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By Seth Skydel
An annual event well worth attending, the 2024 Specialized Transportation Symposium held by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) brings together heavy haul professionals from across the Oversize/Overweight (OS/OW) industry, and permitting, law enforcement and state and federal officials.
“The Specialized Transportation Symposium offers something for everyone in the OS/OW industry, including operational leaders and management teams,” said Chris Smith, vice president, transportation at SC&RA. “There are networking opportunities with peers that lead to sharing best practices. The ability to hear directly from state permitting officials, and interact with them one-on-one, is something that operators find very valuable as well.”
Smith also pointed out that an added focus of the symposium this year will be on operational and business issues. Topics that will be addressed include cost pressures, legal and regulatory challenges, risk mitigation, the perspectives of shipper and manufacturer customers, and effective ways to market OS/OW services.
The 2024 Specialized Transportation Symposium will be held February 20-22, 2024, at the Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas. The event agenda includes:
Special Meetings
Joint State Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by: ProMiles Software Development Corporation
State and Regional Officials
A distinguishing element of the show is that it serves as a meeting place for state and regional officials from MAASTO (Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials), NASTO (Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials), SASHTO (Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), and WASHTO (Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials).
AASHTO CTSO (Committee on Transportation System Operations)
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) working group coordinates with industry and regional highway transport committees and focuses on permitting and credentialing processes and harmonization, pilot car safety, and other initiatives.
AASHTO, a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, addresses air, highway, public transportation, active transportation, rail, and water transportation modes to foster the development, operation, and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system.
Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association
SC&RA meetings during the symposium include the Pilot Car Task Force, the Permit Policy Committee, and the Transportation Safety, Education, and Training Committee.
Educational Sessions
Riding for the Brand: The Power of Purposeful Leadership
Sponsored by: Berard Transportation, Inc.; Marmon-Herrington; Precision Specialized Inc.; Talbert Manufacturing, Inc.
Attendees will hear insights from keynote speaker Jim Whitt, a business consultant and best-selling author who developed a purpose-based approach to leadership and organizational development and his focus on how leaders and organizations are transformed through The Power of Purposeful Leadership.
Harmonization: Policy Beyond the Permit
Moderator: Fred Marcinak, Moseley Marcinak Law Group
Speakers: John Esparza, president and chief executive officer, Texas Trucking
Association; Eric Sauer, CEO, California Trucking Association
Different permitting rules and indirect routes are costly enough. What happens when external economic and policy factors impact your business operational success?
Topics:
Litigation environment and nuclear verdicts
CARB and DEP environmental regulations
Economic development
Truck Management Technology Solutions for OS/OW Carriers
Speaker: Joanna Patterson, CEO, Triple Axle
Is truck management software meeting the needs of OS/OW carriers? This interactive session will be an opportunity for the OS/OW industry and software providers to discuss potential solutions for safety and operational needs like the integration of multiple platforms in the overall trip process, including credentialing, permitting and asset management.
2024 Economic Outlook and Prospectus
Moderator: Spo Spoljaric, corporate manager of Global Logistics, Bechtel
Speakers: Steve Frank, sales manager/heavy lift, Ceres Barge Line, Port of Houston, and UTC Overseas
A look ahead at the markets OS/OW serves from the perspective of key manufacturers, shippers, and suppliers.
Topics:
International shipping
Machinery
Highway construction
Energy
Mining
Automation
2023 Hauling Jobs of the Year
Sponsored by: Kalyn Siebert and Permit America, Inc.
The pinnacles in project excellence for the year as the Hauling Jobs of the Year winners share their entries of lifting from around the world.
Less than 160,000 net: Precision Specialized, Inc.
160,000 – 500,00 nets: Emmert International
Greater than 500,000 net: Tradelossa
Moving Job of the Year: Fagioli
Cost Pressures Facing the OS/OW Industry
Speaker: Nick Ruscito-Caissy, president, ODS North America
What are the specific cost challenges currently driving pricing in all sectors of the industry? Hear from different sectors about the cost pressures and gain a greater understanding of the forces affecting OS/OW operations.
Communication Tips and Tricks to Market your OS/OW Business
Moderator: Chris Smith, VP Transportation, SC&RA
Speaker: Katharine Mohn, VP marketing and communications, GTI Group
Learn high return, low-cost tips and techniques for marketing your OS/OW business and raising public awareness of the safety and importance of the entire industry.
Filing Your Claims On Time: What You Need to Know
Speakers: Mike Gillen, Sr. product manager, National Interstate Insurance Company; Bill Hebron, program manager, NBIS (NationsBuilders Insurance Services, Inc.)
Top notch advice from SC&RA endorsed market providers on why it’s critical to get your claims in on time, and how your claims data and process position you for the best safety record possible.
Loads Beyond Auto-Issue: How the Human Permit Review Process Actually Works
Speaker: Isaac Kight, Totrans
An up-close look at how engineers assess the safety and infrastructure preservation requirements for bridge reviews, route surveys, and other requirements of your permit.
Risk Mitigation for the Carrier Workforce
Speakers: Dave Wittwer, Brown & Brown; Cameron Boots, Allied, James Stovall, USI
New federal safety rules, driver shortages, employee health wellness, and benefits, and contracted service providers are dramatically changing the way specialized carriers plan for the risks across its workforce. Get top advice from the industry’s leading producers on what you can do to be prepared.
Case Studies for Engaging External Trip Partners
Speakers: Brad Marten – Montana Department of Transportation; Michael Hamilton, CSX Transportation
Hear practical examples from industry partners that emphasize safety and communication during OS/OW trips. Learn best practices for OS/OW carriers coordinating with other parties.
Freight Planning Considerations for OS/OW Commodities
Speaker: Andrew Canon, Freight, Trade and Connectivity Section Director, Texas DOT
As project cargo continues to get larger and heavier, experts from industry and government share ideas and planning needs for the most complicated OS/OW moves.
Exhibit Center
SC&RA brings together more than 60 of the industry’s top manufacturers, software and training providers, and insurance representatives all in one place.
For more information, visit scranet.org.
