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.