ICSA is There: Updates from the CVSA and ATA Conferences

ICSA knows that the best way to keep up to date with industry news is to be involved with industry trade groups. Over the last month, ICSA representatives attended the annual conferences for both the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Here’s the latest news that you need to know:

• The major news at the CVSA conference was the appointment of Sean Duffy as FMCSA Director. The industry, including ICSA, is excited about this appointment. With Mr. Barr’s background in enforcement and knowledge of the industry, he is expected to act quickly on critical issues. He will consider both safety and the needs of the industry as he guides the administration through the changing regulatory environment.
• Of course, the economy dominated the conversation at the ATA conference. According to ATA President Chris Spears, capacity has increased for three straight years while demand has been down. Obviously, we are all hopeful that the trends normalize in 2026, but it is unclear if that will happen.
• The administration and regulatory environment were also discussed. The Trump administration has done great things for the industry from the standpoint of regulations; however, the tariffs have hurt freight availability. The tariffs on truck and truck equipment have led to higher prices for the industry. The Association has attempted to object to the tariffs while not harming the relationships that have been built with the administration.
• Both conferences discussed English Language Proficiency and nondomiciled CDL’s. As ICSA has described in detail in prior newsletters, these issues continue to dominate headlines. Cargo theft was also discussed as the industry looks for ways to combat the problem that costs the industry $6.6B annually, with losses still growing.