The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) brought trucking professionals together in Dallas this week for its 2026 Accelerate! Conference & Expo, featuring discussions on highway safety, freight market conditions, emerging technology, and career development.
Held at the Hilton Anatole from October 25–28, the conference featured educational programming, industry speakers and an exhibition of commercial vehicles and transportation technology. Organizers had expected more than 1,000 attendees, with over 50 educational sessions, more than 125 speakers and upwards of 160 sponsors and exhibitors.
Industry Leaders Address Trucking’s Future
J.B. Hunt Transport CEO Shelley Simpson was among the featured speakers, with a Monday keynote titled “Future-Ready Leadership.” The presentation was scheduled to address changes in transportation, professional advancement, and the development of future industry leaders.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek Barrs was also part of the keynote lineup. Barrs, who was confirmed as administrator in October 2025, previously served as chief of the Florida Highway Patrol and held leadership positions with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Freight market conditions were another major focus of the conference, with Eric Starks, chairman of FTR Transportation Intelligence, scheduled to present “The State of Freight: Forces Reshaping Trucking and Supply Chain.”
The session examined issues expected to influence trucking into 2027, including freight volumes, capacity, rates, operating costs, and economic pressures affecting the transportation industry.
The keynote program also included Montiqua Mathers-Pettway, founder of People First Consulting, whose presentation addressed leadership expectations and the challenges women face in transportation workplaces.
Safety and Technology Take Center Stage
The conference’s educational program addressed several issues affecting professional drivers and motor carriers, including highway safety, regulatory compliance, freight fraud and driver recruitment.
Sessions also examined the growing use of artificial intelligence in fleet operations, with discussions covering safety performance, risk management, and transportation technology.
FMCSA priorities were part of the agenda, alongside strategies for improving highway safety and adapting to regulatory developments.
Professional drivers were represented through “Ask the Driver: Real Conversations with the WIT Image Team,” a session featuring perspectives from women working behind the wheel.
Commercial Vehicles Featured at the Expo
The Accelerate! Expo brought together truck and trailer manufacturers, motor carriers, technology providers and businesses offering transportation-related products and services.
A featured attraction was the Truck & Technology Tour, planned to include more than 20 tractors and trailers. The display focused on commercial equipment and developments involving advanced safety systems, artificial intelligence, and connected fleet technologies.
Exhibitors also represented driver recruiting, insurance, financial services and truck stop amenities, giving attendees access to companies serving different areas of the trucking industry.
Recognizing Women in Transportation
Alongside the educational programming, Accelerate! highlighted the contributions of women working throughout the trucking industry.
The conference included recognition associated with WIT’s Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation and Top Women to Watch initiatives, reflecting the association’s continued focus on professional opportunities and advancement.
Networking events also provided opportunities for drivers, fleet representatives, and other transportation professionals to connect. The program included a driver-focused gathering, an expo reception, and additional activities throughout the week.
More information about the annual event is available through the Women In Trucking Association’s official Accelerate! Conference & Expo website.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: October 28, 2026
Source: The Trucker
Image Source: Linda Garner-Bunch/ The Trucker
