TORONTO, Ont. — For 80 years the Ontario Trucking Association has hosted an annual convention, which brings together trucking industry leaders from around the world for an event where ideas are exchanged, key issues are discussed and leading speakers and entertainers perform.

The 2006 annual convention marks the OTA’s 80th anniversary and will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on Nov. 16 and 17.

The annual convention attracts more than 4,000 attendees, with more than 1,000 attending the gala dinner. This year attendees will hear from some of North America’s leading carriers, transportation analysts and regulatory decision-makers on key issues affecting the business of trucking.

A New Products and Technology Showcase will also be featured at the conference.

A couple of popular returning sessions to the conference will include, What’s New at the Border featuring representatives from the crossings to share the latest news on matters that affect operations; and one of North America’s most knowledgeable financial trucking analysts, John Larkin gives the Wall Street Outlook For Trucking.

A few other sessions featured during the conference will include the fundamentals of strategic planning and success stories from leading carriers in Improving Profitability Through Strategic Planning; What is My Company Worth? – learn how Bay Street values a trucking company and the financial indicators that need attention to increase a companys value; and learn more about the Ontario Apprenticeship Program in Qualified Driver Shortage: Is the Ontario Apprenticeship Program Right for Me?

In a two-part session called Changing Cultures, Changing Thinking on Safety and Compliance, a panel of carriers guide delegates through management and technology strategies they have utilized that have revolutionized how their companies do business.

The Queen’s Park Address will be delivered by the Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield.

For further information or to register online, visit the OTA Web site at www.ontruck.org/convention.