Petty: NPTC's National Safety Conference benchmarks safety excellence
Key takeaways
- The NPTC National Safety Conference is taking place Sept. 9-11 in Florida
- Conference sessions focus on safety management, driver coaching, and technology integration.
- The conference will feature the National Driver All-Star recognition program honoring top-performing drivers across the industry.
- Data from the 2026 Benchmarking Survey will highlight why private fleets are significantly safer than the overall trucking industry.
The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) National Safety Conference, scheduled for September 9-11 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, is a value-packed two-day forum that offers expert fleet presentations, problem-solving case studies, safety-in-the-round breakout sessions, National Driver All-Star recognition, a premium-grade exhibit hall of new top products and services, and exceptional networking opportunities.
Cathy Gautreaux, deputy assistant secretary, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is the keynote speaker at the conference, addressing the latest federal motor carrier safety laws and significant regulatory changes affecting compliance enforcement with drivers and carriers. Gautreaux formerly served over 30 years as executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and a fully commissioned detective for the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.
Topics and speakers at the show provide the most relevant, up-to-date safety information available in the industry. In the opening session of the event, an expert panel will discuss the private fleet industry’s major safety priorities and how to build a culture of safety excellence, focusing on effective driver coaching strategies, scorecarding driver safety performance, and maintaining high safety standards.
“The safety conference attendee numbers have more than doubled since I first joined NPTC in 2009. Repeat fleet and allied/supplier members return year after year, joined by many first-timers," Mari Roberts, CTP, newly elected chair of the NPTC board of directors and SVP of the NA Supply Chain COEs, said. "This show is one of the best things NPTC does for the membership.”
“This is the premier annual safety summit of the private fleet industry. We learn the latest, best-proven safety management protocols, benchmarking standards, and innovative technologies. Our best takeaways from the experience are the most successful overall safety management strategies that have been put into actual practice,” said Kate Mirise, CTP, NPTC board member and safety committee chair, as well as transportation manager of the Royal Group.
Safety-in-the-round breakout sessions are highly popular, covering topics such as driver reward and recognition, data integration strategies, building driver acceptance of active safety technologies, the ROI case for premium spec’ing of safety equipment, alternative-energy vehicles, and the advantages of recruiting drivers from within the company.
Data presented in NPTC’s 2026 Benchmarking Survey Report by NPTC EVP Tom Moore, CTP, analyzes key performance metrics related to private safety, as reported by a broad cross-section of private fleet companies across a wide range of industries and markets. Emphasis will be placed on safety practices and management protocols that explain why private fleets consistently average lower DOT recordable accidents per million miles—achieving a record year after year that is three times safer than the overall trucking industry.
Rick Schweitzer, NPTC general counsel and government affairs representative, will present a live edition of the Washington Report, sponsored by Centerline Drivers. This legislative and regulatory update highlights safety-related issues of importance to private fleets.
A unique feature of this year’s conference is a mock trial of a commercial vehicle accident conducted by NPTC Institute board member Doug Marcello, shareholder of Saxton & Stump (an NPTC Five-Star member company), a leading law firm representing trucking companies in major litigation cases.
NPTC’s National Driver All-Star recognition program, sponsored by International, will take place on September 10. More than 25 drivers from a wide range of private fleet member companies will be honored this year. The awards are presented to drivers who have demonstrated exemplary performance compared to their peers throughout the country. Driver performance is assessed in customer service, safety records, adherence to company policies, regulatory compliance, and community service.
To become an All-Star honoree, candidates must demonstrate the characteristics, skills, and attitudes that enable their private fleets to deliver exceptional service, top safety performance, and world-class operational standards.
Rave reviews were typical of last year’s safety conference:
“The show had exceptionally strong speakers and breakout sessions.”
“It was awesome hearing people share their stories of safety excellence.”
“This is one of the best safety-related exhibit halls in the industry.”
“Member contacts and networking are just amazing. Can’t wait to come back in 2026!”
Register today. The National Safety Conference is designed to help your fleet stay on a winning safety path for the long haul.
About the Author
Gary Petty
Gary Petty has more than three decades of experience as a CEO of national trade associations in the trucking industry. Since 2001, he has served as president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council, the national trade association founded in 1939, representing the private motor carrier industry. Petty is the Private Fleet Editor and columnist for FleetOwner, where he writes monthly articles about successful managers and business models in the private fleet market.