5 Takeaways from the WEX OTR Summit

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the WEX OTR Summit in San Antonio, Texas. The summit is an exceptional event that brings industry leaders together to discuss the future of over-the-road trucking. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with innovators, exchange ideas, and get a firsthand look at where the industry is heading.

WEX continues to play an integral role in the freight ecosystem, serving as a trusted partner to the nation’s carriers and helping them operate more efficiently, profitably, and safely. The summit showcased a strong commitment to the future of the industry, gathering technology providers, fleet leaders, and product experts to discuss the road ahead.

Here are my takeaways from this year’s event:

1. Digital fueling is transforming fleet operations

WEX unveiled several digital fueling innovations designed to make transactions faster, more secure, and easier to manage. Through advanced mobile tools and embedded payment solutions, carriers can now streamline how drivers access and pay for fuel, while gaining richer real-time insights into spend and route efficiency. The message was clear: the next wave of operational efficiency will come from digitization across the entire fueling experience.

2. AI and data are driving the next generation of fleet intelligence

Artificial intelligence and data integration were recurring themes throughout the summit. WEX showcased how AI-driven analytics are helping fleets predict maintenance needs, optimize fuel usage, and prevent fraud. By leveraging connected systems, fleets can move from reactive decision-making to proactive management.

3. Industry partnerships are paving the way for innovation

The event highlighted new collaborations between WEX and leading technology companies, from telematics providers to digital logistics platforms. These partnerships aim to build a more connected ecosystem—one where data flows seamlessly between systems, reducing manual work and enabling smarter decision-making for carriers and brokers alike.

4. Economic challenges remain, but so does optimism

One of the standout sessions featured industry icon Derek Leathers, Chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, who spoke candidly about the current freight market’s challenges. From fluctuating demand, to tariffs on trucks, to driver retention, the headwinds are real, but so is the industry’s resilience. I had the honor of having dinner with Derek during the summit, and his perspective reinforced how strong leadership and long-term thinking continue to guide fleets through uncertainty. The logistics industry would be in a better place if all leaders had Derek's commitment to serving both customers and truckers.

5. Collaboration is the foundation for a safer, smarter future

I was especially inspired by my fellow panelists from Platform Science, Trucker Path, and Storyboard. Each is doing incredible work to enhance safety, compliance, and connectivity across the industry. It’s encouraging to see such collaboration among technology leaders, driven by a shared goal to make the roads safer for everyone.

The WEX OTR Summit reaffirmed something I’ve believed for a long time: the future of trucking is digital, connected, and collaborative. With innovators like WEX leading the way and strong partnerships forming across the ecosystem, the industry is well-positioned for what’s next.