Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • May 20, 2026 • Cleveland, Ohio

Freight Fraud Symposium 2026:

The Escalating Crisis & the Path to Resiliency

Freight fraud has continued its exponential surge, transitioning from a serious risk to an existential threat for many in the logistics and transportation sector. Bad actors are leveraging advanced AI-powered tools and sophisticated phishing campaigns to not only forge identities and falsify documents but also execute complex digital supply chain attacks. Simultaneously, the regulatory landscape and judicial scrutiny are intensifying, holding freight brokers to unprecedented levels of legal and fiduciary accountability.

The crisis is deepening, demanding immediate, collaborative action. It's time for industry leaders to move beyond mitigation and focus on building resilient, secure supply chain ecosystems.

Join us in Cleveland, Ohio this May for the Freight Fraud Symposium, an essential and intimate event geared toward transportation executives, risk managers, legal counsel, and technology buyers. Share insights, debate the latest threat intelligence, and establish the new gold standard for transaction security.
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Agenda

Click to expand for more information; all times shown in ET.

Welcome & Opening Remarks

5/20/26 9:00 am

Industry Keynote: Michael Caney

5/20/26 10:00 am

Michael Caney
Chief Commercial Officer
Highway
View Bio

The AI Threat: Understanding and Countering Fraudsters' Use of Generative AI (Deepfakes, Sophisticated Phishing)

5/20/26 10:45 am

Measuring the Total Cost: Quantifying Financial Losses, Reputational Damage, and Operational Slowdowns

5/20/26 11:00 am

Working with Law Enforcement on Freight Fraud and Cargo Recovery

5/20/26 11:10 am

Panel & QA

5/20/26 11:20 am

Phil Brink
Head of Fraud Media and Education
FreightWaves
View Bio

SONAR Spotlight

5/20/26 11:35 am

Will Hopping
Chief Product and Technology Officer
SONAR
View Bio

Good on Paper: What are you really vetting?

5/20/26 12:50 pm

Discover how vetting rules and automated reports can provide cover for fraudsters. This session will also discuss the importance of your team understanding what a good carrier looks like beyond the default rules.

The 'Chameleon Carrier' Problem

5/20/26 1:00 pm

Why Fraud & Risk Prevention Requires a Layered Strategy

5/20/26 1:10 pm

Andrew Wimer
VP of Strategic Operations
Descartes
View Bio

Panel & QA

5/20/26 1:25 pm

Will Hopping
Chief Product and Technology Officer
SONAR
View Bio
Andrew Wimer
VP of Strategic Operations
Descartes
View Bio

Industry Highlight: Truckstop

5/20/26 1:40 pm

Dale Prax
Strategic Freight Fraud Advisor
Truckstop
View Bio

Regulatory & Legal Update: Navigating Broker Liability Standards and Insurance Complexities

5/20/26 2:00 pm

Eric Zalud
Partner, Chairman, Transportation & Logistics
Benesch
View Bio

The Power of Collaboration: Fighting Cyber-Enabled Freight Fraud

5/20/26 2:15 pm

This discussion will look at the evolving and emergent trends in cyber-enabled freight fraud, mitigation techniques, and the power of collaboration between industry, local, state, and federal partners to share threat intelligence, strengthen defensive strategies, and increase successful enforcement efforts.

Ben Wilkens
Cybersecurity Principal Engineer
National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.
View Bio

Executive De-Risking: Management's Guide to Governance, Training, and Building a Culture of Security

5/20/26 2:25 pm

Panel & QA

5/20/26 2:35 pm

John Kingston
Executive Editor and Oil Market Expert
FreightWaves
View Bio
Eric Zalud
Partner, Chairman, Transportation & Logistics
Benesch
View Bio
Ben Wilkens
Cybersecurity Principal Engineer
National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.
View Bio

Digital Security in Freight Transactions - How Brokers Can Eliminate Fraud with Small Carriers

5/20/26 3:10 pm

A Deep Dive into the Khalistan Cargo Theft Crime Ring

5/20/26 3:20 pm

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Solutions and Strategies Covering All Segments (Trucking, Rail, Ocean, Air)

5/20/26 3:30 pm

Panel & QA

5/20/26 3:40 pm

Brad Guinane
Chief Revenue Officer
SONAR
View Bio
Travis Rhyan
Founder & CEO
Carrier1
View Bio

Closing Remarks

5/20/26 3:55 pm

Happy Hour brought to you by Highway

5/20/26 4:00 pm

Speakers

Industry Leaders

freightwaves hosts

a 7-minute showdown

Rapid-Fire Demos

Do you have what it takes to present your product in record time? Our Rapid-Fire Demos showcase the latest industry advancements and technology by ensuring the most important details are covered as participants work against the clock. You will have seven minutes to introduce the audience to your company and product. Once your time is up, the lights go out and the audio is cut—no exceptions! Compete against industry peers for coveted Best In Show recognition. Think you have what it takes to beat the clock? Sign up to demo today!
SIGN UP TO DEMO

Enter for a chance to pitch & win $100K in prizes

Marketing & Media Summit

Are you a marketing expert who is looking to take your game to the next level? Think you have what it takes to compete against the best of the best?

For the first time, F3 will offer attendees a one day session – the Marketing and Media Summit – where marketing and brand experts from some of the hottest brands will share insights on how to leverage all forms of modern media (social media, influencers, digital, and video) to tell your story, grow your business and sell your product.

As part of this summit, FreightWaves will hold the first ever Ultimate Marketing Challenge, and three winners will receive prizes totaling $100,000 to accelerate their marketing efforts and reach 100,000+ freight industry leaders with a FreightWaves Media & Events credit!

Learn more, and sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could launch your organization to new heights! Act fast before this opportunity passes you by.

Fraud Fighters Award

We want to shine a light on those who are proactively working to protect our industry, inspire best practices and foster a culture of integrity. FreightWaves is now accepting nominations for its Fraud Fighters Award, which will celebrate companies that have demonstrated exceptional vigilance and innovation in combating fraud within the freight and logistics sector.

Nominate your company before the May 8 deadline for a chance to be recognized as an industry leader. The winners will be announced at the Freight Fraud Symposium.
Nominate Now

the hottest freight party of the year

J. B. Hunt 360º Party

Experience the lights, live music and festivities and get to know others in the industry at this one-of-a-kind party hosted by J.B. Hunt and FreightWaves! You’ll enjoy live music, fantastic food and custom cocktails as you dance the night away at the annual party, which is held in an open-air pavilion in downtown Chattanooga. This party is like no other, just like F3: Future of Freight Festival!

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reserve your spot today

Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Freight Fraud Symposium l Cleveland, Ohio l May 20, 2026 l Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

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