The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers may have held its annual convention in a city nicknamed Cow Town and closed out the convention with a trip to Billy Bob's honky-tonk.
But in spite of the local trappings, the convention program was national — even international — in scope.
For example, the association brought in the head of Canada's recently implemented program that speeds up the process of sending trailers into Canada. And while Texas is hardly the epicenter of corrosion caused by snow and ice controlled chemicals, the program featured a detailed presentation on ways trailer manufacturers can make their products more resistance to the deadly road salts that send aluminum and steel to an early grave.
As usual, the association honored industry leaders and industry servants. Among them, Mike Skoglund, winner of the NATM Outstanding Member Award; Aluminum Line Products, winner of NATM's Outstanding Associate Member of the Year Award; and Big Tex Trailers, recipient of the Green Manufacturing Award.
Plans are already underway for the next one — February 20-22 in Charleston, South Carolina.