TUCSON—While the official pitch for the 84th TTMA Annual Convention here was “Navigating the Next Turn: AI, Policy, Safety & Performance in a Shifting Market,” outgoing chairman Alan Briley explained the simplified version: “Weather the slump and win the surge.”

“I think we're all weathering different storms. I don't care which segment of our industry you're in right now, we can all probably agree that trailer market, in general, is not what I would consider extremely healthy—and we’re not really sure when it will be,” Briley, president of Fontaine Trailer, said in opening the convention’s first general session April 30. “Maybe it’s not as bad as it was in some segments, and then for some of you, particularly in the van segment, we just sympathize with what you are dealing with.

“I think in these times it's most important for us to be a unified voice for the industry. We're not ever going to agree on everything—some of us disagree pretty strongly with others at times—but when things are bad or challenging, as they are right now, that is the time that is most important that we represent as a unified voice.”

Briley also noted 77 first-time attendees at this year’s convention.

“You are the future of our organization,” Briley said. “Some of us are getting closer to the finish line than we are to the starting point, so we need to continue to replenish our ranks.”

Incoming TTMA Chair Corey Kirk, chief engineer at Tremcar, used his opening remarks to recognize the convention planning committee and to encourage TTMA members to get involved in any of the organization’s committees.

“To my fellow engineers, don't worry—it doesn't mean you have to speak in front of hundreds of people, but it can lead to that,” Kirk said. “We also have product liability, where we discuss all the potential legal issues facing the industry, federal excise tax assistance, and the government relations committee, which is very relevant these days. And of course, our plant safety committee can help, obviously, with your compliance and getting people home safe.

“The bottom line, the more that you're involved, the more you'll receive from your membership.”

Value of engagement

At the closing banquet May 2, Briley mentioned that he had chatted with the banquet’s featured speaker, Fox News host, historian, and author Brian Kilmeade, about the various organizations he addresses, such as TTMA.

“He said that he finds them very patriotic, typically, which obviously plays into his message,” Briley recalled, then drew the banquet’s biggest laugh and round of applause. “I thought, how patriotic can we be? I mean, we’ve got a Canadian coming in to take over the board, and he's got a USA shirt on. I think that says something.”

In stepping down, Briley recalled a career arc that included growing up around and then working in his father's trailer dealership, before moving into sales with leading industry suppliers and finally to Fontaine Trailer.

“Sometimes God takes a little bit of skill and a little bit of talent and a little bit of want-to, and gives us the opportunity to make a difference beyond anything that we could ever imagine, and be involved in things that we could never imagine being involved with,” Briley said. “That's what happened to me. I believe that in this organization, in this room, there's a whole lot of people that have a lot of talent, and we've got a lot of passion about our industry, and we've got a lot of, a lot of want-to.

“Collectively we can make a difference in our industry.”

Similarly, Bob Montgomery, outgoing associates’ committee chair and VP of sales and marketing for Walther Engineering and Manufacturing, praised the convention planning committee, the board, and TTMA staff—along with the industry suppliers that help sponsor the convention.

“I’ve got so many people that are on the trail to this podium tonight that I've been working with on the committees—just some great people,” Montgomery said. “One thing that seems constant here is there's a high level of camaraderie and collaboration among people who ruthlessly try to pick each other's pockets every other day. We stand here and laugh together and learn together for a few days, so it's really nice. I really love that about this place.

“So let's keep that tradition going. Being part of this organization really builds those special friendships.”

The 85th TTMA Annual Convention is set for April 21-24, 2027 in Bonita Springs, Florida.