking
opportunities

first-time attendee gathering

First time at an MTA Annual Conference? Don't sweat it! Join us in the hospitality suite for a warm welcome and casual networking at the First-Time Attendee Gathering, where newcomers can connect, ask questions, and start the event off right.

tuesday welcome bbq

Get the evening started by enjoying dinner by the lake. Whether you are coming off the golf course or have just arrived, this dinner will feature live music and catching up with your trucking friends. Golf winners will also be announced at this event.

tuesday welcome party & Expo

Enjoy complimentary beverages and desserts while you network, visit vendor booths and check out the latest trucks on the market. This evening is sure to be exciting as vendors will be giving away door prizes starting at 8:00 p.m. Be sure to drop your cards at the vendor booths to enter!

tuesday hospitality lounge

Continue a great night of networking with complimentary beverages and food at the hospitality lounge! Refer to the schedule to find out when the hospitality lounge will be open.

fleet safety award luncheon

Help honor and celebrate Minnesota's safest fleets with your peers at Wednesday's Fleet Safety Award Luncheon, where one fleet will be named the Grand Champion!

spouse pontoon ride and lunch

Enjoy a pontoon ride across the lake with fellow significant others with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. No kids on this trip. Spouse must be registered for the conference. Sign-up at conference check-in.