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Record-Breaking TRALA 2012 Annual Meeting Reflects Economic Upturn

Alexandria, VA – March 23, 2012 – The Truck Renting and Leasing Association's (TRALA) 2012 Annual Meeting, held March 12-15 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California, was one of the association's biggest meetings in recent years. TRALA had 276 member attendees present for the four-day meeting, which was a 20 percent increase over 2011 and over 100 percent from 2010.


This year's All-Conference Assembly held on March 14 included a keynote address from General Barry McCaffrey, who presented on Iran, Nukes, and Oil:  The Gulf Confrontation and the Coming Six Challenges to National Security.  The industry keynote presentation was from Dennis Slagle, executive vice president of Volvo Group Truck Sales and Marketing Americas.

 
“We were very pleased with the event growth and overall positive atmosphere during this year's meeting,” said president and CEO Tom James.  “The increase in attendance was a reflection of the improving market and economy as the renting and leasing industry continues to lead the way to an economic recovery.”


Other highlights from TRALA's Annual Meeting included a business session with a panel of experts on the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel.  The panel included presentations followed by a lengthy question and answer session involving the politics, infrastructure needs, economic benefits and manufacturer's perspective of this emerging alternative fueling option. During Thursday's Awards Dinner, Tom Brown, President for Brown NationaLease was selected as 2012-2013 TRALA Chairman and received the gavel from outgoing chairman, Terence Dubowick, National Accounts Manger for Mack Leasing/Volvo Truck Leasing System.  The dinner concluded with the 2012 presentation of the Driver of the Year Award which was awarded to James Estepp of Ryder System, Inc.


The 2013 Annual Meeting is set for March 11-14, 2013 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, in Naples, Florida.  Online registration opens at TRALA.org in November.


About TRALA


TRALA, based in Alexandria, VA, is a voluntary, non-profit national trade association, organized in 1978 to provide a unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA's membership includes more than 500 leasing and rental firms and 100 suppliers that make up nearly the entire truck renting and leasing industry. The renting and leasing industry is responsible for approximately 35 percent of all new Class 3 through 8 commercial truck registrations.


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