The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is bringing the nation’s premier trucking conference to Cairns, seeing hundreds of industry leaders, operators, suppliers and supporters flock to the regional Queensland city. 

The ATA and its member associations collectively represent the 50,000 businesses and 200,000 people in the Australian trucking industry. Together, we are committed to safety, professionalism and viability. 

ATA CEO Ben Maguire has launched registrations for the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2020 conference in Cairns today. Mr Maguire was joined by CEO of ATA member association the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) Gary Mahon and representatives from conference partners Cairns Convention Centre and Riley Hotel. 

“Trucking Australia 2020 is where industry meets. It will connect the trucking industry, engage thought leaders and provide a platform for the development of positive discussion and real solutions to the issues we face,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said. 

“Trucking is not just a metropolitan story, it’s a regional story. That is why it is only fitting we have chosen to gather in Cairns, where we will be hosted in world-class facilities while surrounded by the lifeblood of the trucking industry,” he said. 

Mr Maguire said the conference will have a significant positive economic impact, bringing more than $2 million to the Cairns region.

“Not only will Trucking Australia 2020 have direct benefit to the local economy, it’s a great chance to showcase the region and promote tourism to the area,” he said. 

Trucking Australia 2020 follows the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2019 conference in Perth, where more than 480 delegates participated in the largest trucking industry event in Western Australia this year. 

Federal Member for Leichardt, Warren Entsch, has welcomed the conference to Cairns and emphasised the importance of the trucking industry to Australia’s way of life. 

“We all know the trucking industry is the lifeblood of regional Australia. Without it, Australia would grind to a halt,” Mr Entsch said. 

The Trucking Australia 2020 program will be developed in collaboration with local industry members, as well as the QTA.

“Trucking Australia 2020 will be a great opportunity to bring the road freight industry together in Queensland and focus on encouraging more innovation and efficiency in our industry,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon said. 

“A feature of the conference will be our Smart Business Seminars - practical sessions designed to enable business to operate more efficiently, productively and profitably.  

“We encourage our members to attend and be involved in setting the direction for not only their own businesses, but the long-term future of our industry,” he said. 

For the first time in Trucking Australia history, the ATA is excited to offer an all-inclusive package for delegates, which includes full conference registration, accommodation, discounted airfares and more. 

“2020 will be a significant year for trucking as we anticipate the continued development of revised national truck laws: legislation that will last decades and affect everyone in the industry. Now is the time to make your voice heard,” Mr Maguire said. 

“We want to give every member of the trucking industry the opportunity to join us, and we want to make this as easy as possible for people to get here,” Mr Maguire said. 

Trucking Australia 2020 will be held in Cairns from 1-3 April 2020. 

For more information or to take advantage of the limited Trucking Australia Mega Deal, head to: www.truckingaustralia.com.au