CVTA 2026 Spring Conference Recap

Impact and Engagement at the CVTA 2026 Spring Conference:

If you weren't able to make it to Cape Coral this year, here's what you missed.

Two packed days, with some of the best conversations we've had yet about where this industry is headed, amid a room full of key industry professionals who aren't waiting around to see how things shake out. From the freight economy and carrier hiring to federal enforcement and the future of CDL training oversight, here's what happened.

DAY 1:

Opening the Conference

CVTA Board Chairman Jeff Burkhardt and Executive Director Andrew Poliakoff opened with the business meeting, providing an update on a host of CVTA's ongoing activities. These included: the expanding impact of the ELDT Task Force, member advocacy successes on Capitol Hill from CVTA's 2026 Advocacy Day, upcoming events, recent webinars and numerous CVTA committee advancements.

Recognitions and Highlights

The conference welcomed many new members into the CVTA community, including Advanced Career Education, Kindle Trucking School, TGA Truck Driving School, and The CDL Schools on the school side, and Acrisure, Trucker Path, and Ignyte by Yrefy as new associate members.

The group also took a moment to celebrate Donna Miller, with Liberty Career Finance, recently named to the Women in Trucking Association's 2026 Top Women to Watch in Trucking list.

Bringing Veterans into the Driver's Seat

Dave Harrison of FASTPORT updated the group on the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program. Now in its 11th year, the program awards a fully equipped Kenworth truck to a deserving veteran entering the trucking industry. The most recent recipient was Charles Jones Jr., a graduate of CVTA Member School Georgia Driving Academy. With over 40,000 service members informed about trucking careers through this initiative, the military community remains a strong source of prospective CDL students nationwide.

The State of the Freight Economy

Continuing the program, Jim Mullen of the Truckload Carriers Association and Emily Clayton, economist with the American Trucking Associations, brought the audience up to speed on the fragile but recovering economy and a variety of key indicators in the marketplace. 

Hearing from Industry Leaders

Building on the economic overview, a panel featuring David Parker, Founder & CEO of Covenant Logistics, and Karen Smerchek, President of Veriha Trucking, discussed how carriers of various sizes are adapting to current challenges and what they require from the training pipeline to continue progressing.

Hiring Trends: Straight from the Carrier Recruiters

Following the panel, a recruiter discussion with Tim Norlin from Roehl Transport, Lesley Vincent from Melton Truck Lines, and Tom Pietrzak from Werner Enterprises provided school operators with direct insights into the perspectives of major carriers that hire entry-level drivers. The discussion covered the qualities of a strong graduate, how carriers assess training school partnerships, and common challenges new drivers face in their initial weeks.

The PTDI Training Provider Safety Summit Is Coming

Sean Williams of Southwest Truck Driver Training and Samantha Greenberg of NETTTS previewed the PTDI Training Provider Safety Summit, which opens September 16 in Dallas. Supported by a federal CDLPI grant, the Summit aims to bring FMCSA, state licensing agencies, and training providers together to address the industry's most urgent topics.

FMCSA Speaks Directly to the Industry

The ELDT Task Force Panel featured Patrick Nemons, Director of the FMCSA's Office of Safety Programs, alongside CVTA Board Emeritus, Lou Spoonhour, and Martin Garsee of NAPFTDS, who provided a direct update on enforcement efforts. Mr. Spoonhour offered a critical history lesson on the driving role that CVTA played in the ELDT final rule alongside Mr. Garsee who added additional color on the ELDT Advisory Committee. Mr. Nemons addressed the agencies review process: FMCSA has been actively reviewing the Training Provider Registry, denying a significant portion of applicants, and removing locations that do not meet standards.

As discussed, Operation Driver Training: Phase 2 and beyond will reflect a continued and deepening level of enforcement, with closer examination of ELDT compliance, behind-the-wheel records, and the relationship between training providers and third-party testers. FMCSA will implement ongoing audits to maintain this oversight. The agency emphasized its support for compliant schools like those within CVTA, while making clear that broader scrutiny will continue.

Wellness & Education

Hope Zvara of Mother Trucker Yoga kept everyone moving between sessions with stretching breaks that were equal parts practical and well-timed. A good reminder that taking care of the people in this industry is part of the conversation too. Jake Manfield of Mobius also joined the conference to discuss the benefits of the multi-level Instructor Course with members.

DAY 2:

FMCSA Leadership Addresses the Group

On Day 2, Rebecca Pettit, FMCSA's Chief Counsel addressed the conference directly. Formerly working alongside Chief Derek Barrs at the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. Pettit's refreshing and candid presence, along with a full schedule of upcoming FMCSA visits to CVTA schools and carriers, underscored the agency's ongoing engagement with the training community. Ms. Pettit's presentation, joined afterwards for comments by CVTA Chairman Jeff Burkhardt, offered a clear indication that FMCSA has entered a new and dynamic phase under the leadership of Administrator Derek Barrs.

Closing Out the Program

Alix Miller of TSG Transportation Advisors (formerly the President of the Florida Trucking Association) wrapped up the conference's final session with a look at the critical issues facing the trucking sector, covering the policy and operational pressures that carriers and training providers alike will navigate in the months ahead.

Got FOMO? See You Sept. 16th-18th in the Fall!

Dallas is the place to be this fall. The PTDI Training Provider Safety Summit will offer a full day of programming starting the morning of Wednesday, September 16th and will bring together State Drivers Licensing Agencies, non-drivers licensing state agencies, and FMCSA alongside key trade associations, CVTA members and other industry stakeholders for discussions on TPR enforcement, third-party testing and reducing skills testing delays.

The Summit will conclude and go right into the CVTA 2026 Fall Conference with programming running Thursday, September 17 and the morning of Friday, September 18.

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