July 27

1:00 - 6:00 p.m.     Meals & Receptions

Welcome Reception

Hosted by McLeod Software

1:00 - 6:00 p.m.     Registration

Registration

Hosted by Tenstreet

Gifts Provided by: Comdata, Great Dane, Love's Travel Stops, Relay Payments & WEX

Event Wifi Sponsored by CAT Scale

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.     General Session

Refrigerated Market Analysis

Across the US and Canada

Dean Croke, Principal Analyst for DAT iQ, shares insights and analytics addressing the Refrigerated market today and what may be in store for the future.  This is the time of year when the produce season has peaked and begins to cool down.  It’s a good time to see where spot and contract rates are heading for the remainder of the year.

​

Join Dean as he shares market trends that typically follow the month of July and how the slowest start to the produce season since 2017 may impact the refrigerated segment of the industry.

Dean Croke

Principal Analyst

DAT iQ

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.     Roundtables

Reefer Roundtables

Led by our moderators, small groups will delve into issues and solutions that are currently affecting their refrigerated operations. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear different viewpoints and learn from one another. Topics may include equipment, FDA, USDA, and CFIA procedures, technology, data, management, and more!

7:00 - 10:00 p.m.     Meals & Receptions

Reception & Dinner at The Beach Club

Hosted by Thermo King

July 28

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.     Meals & Receptions

Breakfast

Hosted by Vanguard

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

Incorporating Telematics into Your Refrigerated Fleet to Manage Food Safety and Maintenance 

In a case study through American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), Paul Menig, CEO at Business Accelerants and Charles Willmott, CEO at WillGo Transportation Consulting collaborated on research regarding the use of Smart Trailers and telematics and the safe and efficient transport of refrigerated goods. 

​

During this workshop session, Menig and Willmott will reveal the results of the Refrigerated Transport Study.  Learn how the adoption of trailer technology in your fleet could produce positive results to your bottom line.   

Paul Menig

CEO

Business Accelerants

Al Anderson

VP of Sales & Marketing

Peterson Manufacturing Co.

Charlie Willmott

Principal CEO

WillGo Transportation Consulting

Kenneth Johnson

CEO

Leonard Express

Ron Hall

VP of Equipment & Fuel

CR England

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

The Reefer World of Recruiting

and Retaining Talent  

The refrigerated trucking industry has its own unique set of challenges when it pertains to recruiting and retaining drivers and technicians.  With driver shortages being reported at record highs across the industry, combined with the increasing requirements and demands of refrigerated loads, a perfect storm is brewing, and carriers more than ever need to examine ways to attract talent, retain and train.  

During this workshop session, our speakers will discuss the unique skillsets, recruiting, and training techniques needed for drivers and technicians who operate or maintain trucks and within a refrigerated fleet.  Learn how an investment in your company culture and a focus on business goals will be the foundation for your efforts. 

Abby Tham

Director of Recruiting

Raider Express

Blair Scott

Sr. Director of Refrigerated and West Terminal Operations

Bison Transport

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

Navigating the Future: Electrification TRU for Trailers 

The future of Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) trailers is electrification, providing benefits of lower emissions and operating costs than fully diesel running units.  What steps do you need to take to move your fleet towards electrification?  During this workshop session, our speakers will discuss the electrification revolution, best equipment decisions to make, and steps you should take to move towards zero-emissions. 

Sam Doerr

Trailer Portfolio Leader

Thermo King - Trane Technologies

Bill Maddox

Senior Manager, Product Management

Carrier Transicold

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.     General Session

CARB Compliance vs Normal Operations:  Today’s Impact and the Future of Your Fleet 

With growing supply chain issues and increased detention time concerns, refrigerated truckload carriers must consider CARB emission compliance standards within their normal operations in order to successfully manage their fleets and prepare for the future.   

​

During this general session, our panelists will compare CARB standards with normal refrigeration operations, providing clarity to help you make the best decisions moving forward regarding equipment and technology tools to help you stay compliant.  Also, learn how to move your fleet compliance into the future with information on electrification for Tru trailers. 

Bruce Kranz

COE Leader

Thermo King - Trane Technologies

Marc Trahand

VP and GM, eMobility Business Unit

Consolidated Metco

Bill Maddox

Senior Manager, Product Management

Carrier Transicold

moderator

Amber Edmondson

President & CEO

Trailiner Corporation

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.     Meals & Receptions

Coffee Break

​

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.     General Session

Keynote Speaker - Amy Walter 

Sponsored by ACT 1

For more than 20 years, Amy Walter has built a reputation as an accurate, objective, and insightful political analyst with unparalleled access to campaign insiders and decision-makers. Known as one of the best political journalists covering Washington, she is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the non-partisan Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, where she provides analysis of the issues, trends, and events that shape the political environment. A contributor to the PBS NewsHour, she provides weekly political analysis for the popular “Politics Monday” segment. She is also a regular Sunday panelist on NBC’s Meet the Press and CNN’s Inside Politics, and appears frequently on Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News Channel. From 2017 until early 2021, Walter was the host of the weekly nationally syndicated program “Politics with Amy Walter” on The Takeaway from WNYC and PRX. She’s also the former political director of ABC News.

​

In her presentations, Walter expertly breaks down the electoral process, congressional culture, and the Washington political scene. Her astuteness, wit, and range of expertise creates an engaging, compelling presentation, and her reliable and accurate analysis has earned her numerous accolades

Amy Walter

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Popular On-Air Political Analyst

​

11:50 am - 4:00 p.m.    Activities

Boat Tour of Traverse City West Bay

Alvys, Coretex an EROAD Company, Hendrickson, ORBCOMM, PLM + Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.

11:50 am - First Bus Departs for the Harbor

12:15 pm - Second and Third Buses Depart for the Harbor

12:25 pm - Final Bus Departs for the Harbor

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Boat Tour

3:45 pm - Drop off at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

12:00 - 5:00 p.m.    Activities

Golf Tournament on The Wolverine Course

Hosted by Alvys, Coretex an EROAD Company, Hendrickson, ORBCOMM, PLM + Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.

12:00 pm - Clubhouse Lawn Range Open and Lunch Served
12:30 pm - Shotgun Scramble Tournament Begins

6:15 p.m.    Meals & Receptions

Buses Depart for Reception + Dinner

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.    Meals & Receptions

Reception at Aurora Cellars

Hosted by Carrier Transicold

8:00 - 10:00 p.m.    Meals & Receptions

Dinner at Aurora Cellars

Hosted by Carrier Transicold

July 29

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.     Meals & Receptions

Breakfast

Sponsored by Pilot Flying J

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

Legal Ramifications of Operating Reefer  

Managing a refrigerated fleet means adhering to an increasing list of regulations to assure your load is delivered safely while meeting all standards and requirements.  Failure to meet federal requirements and shipper demands can result in legal claims and lawsuits. 

​

During this workshop session, our speakers will discuss the potential legal claims affiliated with reefer operations, the use of telematics to assist drivers with meeting requirements, and language that should not be included in your contracts. 

Eric Baker

Frost Brown Todd

Lisa Stephenson

VP - General Counsel

CRST

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

Equipment for Refrigerated Trucks: 

Maintaining and Maintenance 

With so many special requirements for maintaining your reefer fleet, deciding on the best equipment and maintaining trailers can be a challenge.  Join our speakers for this insightful workshop with an equipment focus.  You will learn about equipment life cycles and ROI, the process of collecting data, and how to extend the use of your equipment.       

Jim Pinder

Sr. Corporate Fleet Director

Erb Group

Dave Wallace

Director of Sales

Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.

Matt Gertsenslager

Director of Sales

Hendrickson

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.     Workshop

Tax Laws Today and Tomorrow 

Understanding tax laws and the impact on your refrigeration trucking business is critical when preparing your day-to-day operations, but your decisions can affect the future.   

During this workshop session, our speakers will discuss Tax laws pertaining to the refrigerated industry, addressing current and future-facing tax laws. Additionally, there will be a focus on the impact of succession planning and the family dynamic.  You will learn the top tax ramifications, secession planning tips, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.   

Ben Lyon

Partner

Katz, Sapper & Miller

Brittany Schutter

Director

Katz, Sapper & Miller

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.     General Session

Food Shipper/Carrier Roundtable: 

Solving the Detention Crisis  

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, reefer drivers experience the longest and most frequent detention times compared to other fright types.  This crisis has only gotten worse in recent years with the increasing demands now creating a supply chain shortage affecting everyday Americans and carriers nationwide.  How do we solve the detention crisis? 

​

During this roundtable discussion, we will discuss: 

• Suggestions on reducing retention time to 1-hour. 

• Best practices in food shipment.  

• The use of ELD data to affectively address detention. 

• Improving asset utilization. 

• Establishing the expectations to detect and address detention. 

Ed Nagle

President & CEO

Nagle Companies

Jeffrey Short

Vice President

American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)

Heath Treasure

CEO

Super T Transport

Tricia Porter

Director, Carrier Relations

Lineage

Chris Kozak

Contract Carrier

Tyson Foods

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.     Meals & Receptions

Coffee Break

Hosted by Lazear Capital

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.     General Session

CEO Panel

Arctic Express COO Mike Durst will moderate a panel of accomplished Temperature Controlled Carriers—Darryl Hopkins, Controller of Prime Inc., Wendell Erb, President and CEO at Erb Group of Companies, and Richard Durst, President and CEO of Arctic Express. These industry leaders will discuss current industry trends, their perspective on innovations for the future, and the outlook for Temperature Controlled Hauling considering today’s challenges with supply chain, production, dwell time and market conditions.

Darrel Hopkins

Controller

Prime, Inc

Wendel Erb

President & CEO

Erb Group of Companies

Richard Durst

President & CEO

Arctic Express

moderator:

Mike Durst

COO

Arctic Express