PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

I look forward to welcoming you, your families, and your transportation colleagues ‎from around the world to Rancho Mirage, California, for TLA’s 2025 Annual Conference & ‎CTLA Midyear Meeting. We will convene at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa ‎ April 30^th to May 3^rd. In addition to a spectacular line up of CLE programs and ‎networking events, the beautiful Palm Springs desert will offer plenty of fun and engaging ‎opportunities throughout the conference. ‎

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is more than just a resort—it’s a desert ‎sanctuary. Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Rancho Mirage mountains and the lush green ‎expanses of its championship golf course, this resort provides a perfect blend of natural splendor ‎and sophisticated luxury.‎ Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled by the resort’s championship course, designed by the ‎legendary Pete Dye. Recognized as one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Golf Resorts in North America, ‎this course is celebrated for its challenging layout and stunning vistas, making it a must-play for ‎golfers of all skill levels. For those seeking relaxation and recreation, the Las Brisas pool area is a true oasis. With ‎its dual waterslides and expansive lounging areas, it provides a refreshing escape from the ‎desert heat. The resort’s dining options include Pinzimini, where you can savor delectable ‎flavors, and the Fireside Lounge, perfect for enjoying handcrafted cocktails in a cozy ‎atmosphere.‎

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa offers an exceptional environment that ‎perfectly complements the high-caliber educational and networking opportunities of the 2025 ‎TLA Annual Conference and CTLA Midyear Meeting. ‎The Educational Committee, chaired by Ashley Winsky and Rob Reeb, has been ‎putting together a CLE program that is both timely and timeless. Panels will include:‎

Thursday:‎

• Maritime Law through the lens of the devastating March 2024 allision of the M/V DALI with ‎Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Express Federal Preemption in Multiple Modes ‎
• Securing Precious Cargo: Navigating Claims for High-Value Cargo and Strategies for ‎Mitigating Risk
• Competition/Anti-Trust: What You Need to Know about Doing Business in Mexico, the ‎United States, and Canada

Friday:‎

• Driving Labor and Employment Compliance: Navigating New Rules on FTC Non-Competes, ‎DOL Salaries, and FLSA Exemptions in Transportation
•  FMCSA Regulations: Status and Strategies
• Navigating Emerging Technologies – Complying with Attorneys’ Ethics in the Era of ‎Artificial Intelligence
• Latest Developments in Insurance Law

Saturday:‎

• Multi-Modal Lightning Round:  Covering Recent Issues in Road, Ocean, Rail, and ‎Air Transportation
• In God We Trust: Mass Casualty Road Accidents caused by Acts of God
• Fraud in the Supply Chain: How does the industry respond?‎
• AV Crashes – Who’s Responsible and Who Pays?‎

So come early and stay late, your friends and colleagues will be waiting to discuss ‎the latest transportation issues. I look forward to seeing you soon.‎

Very Truly Yours, 

Katherine T. Garber, TLA President

The 2025 TLA Annual Conference will bring the excitement of a first-class educational program to the beautiful setting of California. In addition to the renowned CLE program and exceptional networking opportunities that TLA offers, you’ll have numerous chances to explore all that Palm Springs has to offer. Don’t miss out on this conference—it’s your chance to enhance your knowledge, reconnect with current friends and colleagues, and forge new relationships. The program committee of Mark Barber, Alex Celio, Shawn Emerson, Emileigh Hubbard, Fred Marcinak, Eric ‎Palombo, and Robin Squires have worked very hard to put together an out of this world CLE program.  The Program Committee is led by program co-chairs, Ashley Winsky and Rob Reeb.