The 2026 TIA Capital Ideas Conference wrapped up in Phoenix last week, and we came with a lot to show. From the opening session to Thursday-night networking, here’s a look at what went down.
Fraud and automation are still top of mind
Two themes ran through nearly every conversation at TIA this year: fraud and automation.
On the fraud side, the threat is getting harder to manage. Bad actors aren’t running the same playbooks anymore, they’re finding new attack vectors, and the tactics are getting more sophisticated. Brokers who weren’t thinking about fraud two years ago are thinking about it now.
Automation is the other side of that coin. It’s not something to fear, but the market is crowded. New tech vendors are everywhere, each pitching their own piece of the stack. The result is fragmented workflows, AI systems talking to other AI systems, and new entry points for fraud. More automation without the right foundation doesn’t reduce risk. It can add to it.
These aren’t new concerns for DAT. They’re core to what we’re building toward.
“When I first started, Truckstop was number one for me but DAT quickly took over. It’s really about the data [DAT] has…I think it’s a lot more accurate, with more data points…DAT obviously is the number one load board.”
The full freight journey, under one roof
This year’s TIA marked the most complete version of DAT to show up at a conference. DAT One, DAT iQ, Convoy Platform, and Trucker Tools were all represented, giving brokers a chance to see how those products work together in the same ecosystem.
- DAT One gave brokers a look at centralized load management, carrier search, and capacity decisions in a single platform.
- Convoy Platform showed how brokers can automate spot market transactions and tap into a network of digital-first carriers.
- DAT iQ walked through how brokers use market data to benchmark rates, price with confidence, and protect margin.
Trucker Tools highlighted shipment visibility, real-time tracking, and fraud signals, which is increasingly relevant as scam activity in freight continues to grow.
“DAT in the last two or three years is doing really great things with technology… you’ve added Trucker Tools and Convoy…now it’s all under one platform.”
We held learning labs throughout the conference focused on turning data and automation into a repeatable competitive edge. Kary Jablonski (EVP, Broker Segment and Trucker Tools), Bill Driegert (EVP, Convoy Platform), and Marcus Womack (CEO, DAT Outgo) were on hand to walk brokers through how each product addresses the pressures they face day to day.
DAT Outgo, DAT’s financial services platform for carriers, was also part of the conversation, specifically how faster carrier payments and factoring options affect a broker’s ability to build and keep strong carrier relationships.
One-on-one meetings ran throughout the conference, giving brokers direct time with DAT’s product, analytics, and leadership teams.
Thursday night
DAT hosted a networking event at the conference hotel Thursday evening. It was a chance for brokers to connect with the DAT team outside of the booth and session format, because useful conversations happen in those settings too.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, attended a session, or made time for a meeting. Watch for future product announcements, and for more info on what DAT is doing, click here.
