Join us for breakfast and networking  with other trucking professionals as industry leaders share valuable insights on the current state of the industry, updates on trucking regulations, and strategies for owner-operators and small fleets to optimize their operations and overcome any challenges in 2025.

Admission is $100. Attendees and Exhibitors can add this event to their badge during Registration.
More Info at Opening Breakfast

Join Dr. Erika Voss, CISO at DAT Freight & Analytics, and John Williamson, VP of Sales at SOCRadar, for an in-depth discussion on combating the rising threat of freight fraud in the logistics and transportation industry.

This engaging session will address:
• Understanding Freight Fraud: Explore the various forms of freight fraud, including identity impersonation, double brokering, and fake carrier profiles, backed by recent industry statistics and real-world examples.
• Cyber Threat Intelligence in Action: Learn how innovative solutions like SOCRadar’s extended threat intelligence empower companies to detect and prevent fraud by monitoring emerging threats and analyzing deep web activity.
• Collaborative Approaches: Gain insights into DAT Freight’s successful integration of cyber intelligence tools, resulting in reduced fraud rates and enhanced security measures.

Key Takeaways:
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, including:
• Best practices for employee training and fraud detection.
• Leveraging real-time monitoring and tailored threat intelligence to mitigate risks.
• Strengthening identity verification processes and fostering industry collaboration.

During these challenging Times in Trucking, sharing tips and tools for success is vital. During this session, we’ll review updated industry insights, discuss strategies for more engaging and efficient driver recruiting and recommended retention practices.

Every year, cargo theft and spoilage cost the logistics industry billions, but what if your trucks could talk to prevent it? With cutting-edge IoT technology you gain real-time visibility, critical alerts, and actionable insights to protect your cargo and minimize waste. And even better? No downtime for installations or calibrations? Join the movement to revolutionize logistics and ensure every shipment arrives safely, sustainably, and on time.

The trucking industry has faced a rollercoaster over the past few years—are you making the most of it?

If you’re in trucking, you know that costs are rising, profits are shrinking, and uncertainty is the new normal. But did you know that insurance is one of the few major expenses you can control? With the right strategies, you can save thousands—even hundreds of thousands—without sacrificing coverage.

March 27th at 4:00pm, I’ll share my firsthand experience navigating the insurance market, from the pandemic boom to the freight downturn, and how you can turn these industry shifts into an advantage.

What You’ll Learn:
Industry Trends & What’s Next – The trucking insurance landscape has been volatile, with rates skyrocketing one year and stabilizing the next. I’ll break down what’s driving these shifts and how you can prepare for 2025 and beyond.

How to Shop Smart & Save Big – Many truckers stick with the same insurance provider year after year, losing out on major savings. I’ll show you how to take control of your policy, what to look for in an agent, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

The Cost of Complacency – Insurance companies shift their pricing strategies constantly. If you’re not shopping your coverage annually, you could be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. I’ll show you exactly how to stay ahead.

Market Assignments & The Truth About “Cheaper” Policies – Not all policies are created equal. I’ll explain how market assignments impact your options and why the lowest price isn’t always the best deal.

I will close out with a Q&A session for any questions you may have regarding your trucking insurance.

Why You Should Attend:

I’ve been in the industry since 2016, and I’ve seen the challenges truckers face firsthand. From the COVID-era trucking boom to the recent market downturn, I’ve helped fleets (big and small) weather the storm and come out stronger. Whether you’re a small business looking to cut costs or a larger fleet managing risk, this session will give you the tools to protect your business and your bottom line.

You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your insurance—make sure you’re taking full advantage.

Don’t miss this session at MATS 2025—your wallet will thank you!

If you have an aging workforce and want to learn about all things “Next Gen” you won’t want to miss this session. We will give practical ideas on what Gen Z looks for when job searching, what kind of company they want to work for, and how to retain them. Let us help you attract the next generation by helping you form a workforce strategy.

In its 5-year history, the Independent Carrier Safety Association (ICSA) has seen dramatic improvements in its members’ safety when big-fleet technology and risk management services are provided to these small fleets and single-truck operators. ICSA’s average member operates 6 or fewer trucks but can leverage the benefits of in-cab cameras and hair testing drivers for drugs to both improve safety and reduce their truck insurance rates. ICSA’s Director of Operations Shawn Nelson explains not only how small carriers and single-truck operators can benefit from using forward-facing cameras but also how camera data can be used to more effectively coach drivers. Mr. Nelson will also describe other steps small carriers can take to improve safety performance and lead to greater profitability.

Truckers life expectancy in the US is 61 years – 17 years shorter than the general population. I have been working with truck drivers for 15 years – as a VP of Operations, a trucking company owner, and a social media host of Chris Kuna Drive – Interviews with truckers. I would like to bring awareness to the problems with physical and mental health that truck drivers experience in their line of work, what are the main causes for these problems, and what solutions each member of the supply chain can take to help truck drivers – the most under-appreciated group in the trucking industry.

The Women’s Leadership in Trucking Panel at MATS 2025 will bring together influential leaders to discuss key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of women in trucking. This engaging session will explore strategic solutions for driver recruitment and retention, critical industry resources for women, and safety and advocacy initiatives that support career growth and equity. Panelists will also highlight leadership, innovation, and actionable strategies to foster a more inclusive, progressive, and sustainable trucking industry. Whether you’re an industry professional, fleet owner, or aspiring trucking leader, this session offers valuable insights, expert perspectives, and real-world solutions to advance the industry and support women in trucking.

Getting your authority is a big step, but the first 90 days are critical to laying a strong foundation for your trucking business. While waiting for brokers to see you as a trusted partner, you can take meaningful steps to establish your business, build trust, and position yourself for growth. Join Christian Greiner from DAT and an owner-operator as they share actionable strategies and tools to help you start your journey with confidence. From creating a professional online presence to mastering networking and negotiation, this session will provide you with clear guidance and practical tips to grow your business and gain brokers’ confidence.

Attendees Will Learn or Leave With:
Building a Professional Brand: Actionable steps to create a business website, set up a professional email domain, and design a logo that represents your company’s identity.
Establishing an Online Presence: Effective strategies for using LinkedIn and social media to connect with brokers and shippers while showcasing your business.
Networking Essentials: Proven tips to confidently start conversations with brokers and build meaningful connections at industry events like MATS.
Sharpened Negotiation Skills: Techniques to secure better rates, avoid fraud, and foster strong partnerships through resources like DAT U classes.
Optimizing Business Operations: Key insights into managing insurance, accounting systems, calculating your operating costs, and compliance to keep your business running smoothly.
Manage your Reputation: Tips and tools to help manage your reputation and enhance your reputation, such as DAT’s Company Profile, Carrier411, FreightGuard
A Complete Toolkit for Success: Requirements for obtaining your Authority and a practical checklist covering branding, negotiation, and operational best practices to ensure your business is set up for long-term growth.

This session is designed for truckers who are starting their journey as owner-operators or are considering getting their own authority. You’ll leave with a clear plan to make the most of your first 90 days and beyond.

Best business practices for owner operators presented by our Foundation department.

Managing cash flow effectively is essential for owner-operators looking to build a profitable and sustainable trucking business. This presentation will provide practical strategies that Triumph Financial employs to help carriers manage their income and maintain financial stability. Attendees will learn about LoadPay, the business bank account built for truck drivers that integrates with Triumph’s payment platforms and ensures carriers have the quickest access to their funds.

Running a heavy-duty repair shop is hard work, and the commercial vehicle aftermarket is changing at an alarming pace. As ADAS and EV technology knowledge and capabilities are becoming critical to a shop’s success, its’ becoming impossible to work off your gut instinct alone – you must work with and adapt to the data. In this session, you’ll learn about the critical business metrics as well as the current and emerging trends your shop should track to ensure growth. More so, you’ll learn why more effective inspections and preventative maintenance from your shop management platform can lead to higher efficiency, higher profit and faster lead times from your technicians. Understand how to keep up with the shifting market and why it’s critical to your shop’s future. Don’t trust your gut – trust the data.

Compliance might be important but there is nothing more important than staying in business and finding work for us as drivers. Challenging violations and preventable crashes are key to keeping carrier ratings and SMS scores low to ensure they can get and keep insurance, keep premiums low, find work with brokers and shippers and keep off the enforcement radar. Our goal is to encourage participation in these programs while helping drivers and fleets understand their right to do so and how it helps keep them in the right enforcement, and risk space.

There can be confusion between citations, warnings, and violations. Because of this confusion drivers and companies often don’t understand how each of these effect their MVR, PSP, the company’s SMS scores. Getting a better understanding of the difference and the steps to take in handling them, such as DataQ challenges can make all the difference in have negative effects on those reports.

The session would have two FMCSA subject matter experts providing updates and discussion on FMCSA’s Crash Causal Factors Program to carry out a multi-phase study of crashes involving CMVs. The CCFP expands on the original Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) that investigated nearly 1,000 injury and fatal crashes involving large trucks from 2001 to 2003.

The Crash Causal Factors Program (CCFP) is a detailed crash data collection and analysis effort intended to:

Identify the key factors that contribute to crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs),
Inform countermeasures to prevent these crashes, and
Establish a foundation for continued data collection, sharing, and analysis.

Join the TCS Team, and TCS partners, to learn how blockchain rails and digital asset exchanges (like CoinBase) are now providing the fastest and cheapest freight invoice settlement in the Industry!

The trucking market is always moving, and staying ahead requires the right data and strategies. Join Robert Rouse, a key player at DAT – the load board with the most freight in the industry – alongside a successful owner-operator as they provide real-world advice to help truckers like you succeed. Whether navigating today’s challenges or preparing for growth, this session delivers actionable insights to help you drive profitability and make smarter business decisions.

Join this session to learn more about:
Find the Right Freight: How to uncover more loads, better-paying lanes, and consistent opportunities
Build Relationships That Pay Off: How to build strong partnerships and great service to set yourself up for long-term success.
Understand Market Trends: A straightforward look at where the market is heading and how to prepare for changes – both expected and unexpected.
Invest in the Right Tools: Gain tips on tools like route planning and fuel-saving strategies to boost efficiency and stretch your earnings.
Stay Protected: Learn how to safeguard your business against scams, fraud, and cyberattacks.
Seize Opportunities Quickly: Use data and analytics to spot high-demand lanes and adapt to market shifts faster than the competition.

The members of the Trucking Solutions Group will discuss methods or techniques they tried to improve their business that either failed or not deliver the results anticipated. Audience participation is encouraged. Bring your questions and experience and join the discussion.

This session chronicles my evolution from a newcomer in the trucking industry to a seasoned professional and podcast host. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the pivotal role of continuous learning and adaptation. The discussion will also highlight how sharing experiences through a podcast can contribute to industry knowledge and community building.

Key Topics:

• Starting the Journey: Entering the Trucking Industry
• Initial challenges and overcoming common obstacles.
• Essential skills and knowledge for newcomers.
• Learning the Ropes: Gaining Experience on the Road
• Real-world experiences and key takeaways.
• The importance of mentorship and networking.
• Embracing Technology: Leveraging Tools for Success
• Utilizing emerging technologies to enhance operations.
• Adapting to industry innovations for improved efficiency.
• Sharing the Journey: Launching ‘That’s Delivered’ Podcast
• Motivation behind starting the podcast.
• Topics covered and audience engagement strategies.
• Contributing to the Industry: Building a Knowledge-Sharing Community
• The impact of shared experiences on industry practices.
• Encouraging others to share their stories and insights.

Q&A Session: Engaging with Attendees
Open floor for questions and discussion.

Audience Takeaways:

• Practical advice for newcomers and seasoned professionals in the trucking industry.
• Insights into leveraging technology and continuous learning for career advancement.
• Understanding the value of sharing experiences to foster community and industry growth.