SASKATOON, Sask. — One of the world’s leading authorities on managing human fatigue in transportation, will be headlining the 71st annual general meeting of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) to be held Oct. 17-18.

Dr. Mark Rosekind, the president and chief scientist of Alert Solutions of Cupertino, California, will deliver the opening morning’s plenary session entitled: ‘Commercial Driver Fatigue – Challenges and Solutions.’ An internationally-recognized scientific expert, Rosekind’s client list includes NASA’s Ames Research Centre, American Airlines, Union Pacific Railroad, NAV Canada, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

As an added feature of this year’s annual general meeting, the STA will stage a driver appreciation kick-off breakfast, featuring another well-known friend of the truck transport industry: Dan Baker of San Antonio, Texas.

“The breakfast allows transport companies to treat their drivers and others to a healthy meal, and Dan Baker’s southern-style, which focuses on the importance of our drivers,” said the executive director of the STA, Al Rosseker.

In moving to attract more of the industry to its annual convention, the STA states that it has adopted an approach that other truck transport associations across Canada have found success with.

“Greater emphasis is being added to the human resources side of the business, while maintaining a broad mix of industry topics,” said Rosseker.

Luncheon speakers will include Jon Schubert, the president of SGI Canada and Dale Botting of EnterpriseSask. Representatives from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will also be on-hand.

Saturday night’s gala Awards banquet will feature Canadian Country Music Association entertainer of the year, Brad Johner in concert.

Assembling a more diverse convention agenda has resulted in added registration costs, so the STA is offering flexibility through full package and “a la carte” pricing that allows delegates to pick and choose what sessions they will attend. This will offer savings to companies sending more than one person to various events taking place, according to the STA.

The convention will offer owners, managers, drivers, and support staff a broad cross section of issues facing the Saskatchewan trucking industry. Panels of speakers will delve into drivers’ health issues, safety priorities, crime prevention, new technology, and staff recruitment.

For more information about the STA AGM, which takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon, refer to the STA Web site at www.sasktrucking.com/ or call 306-569-9696.