MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — PeopleNet has released the names of the speakers who will address its user conference in August.

The PeopleNet User Conference 2008 is a transportation industry forum, and will run from Monday, Aug. 4 through Wednesday, Aug. 6 in Naples, Fla. Guest presenters will address the most challenging issues facing the trucking community, foremost among them fuel, the economy and regulatory changes, according to Brian McLaughlin, the executive vice-president of marketing, product and sales for PeopleNet.

The speakers are: Dan Murray, vice-president of research with the American Transportation Research Institute, Arlington, Va., who will address current economic conditions as they relate to truck transportation.

Kelly Sheckler of SmartWay, who will discuss the national and global fuel crisis. SmartWay is the public-private coalition concerned with the economic and environmental issues surrounding the use of fuels in the transportation sector. Members include the US Environmental Protection agency on one hand and; on the other, carriers, shippers, logistics companies and trade organizations.

Jeff Loftus from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is also speaking and will offer an update on current FMCSA programs, including wireless roadside inspections and a pending, new hours-of-service rule.

“We’re pleased to host the top experts on the subjects most important to the trucking community right now,” McLaughlin said. “Participants will certainly benefit from their insight.”

Beyond key speakers, the user conference offers three tracks for participants. The “industry expert track” will feature experts discussing industry challenges, including those noted above, and ways in which PeopleNet’s mobile communications and applications can help confront and control problems.

Two more practical tracks will take participants through the actual use of PeopleNet systems in transportation operations. One track, PeopleNet “university,” will offer practical, hands-on know-how, to less experienced system users. The PeopleNet “master’s track” will help more advanced users bring PeopleNet’s deeper capabilities to bear on their fleets for the optimum return on investment.

The August event will be the sixth PeopleNet annual user conference. In 2007, the conference outgrew its first home in Minneapolis and was held at a larger facility in Hilton Head, S.C. This year, the conference has moved to an even larger venue, the Naples Grand Beach Resort in Naples, Fla.