The economy has seen a series of shocks and whipsaws in the past three-and-a-half years, and even as indicators suggest a broad settling, we continue to see echoes and consequences of the pandemic disruption. Will 2024 finally bring an economy we can anticipate? Or is the new normal just waiting for the next unseen shoe to drop?

 

Following the craziness of late 2020 through early 2022, the trucking market has been favorable for shippers for a unusually long period – at least by the standards of the past decade. We will review current conditions and the latest forecast and discuss markers we watching for signs of trucking's next upswing.

 

Carload and intermodal have been on starkly different trajectories in the last few years, and that has only intensified in the last 12 months. This session examines the fundamentals and outlooks for each side of the rail freight market and whether carload and intermodal will start to come closer together in 2024. 

 

A leading chemical and petroleum shipper speaks about the threats and opportunities they see for the market moving forward. This conversation will allow attendees to ask questions and hear answers about what they are watching to determine business outcomes in the year ahead.

 

Regulations at the federal and state levels and corporate drives for sustainability are pushing toward electric propulsion for commercial vehicles faster than we might have envisioned a decade ago. This session will address the technology paths, timelines and current and expected challenges to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and whether diesel has a role in freight transportation of the future.

 

In today's ever-evolving global marketplace, leading shippers face an array of complex and constantly changing regulatory challenges. To maintain a competitive edge while ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, shippers must chart a course for compliance.
This session is designed to provide shippers with invaluable insights into the regulatory landscape and equip them with practical strategies to navigate the intricate web of compliance concerns.

 

Catch up with old friends and new acquaintances over a delicious breakfast courtesy of the team at Arrive Logistics.

Jonathan Starks and Eric Starks will explore the intricacies of the U.S. economy and highlight how well it is shaping up to create fundamental demand for transportation. From the election results to the Federal Reserve cuts to the immutable consumer, is the economy getting ready to show slack or getting ready to roar forward?

 

 

The truck freight market has been sluggish or worse for more than two years. FTR leads a discussion into why the market appears to have lagged the broader economy and what volume and capacity trends suggest for the year ahead.

Changes in the economy and government policy ripple through to rail activity. FTR analyzes these fundamental drivers and discusses the impacts on traffic, service levels, and equipment as we move into 2025 and beyond.

Intermediaries are in the thick of the freight market with direct visibility into what is happening with both shippers and carriers. David Spencer, vice president of market intelligence for Arrive Logistics, will share insights and discuss the market with attendees.

David Brooks, chief operating officer at Armada, a leading supply chain solutions provider will join us to provide their perspective on the current state of the industry and the things keeping them up at night.

Although the election might result in some eventual changes, some aspects of the regulatory agenda are either independent of national politics or might require a longer horizon for change. This session will focus especially on the market impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2027 NOx regulation and on the various requirements imposed by the California Air Resources Board.

The election has major consequences for issues that matter greatly to various stakeholders in the freight market, such as tariffs, labor relations, and environmental policy, among others. A week after the election we will assess where things stand and what they might mean in the near and long term.

End the day with open discussion time with the FTR experts. Bring your concerns and questions as we all seek clarity in an evolving marketplace.