The Latest Industry News
Fuel Management Software Company QuikQ
Joins NATSO
2.25.2010
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
– QuikQ, a newly formed fuel transaction processing software
designer, joined NATSO, the national association representing truckstops
and travel plazas, at the highest level to work more closely with its
industry counterparts.
Ernie
Betancourt, President of the Franklin, Tenn.-based QuikQ, said QuikQ is
pleased to join NATSO to improve the trucking industry’s method of
processing diesel fuel transactions. "Since QuikQ is a startup company
with several patent applications intended to modernize the way the motor
carrier/truck stop relationship works, we know that having this kind of
access to the NATSO leadership will help us reach our mutual goals
successfully."
QuikQ is a
privately held software development company that will utilize 21st
century technology to improve the method to process diesel fuel
transactions as well as provide security measures to drastically reduce
fuel fraud. QuikQ offers a card-less direct fuel connection between the
truckstop point-of-sale systems and the motor carrier’s enterprise
management system. The software engine processing fuel transactions can
operate as on-premise software or in the software as a service (SaaS)
model. QuikQ’s product DFConnect™ is intended to reduce fuel
fraud, reduce or eliminate driver data entry, and provide new management
and marketing tools for the truckstop. Betancourt launched QuikQ in
December 2009 after selling Innovative Computing Corp.
QuikQ joins
NATSO at a time when the truckstop and travel plaza industry is tackling
such critically important issues as rising fuel prices and rising
interchange fees. The industry is working to ensure a viable retail
market for all truckstop and travel plazas nationwide. QuikQ is
committed to helping the truckstop and travel plaza industry face these
challenges.
Representatives
of QuikQ will attend The NATSO Show 2010 scheduled to be held Feb. 27 to
March 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.
NATSO President
and CEO Lisa Mullings welcomed NATSO’s newest member saying,
"QuikQ’s decision to join NATSO is an important addition to the
association." She praised the company for its willingness to take a
leadership role in NATSO as a Chairman's Circle member to improve its
business and the truckstop industry.
QuikQ provides new fuel processing
solutions connecting truck stops and travel plazas throughout the United
States with their customers in both the on-premise and software as a
service models.
Portage-Based
Owner-Operator Jim Goetz to Receive NATSO Hall of Fame Award,
First-Time, Second-Generation Winner in
Award History
2.10.2010
ALEXANDRIA,
VA—Travel plaza owner-operator and past NATSO chairman Jim
Goetz will receive the association’s Hall of Fame award at The
NATSO Show 2010 in Las Vegas, Nev., later this month, announced NATSO,
the trade association representing the truckstop and travel plaza
industry.
The Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals for
notable participation in their communities, the truckstop and travel
plaza industry and in NATSO. NATSO has presente the award only twice
since 2004. NATSO members nominate candidates for the award.
NATSO’s executive committee and past Hall of Fame recipients
select the winner.
As the owner-operator of Petro Travel Plaza in Portage,
Wisc., and vice president of Goetz Co., Goetz has served professional
drivers, the traveling public and NATSO for more than 20 years.
"Jim’s dedication to the travel plaza industry is
obvious through his countless volunteer hours and the sheer enthusiasm
he brings to the table. He wants to see everyone in the industry succeed
and is willing to share all he knows," said Scott Paulson, NATSO
chairman and owner of Watkins Co., which operates Tomahawk Auto Truck
Plazas in Colorado and Arizona.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award
than Jim. He leads by example, consistently demonstrating his strong
work ethic, personal integrity and sound judgment," added NATSO
President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "NATSO and its members have
greatly benefitted from Jim's involvement through the years, whether he
is advocating for the industry on Capitol Hill, chairing the board of
directors, or contributing his expertise to a NATSO working group."
Goetz served as NATSO’s chairman in 2006 and has
served on the executive committee and the board of directors. He also
served on the government affairs, education, information and research,
nominating, conventions, and budget and audit committees.
Goetz’s father, James Goetz, Sr., received the
Hall of Fame award in 1995. This marks the first second-generation
recipient in the history of the award.
NATSO will present the award to Goetz during the opening
session of The NATSO Show 2010 on Sat., Feb. 27 at Caesars Palace. The
session will include the joint panel discussion on The Future of
Trucking sponsored by Shell Lubricants. NATSO and the Truckload Carriers
Association (TCA) have partnered to present the panel of experts who
will discuss the critical issues facing trucking and their impact on the
truckstop and travel plaza industry in 2010 and beyond.
NATSO will host its annual show in Las Vegas Feb. 27 to
March 3 at Caesars Palace. The full lineup of speakers, exhibitors and
schedule appears at www.natsoshow.org.
Grocery and Foodservice Supply Chain
Solutions Provider McLane Joins NATSO
2.1.10
Alexandria, VA. McLane, a leading supply chain service company,
joined NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and
travel plazas, at the highest level to work more closely with its
industry counterparts.
Steve Brady, Vice
President, Sales Military and Convenience for the Temple, Texas-based
grocery and foodservice supply chain company, said McLane is pleased to
join NATSO to help play a role in finding solutions to the challenges
facing the truckstop industry.
"We view this organization
as a committed advocate and leading source of valuable information for
the truckstop and travel plaza industry," said Brady. "With a large
number of truckstop and travel plaza customers, combined with the fact
that McLane operates one of the nation's largest private fleets, we
fully support NATSO's mission to advance the success of this important
industry."
McLane joins NATSO at a
time when the truckstop and travel plaza industry is tackling such
critically important issues as the future of highway funding, rest area
commercialization, and rising interchange fees. The industry also is
working to ensure a viable retail market for diesel exhaust fluid,
required to help new model tractor trailers meet Environmental
Protection Agency emissions standards. McLane is committing to help the
truckstop and travel plaza industry face these challenges.
Representatives of McLane
will attend The NATSO Show 2010 scheduled to be held Feb. 27 to March 3
at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.
NATSO President and CEO
Lisa Mullings welcomed NATSO's newest member saying, "McLane's decision
to join NATSO is an important addition to the association." She praised
the company for its willingness to take a leadership role in NATSO as a
Chairman's Circle member to improve its business and the truckstop
industry.
McLane is a $34 billion
supply chain services leader, providing grocery and foodservice supply
chain solutions for thousands of convenience stores, mass merchants,
drug stores and military locations, as well as thousands of chain
restaurants throughout the United States. With 38 modern distribution
centers and one of the nation's largest private fleets, the company
optimizes the purchase, flow and sale of products from thousands of
suppliers to over 60,000 locations. Every year, McLane delivers more
than 10 billion pounds of merchandise in every state and county in the
U.S. The company also provides logistics services in Brazil and exports
to 34 countries around the world. McLane is a wholly owned unit of
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK) and employs 15,000 teammates
globally.
NATSO and TCA Team Up To Offer Joint Panel on the Future of
Trucking
1.27.10
ALEXANDRIA, VA. Tapping into two highly-anticipated
shows to create a must-attend event, NATSO, the trade association
representing the truckstop and travel plaza industry, and the Truckload
Carriers Association (TCA) announced today they will team up to offer a
special, joint panel discussion on The Future of Trucking during their
annual conferences in Las Vegas, Nev.
On Feb. 27, 2010, NATSO and TCA together will host a
panel of experts who will discuss the critical issues facing trucking
and their impact on the truckstop and travel plaza industry in 2010 and
beyond. The heavy-hitting roster includes U.S. Xpress Enterprises
co-chairman and president Pat Quinn, O&S Trucking, Inc. President
Jim ONeal, ACT Research partner and senior analyst Kenny Vieth, and
Ernie Betancourt, former president and CEO of Innovative Computing
Corporation and president of QuikQ LLC.
The transportation industry must continually transform
itself to remain competitive, said TCA President Chris Burruss. This
session allows opportunities for industry partners to exchange ideas and
promote innovations that will chart a roadmap back to profit for
everyones benefit.
Were crafting a powerhouse event with a clear message:
Now is the time to create your future, said NATSO President and CEO Lisa
Mullings. This is a pivotal moment to identify steps to take today to
prepare our industries for tomorrows opportunities.
NATSOs meeting will proceed concurrently with the TCA
annual meeting, enabling industry members to network with customers,
suppliers and thought-leaders all in one value-packed trip to Las Vegas.
NATSO will host its annual show in Las Vegas Feb. 27 to March 3 at
Caesars Palace. TCA is scheduled to host its 2010 annual convention at
the Wynn Las Vegas Resort Feb. 28 to March 3.
Sponsored by Shell Lubricants, The Future of Trucking
session is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 at Caesars Palace in Las
Vegas, Nev., and is open to all attendees who are registered for either
The NATSO Show or the TCA Annual Convention.
The NATSO Show is a catalyst for industry innovation,
annually delivering vital information, networking and a trade show
targeting the diverse constituency of the truckstop industry. The NATSO
Show 2010 marks the launch of NATSOs year-long celebration of its 50th
anniversary. The lineup of speakers, exhibitors and schedule appears at
www.natso.com.
The TCA Convention is a forum for truckload executives
and industry suppliers to gather to share ideas, network and solve
common management issues affecting the truckload industry. Approximately
1,500 industry representatives will convene Feb. 28 March 3, 2010, for
this 72nd annual event.
###
NATSO is the professional association of Americas travel
plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the
industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official
source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop
industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual
convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the
business climate in which its members operate.
The Truckload Carriers Association was founded in 1937
and has represented the interests of truckload carriers throughout the
United States and Canada. TCA members join with hundreds of other
transportation leaders working to ensure safe, high quality, reliable
and efficient truckload transportation services. TCA is the non-profit
association exclusively representing the truckload industry.
Midnight Trucking Radio Network To Broadcast Live
From NATSO Show 2010
1.12.10
Alexandria,
VA -- Eric Harley, host
of the Midnight Trucking Radio Network (MTRN), will once again broadcast
live from the NATSO Show 2010, March 1 and March 2 at
Caesars Palace in
Las Vegas, Nev.
Midnight Trucking Radio Network
will provide live information and interviews on key issues currently
affecting the truckstop industry. From tolling and credit card exchange
fees to diesel exhaust fluid and rest stop commercialization, MTRN will
feature views, analysis and general information on the industry from top
executives, leaders and suppliers within the truckstop world.
“Midnight Trucking Radio
is pleased to help bring NATSO’s critical messages to the
public,” Harley said. “Educating our listening audience
plays a key role in helping shape the future of the truckstop and travel
plaza industry.”
Attendees can visit the
MTRN broadcast booth during exhibit hall hours to learn
more about the issues
facing the industry as well as strong insight into solutions. To view
and listen to 2009’s broadcast interviews, go to http://rope.zmts.fimc.net/natso.
About The NATSO Show
2010
NATSO is the only
national trade association representing truckstops and travel
plazas. The
NATSO Show is its annual expo and conference. This year, truckstop and
travel plaza owners and operators will learn about new products and
services. The event is open only to registered travel plaza and
truckstop attendees and exhibitors. The NATSO Show 2010 will be held
at Caesars Palace in
Las Vegas, Nev., Feb.
27-March 3.
About MTRN
The Midnight
Trucking Radio Network is the
country’s national clearinghouse of information, thoughts and
opinions of the truck driver and fleet manager heard on 50,000 watt AM
stations across the country. Hosts Eric Harley and Gary McNamara engage
listeners and callers with the major issues of the day
including current events, legislation, popular culture, family issues,
truck driver news and information, detailed
national weather forecasts, safety tips
and interviews with trucking industry leaders. Owned and operated
by Citadel Broadcasting in partnership with the Walt Disney Co.,
Midnight Trucking Radio is celebrating 40 years of broadcast excellence
heard across the United States, Canada and
Mexico.
For more
information on MTRN
visit www.midnighttrucking.com.
For more information
contact:
Mindy Baker –
MTRN
Tiffany Wlazlowski - NATSO
(817)
695-0873 (703)
739-8578
Mindy.baker@citcomm.com twlazlowski@natso.com
NATSO
Hosts “Revolutionary Retail” at The NATSO
Show 2010
12.14.09
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Reaffirming its commitment to help the
nation’s truckstops and travel plazas forge their future through
innovative thinking, NATSO today announced it will host a series of
provocative thought leaders destined to inspire new ideas and business
solutions at its annual conference at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 27 to March 3.
NATSO unveiled a “Revolutionary
Retail” track of guest speakers who will illustrate how their
groundbreaking strategies can translate into bold new ideas for
strengthening the truckstop and travel plaza industry today while
building the businesses of tomorrow.
“NATSO is reaffirming its
commitment to aggressively advance the interests of the truckstop and
travel plaza community by maximizing opportunities for its
members,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings.
“Hosting these insightful thought leaders reflects our commitment
to ensuring that the next chapter of the truckstop and travel plaza
industry continues to build upon the past 50 years while embracing the
future.”
The “Revolutionary Retail”
track features four thought-provoking speakers who will identify key
strategies and recommendations for tapping into future-focused business
ideas.
- “Retail Superstars” author
George Whalin will share the tactics some of the most exciting and
interesting independent stores in America
are using to build their businesses into success stories despite facing
stiff competition from national players.
- Jeff Jarvis, author of the “What
Would Google Do?” will discuss how truckstops and travel plazas
can think outside the box to identify pioneering solutions to
industry-wide problems by harnessing the mindset of Internet giant,
Google.
- Retail marketing and sales guru Rick
Segel will illustrate how new technologies, including Twitter and
Facebook, can help truckstops and travel plazas improve customer
outreach and relationship-building, and ultimately business.
- Chris Harris, managing director of
Retail Strategies, will unveil new information on today’s
truckstop and travel plaza customers. This research will question old
assumptions about the industry’s customers, and about what those
consumers want. In an additional session, Harris will demonstrate
how retailers can apply revolutionary strategies based on understanding
the customer to optimize cooler sales and customer
satisfaction.
NATSO’s “Revolutionary
Retail” program marks just one of the educational tracks slated
for The NATSO Show. Additional thought leader sessions will
stimulate new thinking about such topics as the future of trucking,
financial management, negotiation skills and more.
NATSO’s annual show is a catalyst
for industry innovation, delivering vital information, networking and
business opportunities targeting the diverse constituency of the
truckstop industry. To register, click here.
NATSO Foundation Launches H1N1
Toolkit
11.09.09
ALEXANDRIA,
VA. –The NATSO Foundation today unveiled an online toolkit to
help truckstop and travel plaza owners and the motoring public prepare
for a potential disruption to business or travel plans due to an H1N1
outbreak.
Following the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’ guidelines recommending
that travelers and the businesses that cater to them create influenza
plans, the NATSO Foundation launched a Web-based
toolkit “H1N1 For No One.”
The kit draws on the top
recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental
Protection Agency. It is filled with
industry-specific information on minimizing exposure risks and
maintaining operations during a pandemic.
The kit also features
suggestions on developing staffing contingency plans, serving ill
travelers, and cleaning and sanitizing locations.The NATSO Foundation
created a customer handout that can be downloaded from the site to keep
professional drivers, fleet operators and travelers current on H1N1.
Additional sections within the kit cover business insurance, flu
vaccination clinics and best practices.
“Thousands of
travelers rely on truckstops and travel plazas daily for food and fuel.
We want the public to know that we are taking H1N1 seriously and are
making the necessary preparations so we can continue to provide the
level of service we are known for even if a pandemic occurs,”
said Lisa Mullings, president
of the NATSO Foundation.
The kit is available as a
public service and is free for all truckstop and travel plaza operators.
Learn more at www.natsofoundation.org.
###
The NATSO Foundation is the research,
education and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO, Inc. (the trade
association of America’s travel plaza
and truckstop industry). The mission of The NATSO Foundation is to
conduct research and create knowledge; to provide educational
opportunities to industry employees; and, to coordinate public outreach
programs which benefit the general public and enhance the
industry. The Foundation is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. For more information visit
www.natsofoundation.org.
NATSO AND BARJAN PARTNER
TO HOST A POWERHOUSE ANNUAL SHOW
ALEXANDRIA,
VA. – NATSO, the trade association representing the truck stop and
travel plaza industry, is pleased to announce that Barjan will host its
annual tradeshow in conjunction with NATSO’s 2010 annual show
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