The transport market remains tough – as tough as some have seen it. And, the regulators are circling – high profile incidents and recent disturbing truck maintenance trends have Ministers and Government agencies revisiting the transport rulebook.
You can view these issues as being a crisis for the road transport industry or an opportunity – the opportunity for transport companies to build more resilient businesses, and for the industry and governments to work collaboratively to find ways to restore much needed faith in heavy vehicle accreditation and improved operational practices.
“Crisis or Opportunity” is the theme for the VTA Conference to be held at the Novotel Forest Resort in the picturesque central Victorian town of Creswick on Monday, 26th and Tuesday, 27th May 2014.
VTA Conferences aren’t your run-of-the-mill gabfests about policy and high-level strategy. We attract leading experts in their fields to leave conference delegates with valuable ideas, useful tools and timely business tips. Practical, take-home advice is what people want, and that’s what the VTA delivers.
The 2014 VTA Conference will cover:
• Managing incidents effectively, and, if necessary, handling any media positively.
• Assessing risk and building best practice business systems.
• Implementing best practice safety management.
• Learning about the latest in equipment and technology innovation to boost productivity and safety.
• Implementing best practice people and workforce management.
• Hearing about future logistics solutions, including the growth in rail freight, and future safety compliance initiatives.
Our line-up of speakers is first-class, including:
• Brendan Richards, Partner, Ferrier Hodgson. Brendan captivates audiences with his understandings of the financing industry’s links and attitudes to the transport industry.
• Paul Zennaro, Head of Media Relations, Shell Australia. Paul is an expert in crisis management, and how to stay ahead of any media situation that needs handling.
• Dr. Shane Richardson, Principal Forensic Engineer, Delta-V Experts, who is a leading expert on crash investigation and incident management.
• Experts from Michelin Australia and MaxiTRANS on innovations in tyre and equipment technologies to boost productivity and safety.
• Pippa Batchelor from 3M Traffic Management Division on advances in reflective tape technology and news on the Australian truck marking trials that the VTA is supporting strongly.
• Robert Adams, CEO, Transport Logistics Industry Skills Council on the 2014 transport and logistics Environmental Scan outcomes – where are the workforce and skills gaps, and what does industry need to do to attract, train and retain its future workforce?
• John Fullerton, CEO, Australian Rail Track Corporation, Maurice James, Managing Director, QUBE, and Colin Rees, Director, Ettamogah Rail Hub, on the challenges, barriers and growth prospects for interstate, regional and short haul freight rail.
• Senior representatives from VicRoads and the Victorian Department of Transport on unlocking future freight productivity, and opening up road and rail networks to more effectively handle the growing freight task.
• A stellar line-up of senior representatives from government strategic, regulatory and enforcement agencies, including NTC CEO, Paul Retter AM, and Peter Wells, Director Safety and Compliance, NSW Roads and Maritime Services. This Panel session will end the Conference on a high note as we debate heavy vehicle maintenance and accreditation issues, speeding and fatigue management, future changes to Chain of Responsibility obligations, and how industry and regulators need to collaborate to progress positive change.
If you really want to engage in the debate on all of these important issues, as well as have unparalleled opportunities to network with senior industry and government representatives in a collaborative atmosphere, you should book in to attend the VTA Conference 2014 via www.vta.com.au.