SC&RA 2026 Specialized Transportation Symposium Returns to Birmingham, Featuring FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs
(January 22, 2026) - CENTREVILLE, VA. – Representing one of the industry’s premier transportation events of the year, the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association will host its 2026 Specialized Transportation Symposium February 24–26 in Birmingham, Ala. Highlighting the 2026 program, Derek D. Barrs, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator, will attend and speak at the Symposium, offering a federal perspective on issues shaping the specialized transportation industry.
Each year, SC&RA brings together heavy haul professionals from across the oversize/overweight (OS/OW) spectrum for three days of education, collaboration and industry connection. In addition to Barrs, STS is excited to announce the continuation of a unique 1-on-1 event which allows attendees to book a private, 15-minute session with a state DOT official. As of press time, officials from 20 states have committed to attending. To participate, simply visit the SC&RA STS registration page.
Throughout the event, STS also creates direct access for attendees to a broad cross-section of industry and regulatory stakeholders, including operations managers, safety professionals, pilot car operators, permitting officials, law enforcement and state and federal representatives from the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO), the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) and the Western Association of State Transportation Officials (WASHTO).
On the Association side, the Symposium serves as a meeting place for SC&RA’s Pilot Car Task Force; Permit Policy Committee; Transportation Safety, Education, & Training Committee; and the Transportation Governing Committee.
“Having Administrator Barrs with us in Birmingham this year underscores the importance of this event and the role specialized transportation plays in the national infrastructure and commercial motor vehicle safety conversation,” said Chris Smith, SC&RA Vice President, Transportation.
“STS is designed to give our members direct access to the people and information that shape their day-to-day operations – from federal and state officials to peers facing the same challenges. Whether it’s the one-on-one sessions or the opportunity to engage with regulators and industry leaders in one place, the Symposium delivers real, actionable value for companies navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.”
On the education side, numerous breakout sessions this year will spotlight the evolving forces shaping specialized transportation, from market conditions and regulatory policy to risk management, workforce strategy and technology adoption. The program includes a State of the Industry CEO Roundtable focused on resilience and reinvention, as well as sessions examining competitive bidding for OS/OW freight, insurer perspectives on CAB reports and how leading carriers are mitigating risk while controlling costs.
Additional sessions will explore permitting challenges through a national conversation with state officials, the role of human connection in modern marketing and how to evaluate software solutions that support smarter, more efficient operations.
In a session set for Wednesday, February 26, at 4:30pm, Administrator Barrs will outline the Trump administration’s roadmap for commercial vehicle policy – sharing what’s next in federal regulation, safety and compliance for 2026 and beyond.
Beyond the education program, STS 2026 features built-in opportunities to connect, including numerous scheduled networking breaks, two evening receptions and the popular First-Timer’s briefing. Attendees will also have access to the Exhibit Center, featuring 59 booths, along with the Hauling Jobs of the Year presentations recognizing projects that demonstrate exceptional safety practices, innovation and specialized engineering.
Registration for STS 2026 is now open. To see a full list of topics and speakers, or to register, visit www.scranet.org/sts2026.