Upbeat Truck Dealers Meet in Phoenix for Annual Convention and Expo

PHOENIX (April 14, 2011) – From reviewing the basics of business to the launch of a new program for the next generation of truck dealers, attendees of the American Truck Dealers (ATD) annual conclave this weekend will walk away with a wealth of ideas to rebuild their businesses, says Kyle Treadway, ATD chairman.

"The economic recovery appears to have kicked into gear, but we're mindful that it's a fragile one," said Treadway, who will meet with dealers at the ATD Convention and Expo, held this year in Phoenix April 15-18. "Threats of spiraling fuel prices, inflationary pressures and the federal budget crisis could derail this locomotive as it begins to build some steam."

Keynote speakers during the four-day conference at the Phoenix Convention Center include Treadway; Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations; and Donald Broughton, senior research analyst and managing director of Avondale Partners LLC. Political analyst Charlie Cook will headline the first-ever general session covering legislative and regulatory affairs.

"Dealers need to remain vigilant with their cash management, inventory control and personnel management, and they cannot do it alone," said Treadway, president of Kenworth Sales Company in West Valley City, Utah.

Treadway says the ATD convention provides dealers and their managers with critical support to help improve their business operations, formalize an action plan and find out about best practices from their peers.

Thirteen workshop sessions—covering federal regulatory issues, marketing, social media and other business issues—will be offered to help dealerships better prepare for the economic rebound.

"We're also encouraging dealers who attend the convention to participate in and actively influence the political process which has rocked our world this past decade," Treadway said. "It's time to be bullish on our economy and that means asserting ourselves into the regulatory and legislative process."

For more information, visit www.ATDconventionandexpo.org.

About ATD: The American Truck Dealers (ATD) division of the National Automobile Dealers Association, established in 1970, represents nearly 2,000 medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers with about 3,000 franchises, both domestic and international. For more information, visit www.ATD.org.