Refrigerated Meeting
July 14–16, 2021 — Albuquerque. The Truckload Carriers Association brought together refrigerated transport professionals for three days of sessions, networking, and industry insights.
View SponsorsMeeting Schedule
All times and sessions as originally published for the 2021 Refrigerated Meeting.
| Day | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 14 | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception Sponsored by McLeod Software |
| 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Reception & Dinner Sponsored by Thermo King |
|
| Thursday, July 15 | 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Sponsored by Vanguard Trucking |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Trucking in the Round: IT Malware and Ransomware — Is Your Fleet Protected? Cybercriminals continually evolve; session covered defense strategies for carriers. |
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| Friday, July 16 | — | General sessions and closing programming |
Safety and security are foundational priorities across the truckload events community, where industry professionals gather to share best practices and emerging protocols. Whether at a national conference or a regional meeting, attendees find sessions dedicated to driver well-being, cargo protection, and regulatory compliance. These conversations help carriers and suppliers alike stay ahead of evolving standards, ensuring that every load reaches its destination without incident. The collaborative atmosphere encourages open dialogue about real-world challenges, from loading dock procedures to overnight parking strategies. By making safety a central theme, these events reinforce a culture of vigilance and mutual support that benefits the entire supply chain.
For carriers attending truckload events, security goes far beyond physical safeguards. Cybersecurity has become a critical topic, with experts addressing how to protect fleet data, electronic logging systems, and customer information from increasingly sophisticated threats. Workshops and panel discussions explore practical steps that small and large operations can take to strengthen their digital defenses. Attendees leave with actionable insights on everything from password policies to incident response planning. These knowledge-sharing opportunities help the industry build resilience against disruptions that could compromise operations or damage hard-earned reputations.
Driver safety programs receive considerable attention at truckload industry gatherings, reflecting the central role that professional drivers play in the success of every carrier. Sessions highlight innovative training techniques, fatigue management strategies, and the latest in-vehicle safety technologies. Attendees learn how leading fleets are reducing accidents through better route planning, load securement practices, and wellness initiatives that keep drivers healthy on the road. The exchange of ideas between peers often sparks improvements that ripple across the industry, raising the bar for safety performance and demonstrating the collective commitment to protecting everyone who shares the highway.
Cargo theft prevention is a recurring focus at truckload events, where security professionals share intelligence on emerging threats and effective countermeasures. Discussions cover the full journey of a load, from secure facility access to tamper-evident seals and real-time tracking systems. Attendees gain a deeper understanding of how to identify high-risk shipments, vet third-party brokers, and build layered security strategies that deter theft before it happens. The collaborative environment allows carriers to learn from incidents others have experienced, turning individual lessons into industry-wide knowledge that helps protect valuable freight and maintain customer trust.
The emphasis on safety and security at truckload events extends into the planning of the events themselves. Organizers work closely with venues and local authorities to ensure that meeting spaces, parking areas, and loading zones meet rigorous standards. Attendees can focus on networking and learning, knowing that their equipment and personal belongings are well protected. This attention to detail reflects the same professionalism that carriers bring to their daily operations. By modeling best practices in event security, the industry demonstrates that safety is not just a topic for discussion but a value that guides every decision, from the conference floor to the open road.
Featured Keynote
Ben Barnes, VP of IT Services / CISO at McLeod Software, addressed the evolving threat of cybercriminals and practical ransomware defense strategies for truckload fleets.
Keynote DetailsMeeting Sponsors
Major supporters of the 2021 Refrigerated Meeting included McLeod Software, Thermo King, Vanguard Trucking, Carrier Transicold, Coretex, Hendrickson, PLM, and Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.
Full Sponsor List