NDMCA 81st Annual Convention and Trade Show

Description

81st Annual NDMCA Convention

September 1-2, 2026 | Alerus Center
1200 S 42nd St, Grand Forks, ND

Celebrate 81 years of leadership, safety, and progress in North Dakota’s trucking industry at the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association’s 81st Annual Convention!

Join us September 1–2, 2026 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks for two days of connection, insight, and celebration with industry leaders from across the state.

The convention kicks off Tuesday evening with a fun and interactive networking event at Northern Air Action Park (1600 32nd Ave S, Grand Forks, ND). Enjoy indoor kart racing, axe throwing, laser tag, great food, and plenty of time to connect with peers and industry partners in a relaxed setting.

Wednesday features a full day of learning, leadership, and industry updates at the Alerus Center. We’re excited to announce Brian Fielkow. Brian is an engaging speaker, author, and mentor—he has presented internationally to tens of thousands of people on building vibrant company and safety cultures. Additionally, he has authored books and articles on industry, company, and safety culture. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, and other national publications. Additional speakers will be announced soon.

The day will include vendor networking, engaging presentations, and discussions focused on strengthening safety, leadership, and operational excellence.

We’ll conclude the event with our Annual Safety Awards Banquet, recognizing the companies and individuals who continue to raise the bar for safety and professionalism across North Dakota.

Mark your calendar now—this is one you won’t want to miss.

Featured Speakers

Brian Fielko-
www.brianfielkow.com
Brian is an accomplished senior executive with more than three decades of experience leading and transforming multi-million-dollar organizations. Known for driving strong corporate strategy, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, he is equally passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering a strong, sustainable safety culture.


Randy Clifford, ATA Chairman, American Trucking Association
Randall ("Randy") J. Clifford is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ventura Transfer Company, a family-owned business he has led since 1987 after joining the company full-time in 1980. Founded in 1869, Ventura Transfer has grown into a leading provider of tank truck transportation, rail transloading, and bulk liquid logistics, serving the western United States and northern Mexico.

Randy has dedicated nearly four decades to advancing the trucking industry through leadership and advocacy. He has served on the California Trucking Association Board since 1989, was its President in 2002, and has held numerous leadership positions with the American Trucking Associations (ATA), including Vice Chairman beginning in 2024. He also serves on the boards and executive committees of several national trucking organizations, including the National Tank Truck Carriers, where he served as Chairman from 2022–2023.

ND Insurance Department
 Hear the latest from the North Dakota Insurance Department on insurance trends, regulatory developments, and issues of interest to motor carriers and transportation businesses.

FMCSA Update
Receive the latest updates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on regulatory developments, enforcement priorities, and initiatives affecting motor carriers and commercial drivers.

From Reactive to Proactive: Using AI to Strengthen Fleet Safety This session will explore how fleets are using AI, in-cab cameras, and driver scorecards to shift from reactive safety management to proactive coaching. Topics may include driver buy-in, implementation challenges, use of data, and the impact on safety outcomes and insurance.

Indoor karting
Craving the rush of real racing? Northern Air Action Park features North Dakota’s most exciting indoor go-kart track—complete with LED lights, sharp turns, and high-speed straightaways that test your skills and fuel your need for speed.

Laser Tag
Step into our immersive, sci-fi arena where lights, thumping soundtracks, and interactive bases turn every match into a showdown. Form alliances or go solo in multi-round missions designed for all ages. Accurate vests, rapid reloads, and dynamic game modes mean no two battles are ever the same.

Axe Throwing
Test your aim and unleash your competitive side in our single or double throwing lanes. Ideal for date nights, team-building, or proving bragging rights with friends.

Bring the family! Contact NDMCA for more info.

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  Tuesday, 9-1-2026
Vendor set-2pm-4pm

6-9pm- NDMCA Night Out at Northern Air Action Park
Sponsored BY: Bauer Built Tire, Dixon Insrurance and Interstate Truck Licensing, EW Wylie, Fargo Freightliner, Great West Casualty Company, Holland Enterprises LLC, IState Truck Center, Jobbers Moving and Storage, Johnsen Trailer, Sales, Knife River Cooperation, Magnum Companies, Midland Garage Door, North Central International, Pro Transport and Leasing, Wallwork Financial
Social Sponosred By: Fargo Freightliner, Foks Freightliner, IState Truck Center

Wednesday, 9-2-2026                 

7 a.m. Leadership breakfast
Sponsored BY: Johnsen Trailer Sales

8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks

8:15 a.m. . – Keynote ATA Chairman Randy Clifford, American Trucking Association

9:00 Brian Fielko, Safety From the C-Suite,” Discover how executive leadership shapes safety culture and learn practical strategies to reduce risk, strengthen operations, and improve business performance. SPONSORED BY Workforce Safety & Insurance

10:30- Vendor Networking Break: SPONSORED BY Magnum Companies Pro Transport and Leasing

11:00am- Industry Segment Meetings

11:45 p.m. – Member Lunch

12:15 p.m. – ND Insurance Department Hear the latest from the North Dakota Insurance Department on insurance trends, regulatory developments, and issues of interest to motor carriers and transportation businesses.

1:15-2:00p.m. – FMCSA Update-Receive the latest updates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on regulatory developments, enforcement priorities, and initiatives affecting motor carriers and commercial drivers.

2:15-3:15 p.m. - From Reactive to Proactive: Using AI to Strengthen Fleet Safety This session will explore how fleets are using AI, in-cab cameras, and driver scorecards to shift from reactive safety management to proactive coaching. Topics may include driver buy-in, implementation challenges, use of data, and the impact on safety outcomes and insurance.

Panel Discussion-
Rocco Marrari, Pedigree Technologies-Moderator
Trevor Monilaws, Hofmann Trucking
Nikki Williams, F&M Transport
Rick Maidens, Great West Casualty Company
Ben Sand, Workforce Safety and Insurance.

3:15 p.m. – Vendor Networking Break SPONSORED BY Allstate Peterbilt Group, Holland Enterprises LLC, Magnum Companies Midwest Motor Express, Pro Transport and Leasing

3:45 p.m. – Annual Board Meeting and Foundation Meeting

5 p.m. – Last chance vendor networking

6 p.m. – Awards Banquet Social, Sponsored by: North Central International

7 p.m – Annual Safety Awards Banquet Sponsored By, Dixon Insurance and Interstate Truck Licensing, Great West Casualty Company

Event concludes around 9pm, tear down will begin

Platinum Sponsors
Great West Casualty Company
Dixon Insurance and Interstate Truck Licensing

Gold Sponsors
Fargo Freightliner
Forks Freighliner
Johnsen Trailer Sales
Magnum Companies
North Central International LLC
Pro Transport and Leasing Inc.
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

Silver Sponsors
Allstate Peterbilt Group
Butler Machinery
EW Wylie
IState Truck Center
RDO Truck Center
Wallwork Financial
Wallwork Truck Center

Event Sponsors
Bauer Built Tire
Jobbers Moving and Storage
Midland Garage Door
TMI Transport Corporation