LAS VEGAS -- With a theme of "Insight: The Future of the Global Commercial Vehicle Industry," this year's annual Heavy Duty Dialogue '08, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at The Mirage, Las Vegas, will be an exceptional business conference for executives in the industry.

The featured opening presenter will be Dr. Thomas P.M. Barnett. A New York Times bestselling author who has been profiled on the front-page of the Wall Street Journal, Barnett is a noted expert on issues relating to international security, commerce and economic globalization.

"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Barnett will be presenting his views on the global marketplace at HD Dialogue '08," said Tim Kraus, president and COO of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA). "His presentation will be unlike any ever presented at this important industry business conference."

A strategic expert who has worked on international issues for the past 20 years, Barnett is a regular columnist for Esquire Magazine and U.S. News & World Report, who described him as "one of the most important strategic thinkers of our time."

His client list includes American Systems Corporation, The Arlington Institute, The Boeing Company, the Center for Executive Development at the University of Virginia, The Center for Naval Analyses, the Center for Strategic Studies (division of CNA Corp), CENTRA Technologies, Electronic Funds Transfer Association (EFTA) and Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Organized by the board of directors of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), HD Dialogue '08 will continue the event's tradition of offering a stellar line-up of analysts and industry leaders forecasting the future of the global commercial vehicle industry. More details are available at: www.hdma.org.