Charlotte, N. Carolina

Southeast hub redefining growth, freight movement, and regional opportunity.
Join industry leaders, local executives, and FreightWaves experts for a high-impact mix of data-driven insights, interactive discussions, and focused networking with peers who operate in your region every day.
Who This Event is For:
Transportation and logistics professionals in the Charlotte region -- shippers, brokers, carriers, and anyone responsible for operational performance, safety, or cost management in transportation & supply chain.
Why Attend:
Local markets are dealing with unprecedented volatility, fraud exposure, tightening margins, and shifting demand patterns. These roadshow events are built to give you timely market intelligence you can use immediately and a high-quality networking environment with peers in your region.
Key Themes & Sessions
- Fraud Prevention
Learn the latest strategies to detect and combat double brokering, identity fraud, cargo theft and other threats costing the industry billions.
- AI & Technology Integration
Explore how AI, automation, predictive analytics and TMS innovations are driving stronger, more resilient decision-making.
- Economic & Industry Trends
Understand how reshoring, infrastructure investment and manufacturing growth are reshaping supply chains and logistics opportunities.
- Multi-Modal & Partnership Strategies
Dive into trends across LTL, truckload, parcel, air, ocean and rail—and discover how to build resilient relationships that hold up under volatility.
Agenda
Malcolm Harris, Podcast Host, FreightWaves
Mark Andrews, Co-Executive Director, N.C. League of Transportation & Logistics
This opening keynote explores emerging innovations in freight resiliency, including disruptive technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT that are transforming supply chains. It highlights strategic imperatives to adapt to volatility, such as building agile networks and leveraging data for predictive planning. The session draws on global trends to inspire attendees, emphasizing collaboration between stakeholders to overcome challenges like geopolitical risks and economic shifts, ultimately aiming to foster a resilient future for shipping operations.
Freight Market Resiliency in 2026: Navigating Capacity Crunches and Disruptions
Craig Fuller, Founder & CEO, FreightWaves
Zach Strickland, Director, Freight Market Intelligence, SONAR
This session analyzes the latest freight market data from SONAR, focusing on resiliency for brokers. It covers capacity crunches, rate trends, and disruptions like fuel volatility, with forecasts for 2026 and strategies to navigate market shifts, drawing on real-time insights to help brokers optimize operations and seize opportunities.
Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines: Building a Global Logistics Leader in the Queen City
Drew Wilkerson, Chairman & CEO, RXO
Craig Fuller, Founder & CEO, FreightWaves
The Uptime Equation: Maximizing Fleet Performance & Safety with the Latest FreightTech
Maddie Sullivan, Product Marketing Manager, Volvo Trucks North America
The "connected truck" is no longer a luxury—it is a critical data hub. Join us for a deep dive into the state of fleet technology in 2026, focusing on the intersection of vehicle health and driver safety. We will discuss the evolution of driver-assist technologies and their proven impact on accident reduction, as well as the tactical ways fleets are using telematics to stay ahead of maintenance cycles. Discover how this new truck technology is making an impact across the supply chain.
Roundtable Discussion: Broker Strategies Against Fraud
Will Hopping, Chief Product & Technology Officer, SONAR
Zach Strickland, Director, Freight Market Intelligence, SONAR
Combating Freight Fraud: Detection and Mitigation
Addressing fraud threats like scams and identity theft, this session details practical detection methods, including load verification and tech monitoring. It emphasizes background checks, insurance practices, and response protocols to protect against losses, with case studies illustrating effective mitigation in brokerage settings.
AI-Driven Efficiency: Tools for Load Matching and Real-Time Operations
This session highlights AI applications in TMS and predictive tools for efficient load matching, real-time tracking, and collaborative decision-making, demonstrating how brokers can reduce costs, improve speed, and enhance resiliency through automation and data analytics.
Capacity Management for Brokerages in Uncertain Times
This session outlines strategies for scaling brokerage operations amid uncertainty, focusing on load matching, dynamic routing, and handling market surges or slowdowns to avoid financial strain. It covers tools for predictive capacity planning and partnership optimization, with examples of successful adaptations during volatile periods to maintain profitability and service levels.
Load Board Wars - What's the Latest
JP Hampstead, Senior Economist, FreightWaves
This session will examine competition among major load boards like DAT, Truckstop, and Highway for market share, this session features insights from each on innovative strategies, features, and tools designed to boost broker success, efficiency, and competitive edge in freight matching.
Forging Resilient Partnerships: Brokers and Shippers
This panel explores collaborative models, innovative contracts, and risk-sharing between brokers and shippers to build resiliency, discussing best practices for mutual benefits, trust-building, and adapting to market changes through shared data and aligned goals.
Building Successful Brokerages: Insights from Local Executives
Featuring local executives from major regional brokerages sharing strategies for growth, operations, and resiliency. This part focuses on foundational elements like team building, technology adoption, and market entry tactics, with real-world examples of overcoming initial hurdles to establish profitable ventures in competitive landscapes.
What the Truck?!?
Malcolm Harris, Podcast Host, FreightWaves
Speakers

Craig Fuller
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.

Drew Wilkerson
Drew Wilkerson’s vision, brokerage expertise and executive leadership are central to RXO, delivering sustained company growth and value to investors and customers for more than a decade. A transportation industry veteran with 19 years of brokerage leadership experience, Mr. Wilkerson joined RXO’s predecessor company in 2012. He was subsequently promoted to regional vice president, president of the North American brokerage business and then, in 2020, president of North American Transportation. He was selected as CEO when RXO was established as an independent company in 2022 and named Chairman of the RXO Board of Directors in May 2025.
He has leadership and P&L responsibility for RXO’s North American truck brokerage business and complementary brokered services of managed transportation, last mile logistics and global freight forwarding.
Prior to RXO, Mr. Wilkerson spent six years with C.H. Robinson, rising in experience and roles through sales, carrier relations, operations and customer relations. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in public relations.

JP Hampstead
John Paul conducts research on multimodal freight markets and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Michigan. Prior to building a research team at FreightWaves, JP spent two years on the editorial side covering trucking markets, freight brokerage, and M&A.

Maddie Sullivan
Maddie Sullivan is a seasoned engineering and marketing professional with over a decade of experience in the heavy-duty vehicle industry. Currently serving as Product Marketing Manager at Volvo Trucks North America, she supports Volvo’s on-highway products. Her work focuses on industry-first safety innovations and connected services, based at the company’s Greensboro, NC headquarters. Prior to this role, she held multiple project management positions within the Volvo Group, supporting new product introductions and quality initiatives in Cab Engineering.

Malcolm Harris
Malcolm Harris is the host of What The Truck?!?, the flagship show on FreightWaves TV, where he brings energy, insight, and industry perspective to the forefront of freight media.
As the face and voice of one of the most-watched and talked-about shows in supply chain broadcasting, Malcolm delivers breaking news, sharp commentary, and engaging interviews that connect the logistics community across platforms.
With a background that spans logistics, recruiting, and media, Harris brings a unique blend of industry experience and storytelling ability to FreightWaves.
His dynamic presence and passion for connecting with audiences make him a standout personality in freight media.
What The Truck?!? airs live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:00 p.m. ET on the FreightWaves YouTube channel and on SiriusXM channel 146 from 6-7 p.m. ET.

Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews is an industry veteran who joined Cargo Integrated Logistics as Vice President of Logistics Solutions in 2013. A native of Akron, OH, Mark studied Business Administration with an emphasis on Management and Marketing at Bowling Green State University in OH and The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Mark’s experience spans over 45 years in various transportation and distribution roles. By accepting roles with increasing leadership responsibilities, his career has taken him from Tucson, AZ, to Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix, AZ, Sacramento, CA, Charlotte, NC, Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati, OH, finally landing in Hickory, NC. Prior to joining Cargo Integrated Logistics, he spent the previous 11 years working for major, asset-based warehousing and packaging third party logistics market leaders in Charlotte and Cincinnati. Mark also spent 23 years working in LTL Transportation. He spent 10 years with Ryder Truck Lines who merged with P-I-E and became P-I-E Nationwide in 1983. Then worked for Standard Trucking, Preston Trucking, and NEMF/New England Motor Freight before coming over to logistics and warehousing.
Mark is passionate about the transportation and logistics industry and works diligently to maintain strong industry connections. He has held various leadership roles within the industry including:
-Operations Manager, Convention Sales Manager, City Sales Manager, Region Sales Director, National Accounts Director Northwest US, Corporate Sales Northeast, Director of LTL Consolidation & Distribution, Director of Offline National Sales, and Vice President of Sales.
-President and Chairman for the North Carolina League of Transportation and Logistics (NCLTL). Currently, Mark serves as the Co-Executive Director of the NC League.
-Presently, Mark also serves on the Advisory Board for the Associated Warehouses (AWI).
Mark has also been active with the Warehouse Education and Research Council (WERC), Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), National Small Shipment Traffic Council (NASSTRAC), American Trucking Association (ATA), Distributors & Consolidators of America (DACA), The International Warehousing Logistics Association (IWLA), and also a long time and Advisory Board Member of the Associated Warehouses (AWI Logistics), for over 25 years.
In addition to maintaining strong industry connections, Mark is skilled at developing local connections. He was a board member for the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce in 2016, 2017, & 2018, and served on the Executive Committee Board of Directors in 2017 and 2018. Currently, Mark is The Chair of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Managers Association of Lincoln County Economic Development Council, as well as actively serving on the Board of Directors for Cargo Integrated Logistics.
Finally, Mark has been Co-Executive Director of The North Carolina League of Transportation & Logistics for the past 3 years as well as being a 40 year member of the NC League with service in many capacities.

Will Hopping
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Zach Strickland
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.


