CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The 2004 Truck Technology Conference has been scheduled for March 28-30 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown.

The technology conference began in the early 1980s as Eastern Canada’s fleet maintenance seminar but over the years has changed its name to more accurately describe what the conference entails.

Past conferences have attracted close to 250 participants from all over the Atlantic region, said Ralph Boyd, president of the Atlantic Province’s Trucking Association.

“It has to do with getting a group of people together that we don’t normally see at our other functions, so it is totally focused on the management of the fleet, whether it be from the maintenance or service side or about new innovations that come into the company,” he said.

The conference draws many representatives from engine manufacturers and component and accessory companies, Boyd said, adding the current prevalence of extra components on commercial vehicles help trucking companies conduct their business more cost efficiently and effectively.

“Trucks run up and down the road, how are they communicated with? How are they guided? These systems will be addressed. The preventative maintenance of the vehicle – how are we surviving today with the onslaught of the emissions regulations and how do we still maintain margins and continue to have our trucks operate? All of these things will be discussed,” said Boyd.

The conference runs every second year, in the off year of the Atlantic Truck Show. In 2002, the focus of the conference was engines and the 2003 emissions requirements. Next year a component of the conference will deal with the requirements for 2007, said Boyd.

“I think it is extremely important to keep our members abreast of what is going on in the industry and of advancements in technology but we have to address these areas with an eye to what will impact their cost of operating,” he said.

While planning is still underway for this event, topics such as engines, transmissions, satellite tracking and modified vehicles are being looked at as part of the conference curriculum.

The Associated Trades Council of the APTA conducted a survey in November asking fleet managers, service and fleet maintenance personnel which subjects they would like to have covered at the conference. Speakers and panelists will be selected accordingly.

For more information on the conference, visit www.apta.ca or call 506-855-2782.