Trucking Moves America Forward celebrated its second anniversary at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., Thursday.
Kevin Burch, co-chairman of the trucking industry image and education movement, said TMAF made strides in 2015 including the sale of 100 of the movement’s trailer wraps.
“Selling 100 trailer wraps was not only a TMAF goal, but also a personal goal of mine,” Burch said. “We’re encouraging more carriers to get involved by purchasing these wraps, which are moving billboards to educate the motoring public.”
TMAF has set a goal for 2016 to sell 100 more wraps to reach the 200 mark. Burch said other goals for 2016 include continuing to promote the industry through education sessions, speeches, marketing and public relations strategies, as well as working with local and state efforts focused on improving highway infrastructure.
Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said trucking is one of the most critical industries in the world, but it doesn’t get that recognition.
“We have shippers and receivers that are largely indifferent to the situation drivers are in,” Spencer said. “Driver shortage stories have been around since I started in this business a long time ago, but the raw numbers suggest there’s no driver shortage. We just can’t keep people. We shoot ourselves in the foot.”