Have you heard the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada is hosting a virtual two-day information packed conference (Sept. 9-10) instead of their traditional in person conference, is this our new reality? I would have to say for the foreseeable future it is, so let us embrace it. This conference lead by the PMTC’s President Mike Millian is always an invaluable conference. I may be slightly bias since I sit on the board of directors for this fine organization. In a world where we are all pulled often in different directions to volunteer for various boards and organizations, I found PMTC to be a great fit for myself personally as well as the company I work for. Our board is made up of carriers, suppliers, and vendors alike, as with most organizations we all bring different life experiences to the table and yet we make a difference for the transportation industry as well as local communities. Mike along with his executives and board of directors ensures that various Provincial and Federal ministries here our voices.
What can you expect from this two-day conference? It starts off with always a conference favourite a Legal Update. Heather Devine a partner at Alexander Holburn-Beaudin & Lang LLP is always engaging and is well known for her knowledge in the transportation industry. This is without a doubt someone you must hear present and I guarantee you will be left scratching your head with the amount of information she provides in a short period of time. CPC Logistics is always willing to surround themselves with organizations that make a difference and they are a proud “Diamond Sponsor” of this conference. One of my personal favourite part of the conference is the CPC Logistics Canada Driver Hall Of Fame award. This is a time when the backbone of our industry “Our Drivers” are recognized for a job well done. These men and women are all seasoned drivers and are the best in class drivers who represent their companies and our industry with pride.
Have I convinced you yet that this two-day virtual conference is something you do not want to miss? Allow me to tell you a little more that will be happening during the conference.
The one part of PMTC that always impresses me is the Young Leaders Group (YLG) lead by Matt Richardson. This group consists of great young minds of the future of our industry. They host events within local communities and find ways to shape our future. You will want to see the YLG sourced panel: Electric Vehicles, The Future is Being Built Now.
The PMTC looks to recognize so many individuals within our industry. They recognize one individual and award them the Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the year Award. Rick was a dispatcher for CPC Logistics, and he was not only a dispatcher he was a friend to so many drivers and other team members within CPC Logistics. Rick was always looking to “Change the Culture” one person at a time, to be that ear when a driver needed someone to talk to. He was that person if you were in a bind with anything and not all was work related, Rick was there. This award is dedicated in his memory for other dispatcher that have the same values and characteristics that Rick possessed.
There are so many topics in the two-day virtual conference I cannot do them just with a paragraph on the topics. PMTC values safety, not only from the drivers on the road but also the companies they represent. Mike and his team recognize Private Fleet Safety Awards, and this is sponsored by Aviva Canada. The PMTC recognizes private fleets with exceptional safety records.
All the above-mentioned topics and more are only on the first day of the virtual conference. Day # 2 is packed as well with vital topics within our industry.
One panel discussion that will be a conference pleaser will be “The Truth About Commercial Automobile Insurance”. This panel is filled with industry experts and this is truly going to be a “Home Run” panel and you will be in awe by the end of this discussion. The moderator on this panel is Lisa Arseneau, commercial insurer for Staebler Insurance. I may be a little bias toward Lisa because we sit on another committee together but I have heard list moderate panels in the past and she does not hold back, she is an exceptional moderator and always has the best interest of our industry at heart. Lisa is called upon for her expertise in the industry at various Government Stakeholder meetings. You really do not want to miss this panel discussion.
Another seminar that is dear to so many of us is “Truckers Against Human Trafficking”. As I have personally learned from this organization is this is not a third world problem, it is right here in Canada, Ontario, the 401 corridors, this is closer than you think. To hear this presentation and the facts about human trafficking will melt your heart with sadness and the joy you will hear about survivors.
Virtual Training in a COVID -19 World. As companies are trying to navigate their way through our new reality, Kelly Henderson, ED of Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic, an early adopter of using VR training. Kelly moderates a panel of industry experts to delve into this topic and explore the possibilities of its use.
If I have not convinced you yet that this is a virtual conference you cannot miss. Mike (PMTC) puts on a conference like no other, filled with industry experts and there is always time to ask the important questions.
If you want more information about this two-day conference please contact the PMTC website at www.pmtc.ca or if you have a specific question, please email info@pmtc.ca
