TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Trucking Association has announced the line-up for its annual convention and general meeting, titled “Leadership, Inspiration and Empowerment.”

The after experimenting with a single-day format last year, the conference is returning once again to a one-and-a-half-day format, Nov. 17-18 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Toronto.
 
Organizers say the line-up of sessions is designed to reflect what the industry learned over the last year while looking ahead to the challenges and unique market and technological opportunities that await Canadian motor carriers in 2012 and beyond.
 
Highlights of the program include:

– CBC’s senior business correspondent, Amanda Lang will host a panel discussion with a group of premier carriers (Celadon, Vitran and Contrans) on the prevailing business issues.
 
– The Economic and Financial Outlook will spotlight next year’s US federal election and how those results might impact both the US economy as well as Canadian fleets’ cross-border operations. Other experts will deliver reports on US and Canadian economic trends for 2012.
 
– A “Linked In” session will highlight the uses of social media and what it means for fleet managers and staff.
 
– Hockey legend, philanthropist and businessman Lanny McDonald will provide the keynote speech at the Leadership Breakfast on Friday morning.
 
– The ‘Power of Hope, Vision and Action’ luncheon will feature Frank O’Dea’s rags-to-riches story, detailing his move from living on the street to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur, founding numerous businesses, including The Second Cup and ProShred Security.
 
– Styx lead vocalist Lawrence Gowan will close the event with a performance at the gala reception and dinner.