The 2026 HDTX will take place September 23–25 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and fewer than 50 fleets have been selected to participate. Those chosen attend as guests of Heavy Duty Trucking, with airfare, hotel, meals, and programming included.

Who Attends HDTX?

HDTX has grown since its launch in 2017 into a gathering of diverse heavy-duty trucking professionals. Attendees typically include fleet owners and executives of Class 7-8 fleets, as well as managers overseeing maintenance, equipment specification, safety, compliance, and technology initiatives. The event is designed for those responsible for operational decisions and seeking solutions to day-to-day challenges in the trucking industry.

Structured Supplier Meetings

A standout feature of HDTX is its “speed dating” style one-on-one meetings with suppliers. Fleet managers get 10 minutes per session to present operational challenges and explore how suppliers’ solutions might fit. If a conversation isn’t a match, participants move on to the next meeting, keeping discussions productive and focused.

Education and Industry Insights

HDTX also offers educational sessions led by Heavy Duty Trucking editors and industry experts. Topics at previous events have included:

• Maintenance and equipment specification
• Safety and compliance
• Driver recruiting and retention
• Sustainability
• Autonomous trucks
• Leveraging fleet data and artificial intelligence

One of the event highlights is the HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Awards, which recognize fleets driving innovation in trucking. The awards ceremony is followed by a panel discussion moderated by HDT editors, offering attendees insight into the strategies and successes of top-performing fleets.

Networking Beyond the Conference Room

Beyond structured meetings and sessions, HDTX encourages networking through meals, receptions, and social activities. The small, intimate format allows fleet managers to build genuine connections with peers and suppliers, something often missing at larger conventions.

All-Expenses-Paid Participation

Fleet managers selected for HDTX attend on an all-expenses-paid basis. This includes:

• Round-trip economy airfare to Phoenix
• Two-night hotel stay at the Scottsdale Resort
• Ground transportation between the airport and the resort
• Scheduled meals and receptions

Note that incidentals, parking, and transportation to and from the attendee’s home airport are not included.

Why HDTX Matters for Fleet Managers

For fleet managers looking to stay ahead in the industry, HDTX provides several advantages:

1. Educational sessions with industry experts – curated by HDT editors specifically for fleet management challenges.
2. Peer-to-peer networking – build relationships and exchange ideas in a setting designed for meaningful conversation.
3. Insight from leading suppliers – learn about technologies and solutions shaping the future of heavy-duty trucking.
4. One-on-one meetings with suppliers – focused discussions to address operational challenges.
5. Truck Fleet Innovator Awards – recognize industry-leading fleets and gain perspective from award-winning executives during a panel discussion.

For fleet managers and industry stakeholders, HDTX represents a concentrated opportunity to connect, learn, and explore innovations that can impact fleet operations.

Learn more and submit an application at: heavydutytruckingexchange.com/attend

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Fleet Advantage (FA) proudly announced its “Driving Success” podcast as the recipient of the prestigious Trailblazer Award from the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA).

“We are incredibly pleased to receive this recognition from TMSA,” shared Katerina Jones, CMO at FA. “Driving Success was developed as a way to bring relevant, timely, and insightful conversations to transportation professionals across all levels of experience. This award is a reflection of our team’s creativity, commitment, and deep understanding of the industry’s evolving needs. It also validates our broader strategy of meeting audiences where they are—through accessible and impactful digital content.”

The TMSA Trailblazer Awards

The Trailblazer Awards honor innovation, creativity, and measurable results in marketing and sales within the transportation sector. Each year, TMSA recognizes organizations that craft forward-thinking, data-driven campaigns that contribute meaningfully to their industries. Fleet Advantage garnered this accolade for its ability to elevate brand presence, deliver purpose-driven content, and achieve business outcomes.

The Impact of “Driving Success”

Launched in 2024, Fleet Advantage’s “Driving Success” podcast was designed to attract a younger, tech-savvy audience, blending education and thought leadership with the goal of increasing brand awareness. The podcast’s episodes explore key transportation topics, including fleet asset management, financing strategies, safety initiatives, and regulatory updates, all tailored to the evolving needs of industry professionals.

Fleet Advantage celebrated several milestones in the podcast’s first year:

• 600% growth in views and listens
• Enhanced engagement with clients and prospects
• Strengthened relationships with existing customers

The podcast became an integral tool in Fleet Advantage’s digital content strategy, bolstered by partnerships, syndication across LinkedIn and YouTube, social media campaigns, and email promotions. Episodes such as Navigating the CARB Prebuy, Fleet Management: State of the Industry, and the Summer of Safety micro-series have resonated strongly with listeners, serving as valuable resources for education and community building.

Judges and Industry Praise

The podcast’s innovation and execution drew high praise from TMSA competition judges.

“I love a podcast and know how challenging it can be to keep it going. Kudos for captions—so important. This effort lays the foundation for a full content marketing strategy,” noted one judge.

Another commented, “An interesting and very well-thought-out project. The execution is impressive.”

More Than a Podcast

Episodes addressing important topics, like the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week and National Tire Safety Week, showcased the brand’s dedication to industry well-being and road safety. These campaigns also highlighted Fleet Advantage’s ability to connect with its audience on current events, further cementing its role as a thought leader.

Fleet Advantage’s marketing team, including Jones and marketing and digital coordinator Tracy Derival, accepted the award during the 2025 TMSA ELEVATE Conference’s Blazer’s Bash.

The podcast is available for streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.

Explore Fleet Advantage’s award-winning podcast today and stay ahead in the transportation industry.

(Image Source: Fleet Advantage) Fleet Advantage’s CMO Katerina Jones and marketing and digital coordinator Tracy Derival accept the MSA Trailblazer Award for FA’s “Driving Success” podcast. Source: The Trucker

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Shape the Future of Trucking with Your Input  

“With the industry cost data that comes from ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking report, our fleet is able to apply the operational metrics to better manage our expenses,” said Dr. Robert Howard, Dohrn Transfer Company president, COO. “This information will help every carrier benchmark their financials and prepare them for contract negotiations. Equally valuable are the customized insights into how our costs and performance measure up to our peers in this challenging freight market.” 

The Importance of ATRI’s Benchmark Tool  

Recognized as the leading public resource for trucking cost benchmarking, ATRI’s Operational Costs of Trucking report aggregates confidential data from carriers of all sizes, regions, and specialties. Whether it’s a single-truck owner-operator or a fleet of 10,000+ vehicles, participants contribute valuable information that tracks cost trends and helps companies maximize profitability and efficiency. 

The data points gathered include key operational cost metrics like driver wages, insurance expenses, and equipment financing or purchasing costs. Insights into operational performance indicators, such as non-revenue mileage, average dwell times per stop, and miles driven between vehicle breakdowns, are also included.  

How to Participate  

Data for the 2024 calendar year can be submitted confidentially via ATRI’s online form or through an emailed PDF form. A simplified version for owner-operators has also been introduced, making this process accessible for smaller trucking operations. 

Motor carriers who contribute will gain access to a customized report comparing their fleet’s costs and performance against anonymized data from similarly sized companies in their sector. Additionally, participants receive an early release of the full report. 

To add your input, submit the requested information no later than Friday, April 25. The data collection form, a sample customized report, and an FAQ resource are available online here. ATRI emphasizes that all contributions will remain confidential and will only be published in an aggregated, anonymized format. 

Source: The Trucker  

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Insights into the Changing Driver Landscape

ATRI has crafted a streamlined survey to delve deep into the lives of truck drivers today, both in their professional journeys and personal stories. By exploring these shifts, ATRI hopes to capture how the heart of the trucking community has changed over the past two decades. Protecting the privacy of participants is paramount, as all responses are kept strictly confidential.

Comparing Trends Across Two Decades

With a treasure trove of over 20 years of survey data on truck drivers, ATRI’s latest research is set to reveal new insights into who today’s trucking professionals are, and will identify trends and transformations, offering a window into the evolving nature of the industry.

Inclusive Recruitment Efforts

This study is intertwined with ATRI’s mission to develop inclusive recruitment strategies, particularly for underrepresented groups in trucking. The spotlight is on bringing more women into the fold, as well as reaching out to individuals with backgrounds in foster care and those who have been incarcerated.

“As a driver with 33 years on the road, I have seen our driver workforce change over time. Understanding what the truck driver population looks like today is crucial to ensuring that our needs are properly addressed – whether through support, training, or policies that are specifically tailored to truck drivers. This survey will provide valuable insights into the driver community and highlight areas where we can continue to grow,” said Richard Frazer, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional driver with Walmart Transportation.

To participate in the survey, click here.

Source: Truckers News

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