Trucking Moves America Forward Announces Year of Progress at 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide image and education movement, announced today that it has made significant progress since its public launch one year ago.

During a TMAF-hosted press conference at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, TMAF was proud to report that it reached its goal of raising one million dollars since last March, due to the generous contributions of more than one hundred trucking companies, allied members and individuals.

Co-chairman of TMAF, President of Jet Express, Inc., and Second Vice Chairman of American Trucking Associations Kevin Burch kicked off the announcement with the successful financial update.

"We have achieved great strides during our first year of the movement, and we are grateful for everyone who has contributed to TMAF through both financial and in-kind support," said Burch. "But, there is work to do, and we challenge everyone in the industry to join the movement, so that together, we can achieve a positive image of the industry and advocate for better, smarter regulations to keep this vital industry flourishing."

Burch extended gratitude to ACT1 who was the first group to ignite the launch of the movement through its donations and support.

Leaders of TMAF, trucking executives and professional drivers presented an overview of the movement's other major accomplishments through its consistent and dedicated marketing, education and recruiting efforts at several industry events across the nation last year. To date, TMAF is pleased to announce the following achievements:

• more than 140 donors;
• more than four million dollars of in-kind donations through advertising, sponsorships, trade shows, printing and more;
• sponsorship on the Love's Travel Stops and Pilot Flying J NASCAR race cars;
• 3,000 subscribers;
• 25,400 YouTube views, 2,330 Facebook likes and 890 Twitter followers
• more than 25 million earned media impressions;
• and more than 1.5 million advertising impressions.

During the press conference, a visual presentation of last year's successes was shown, including videos of professionals sharing their pride of the industry and showcasing drivers with millions of accident-free miles.

Dick Pingel, OOIDA board member, representing the trucking owner-operators, gave an impassioned plea for continuing to build the movement.

"It's amazing to witness members from all areas of the trucking industry encourage each other and recognize how their roles are interconnected. From the professional truck drivers, to the technicians, travel-plaza attendants, dispatchers, and others, all who have joined together and are willing to make a real difference. But we must continue to grow, so that as a strong, united force, we can maintain a healthy, thriving industry," Pingel said.

Keith Tuttle, president of Motor Carrier Service, and chairman of Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), acknowledged the movement's efforts in improving the image of the industry, one of the TMAF's prime goals.

"Image is at the very heart of the TMAF movement. TMAF is telling the stories from behind the wheel, the stories of trucking professionals that the general public doesn't always know or learn," said Tuttle. "We must continue to tell the story that today's drivers are skilled professionals and devoted family men and women, trained to focus on safety, efficiency and reliability, while operating the safest and most sustainable trucks."

"As a driver, we are the public image of the trucking industry. We know that safety and respect is critical to our image, and TMAF, through its resources, will help us showcase our safe driving records and a greater image overall," said Don Logan, professional truck driver.

During the year, TMAF also greatly bolstered its marketing presence online, including the interactive website (www.truckingmovesamerica.com) built to inform and capture subscribers, gaining more than 3,000. A membership-devoted page was created to provide downloadable marketing content for those who register. To further promote the industry benefits and positive daily efforts, social media channels have grown steadily through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

For 2015, TMAF announced that its goals are to continue fundraising; activate and engage the trucking industry further by providing marketing and public relations tools; support federal and state advocacy efforts focused on highway funding, highway infrastructure and improving the operational environment; continue to develop strategies for public messages by using research measurements; continue to build pride within the trucking industry and to make trucking an attractive career.

Founding members of the TMAF include: Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry (ACT1), Allison Transmission, American Trucking Associations (ATA), Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, Bulldog Hiway Express, Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants, Combined Transport, Inc., Cummins Inc., Daimler Trucks North America, Dana Holding Corporation, Detroit Diesel Corporation, Eaton Corporation – Roadranger, GE Capital, Goodyear, Great West Casualty Company, Hahn Transportation, Inc., Hendrickson, International, J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Jet Express, Inc., Kenworth Truck Company, Longistics, Love's Travel Stops, Mack Trucks, Inc., McLeod Software, Meritor, Michelin, Motor Carrier Service, Inc., Old Dominion Freight Lines, Omnitracs Inc., Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Pegasus, Peterbilt Motors Company, Pilot Flying J, Randall Reilly, Tennant Truck Lines, Tennessee Express, Inc., TransTech, Trucking Associations Executive Council, Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), TRW and Volvo Trucks.

About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward aims to establish a long-term industry-wide movement to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation's economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com. Also visit and join through social media:
www.facebook.com/TruckingFWD
www.youtube.com/TruckingFWD
www.twitter.com/TruckingFWD 

SOURCE Trucking Moves America Forward

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