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The Official Newsletter of Louisiana's Trucking Industry |
February 27, 2026 |
UPCOMING EVENTS |
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THIS WEEK |
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NEW MEMBERS |
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ASSOCIATION UPDATES |
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2026 LMTA Seafood Gala: Secure Your Sponsorships & Tickets! |
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Maximize Your Visibility – Become a Seafood Gala Sponsor! The 2026 LMTA Seafood Gala is right around the corner and represents your opportunity to highlight your company while supporting Louisiana’s trucking industry. As LMTA’s premier networking event and largest annual gathering, the Seafood Gala brings together carrier executives, allied members, and industry leaders from across the state for one unforgettable evening. This year’s event will be held at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans, providing a unique and high-visibility setting for meaningful industry connections. Sponsorships provide valuable exposure at one of LMTA’s most anticipated events, allowing your company to promote its business while engaging directly with key decision-makers. Each sponsorship level combines event access and company visibility into one package, with complimentary tickets included as part of your investment. Sponsorship Levels:
These exclusive sponsorship opportunities include event signage, complimentary tickets, and the opportunity to showcase your business in front of Louisiana’s trucking industry leaders. Secure your sponsorship today and make your mark at the 2026 LMTA Seafood Gala on April 11, 2026, at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.
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ATRI Opens 2026 Operational Costs of Trucking Data Collection for Motor Carriers |
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The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is inviting for-hire motor carriers to participate in its 2026 Operational Costs of Trucking data collection. ATRI’s annual report is a leading benchmarking tool for fleets of all sizes, tracking critical cost metrics such as driver pay, equipment expenses, insurance premiums, non-revenue mileage, driver utilization, and revenue per truck per week. Participating carriers receive a customized, confidential report comparing their operations to anonymized peer groups. New in 2026, multi-year participants will also receive year-over-year trend comparisons. Motor carriers are encouraged to submit 2025 data by Friday, April 24, 2026. Submission forms and additional details are available on ATRI’s website. All data is kept confidential and reported only in aggregate form. |
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Join Us for a Fundraiser for Judge William "Billy" Burris - March 11 (11:30am - 1:30pm) |
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Please join our supporters for a fundraiser honoring Judge William Burris for Louisiana Supreme Court. We hope you will join us in supporting Judge Burris and his campaign. The fundraiser will be Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at: Louisiana Association of Business & Industry - LABI To RSVP, please contact Mary Elise Kingsmill at (225) 614-1135. Suggested Contribution:
Checks Payable To:Committee to Elect William H. Burris for Judge Mail To:2133 Silverside Drive, Suite K Donate Online: |
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Women in Motion - Louisiana: Take their AI Survey |
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2026 marks our inaugural year, Women in Motion–Louisiana will focus on expanding our membership and strengthening meaningful connections among women across LMTA. In addition to membership growth, WIM-LA will lead educational initiatives centered on Artificial Intelligence (or AI) and its growing impact on our industry. This includes exploring advancements, practical applications, cybersecurity considerations, and implementation strategies tailored to transportation professionals. An in-depth AI presentation is planned for this summer at the 2026 LMTA Annual Conference. The AI survey is now open to all members of the trucking community—not just WIM-LA participants. We encourage everyone to share their input to help guide this important conversation and ensure we address end-to-end questions and insights from across the industry. The survey can be taken here: https://forms.gle/Po2cR7Hkvadvm1KaA or by using any of the buttons above or below.
Closes March 30, 2026 |
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Membership Information
LMTA membership is required to join Women in Motion–Louisiana. There are two categories of dues for WIM-LA: Trucking Members (Individual, Domiciled, and Non-Domiciled) and Allied Members. The fee is assessed per person, not per company.
Eligibility for WIM-LA is based on your company’s LMTA membership status. Questions about membership affiliation may be directed to lmta@lmta.la. Our Mission Women in Motion–Louisiana exists to connect and empower women throughout Louisiana’s transportation industry by fostering a supportive environment focused on advocacy, mentorship, collaboration, education, professional growth, and meaningful networking. LEARN MORE HERE |
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TruckPAC Endorses Paul Sawyer (HD 69) - Early Voting Starts this Weekend |
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TruckPAC, the political action committee of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, is proud to announce its endorsement of Paul Sawyer for Louisiana State House District 69. This seat became vacant following the resignation of Paula Davis late last year. Sawyer has a strong background in public service and economic development. He previously served as chief of staff to former Congressman Garret Graves and worked with Louisiana Economic Development. He now serves as Executive Director of the Amite River Basin Drainage & Water Conservation District, where he oversees regional water and infrastructure initiatives. As a small business owner, he understands firsthand the impact of taxes, regulation, infrastructure, and insurance costs on Louisiana employers. For more information on Paul Sawyer, please visit https://www.paulsawyerforla.com/ To learn more about TruckPAC or to get involved, please visit: www.lmta.la/advocacy/
ELECTION INFORMATION: March 14, 2026 – Special Primary Election (State Representative, 69th Representative District – East Baton Rouge Parish) Early Voting:
Election Day:
More details and polling information are available at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/GetElectionInformation/Pages/default.aspx |
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Louisiana Safety Awards - Applications Now Open |
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The 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships will take place Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Testing, pretrip, the course and the awards banquet will all be held on the Cajundome's campus. This annual event brings together the best of Louisiana’s trucking professionals for two days of skill, safety, and camaraderie. In addition to the driving competition, we will also present the Louisiana Safety Awards, including: Applications and nominations are now open for three LMTA Foundation awards recognizing excellence across the trucking industry: Fleet Safety Awards, Truck Driver of the Year, and Safety Professional of the Year. These applications must be submitted by March 9, 2026 via email (lmta@lmta.la). We encourage members to apply or nominate deserving individuals and fleets and help us recognize outstanding commitment to safety and professionalism. MORE ON THE 2026 TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS: What’s Changing from Previous Years?
We can’t wait to see you in Lafayette for another great competition and to celebrate the outstanding professionals who keep our industry safe. |
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FREE Trucking Compliance Seminar - Northshore (Mar. 25) |
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Join the LMTA Foundation for an essential Compliance Seminar in the Northshore area, designed to help trucking professionals navigate the complexities of federal and state regulations. This half-day seminar will provide critical insights into compliance requirements, safety best practices, and regulatory updates affecting motor carriers operating in Louisiana. This seminar is an excellent opportunity to stay ahead of regulatory changes, gain expert insights, and implement best practices that enhance compliance and safety within your operation. This seminar is ideal for:
Seminar Location: 428 East Boston Street Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to maintain compliance, avoid costly violations, and improve their safety scores. The event will also provide opportunities to engage with industry experts and peers to discuss real-world challenges and solutions.
Registration is provided free of charge by the LMTA Foundation.
OTHER SEMINAR LOCATIONS:
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LMTA Association Health Plan - Exclusive Benefits for Members |
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We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new benefit for LMTA members — the LMTA Association Sponsored Health Plan, powered by USI Insurance Services. This exclusive program was designed to help our members take control of one of the biggest challenges facing trucking companies today: the rising cost of employee health coverage. By joining together under one plan, LMTA members can now access lower costs, greater transparency, and trucking-specific health and wellness benefits — all while maintaining the flexibility and control you need as an employer. Program Highlights:
This new health plan gives trucking employers the tools to reduce costs, enhance employee benefits, and improve long-term financial stability — all while keeping more value within our industry and association. If you are interested in the plan, contact Jason Roussell with USI Insurance Services at jason.roussell@usi.com. For any other questions, contact Renee Amar at renee@lmta.la. Together, we’re helping LMTA members build stronger businesses — and healthier teams. |
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INDUSTRY UPDATES |
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ATRI’s 2026 Top 100 National Truck Bottlenecks - Louisiana Site Listed at Number 20 |
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For nearly 25 years, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has used truck GPS data to measure freight mobility across the country. Its annual bottleneck analysis identifies the most severe congestion points specifically impacting truck-borne freight — not just general traffic corridors. In the 2026 report, Baton Rouge’s I-10 at I-110 interchange is ranked among the Top 100 truck bottlenecks in the nation — and it is the only Louisiana location to make the Top 100 list.
According to the 2026 report, Baton Rouge, LA: I-10 at I-110 ranks 20th nationally based on congestion index
Key findings include:
The data shows that during peak periods, truck speeds drop significantly, and peak speeds declined nearly 4 percent from the previous year - underscoring worsening congestion at one of the South’s most critical freight crossroads. |
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Emergency Declarations |
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MEMBER PROGRAMS - Save Money |
LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs
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The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.
LMTA ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLAN Exclusively for LMTA members, this group health insurance program helps trucking employers reduce costs and enhance employee benefits through collective purchasing power and risk sharing. Powered by USI, it offers greater transparency, trucking specific plan options and expert guidance giving employers improved control and drivers access to specialized care.
LMTA & WEX CARD The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) is excited to announce a rewarding affinity program partnership with WEX and their MasterCard product. Whether you use a physical WEX MasterCard, a Ghost Card for recurring payments, a Virtual Card for one-time payments, or integrate WEX MasterCard to handle all electronic payments, you can help the LMTA earn valuable rebates.
APP EMBARK App Embark specializes in creating mobile apps for companies that allow employers to organize and communicate with their employees more efficiently and effectively. As part of our partnership with App Embark, LMTA members save $500 on the cost of the build fee!
TO LEARN MORE OR SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.
Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details. |
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