ATA Calls Trucking Image Champions to Action

SAN ANTONIO, May 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations announced the beginning of its search to find and honor trucking's greatest industry advocates with this year's Mike Russell Trucking Image Award.

"The trucking industry has seen increasing respect in Washington in recent months, but we still have work to do on improving the image of our industry throughout North America," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "The Mike Russell Trucking Image Award recognizes the time and energy put into shaping a stronger image of trucking by the men and women who work tirelessly to spread our industry's message of safety, essentiality and professionalism."

Sponsored by HireRight for the third consecutive year, the award is given to an individual, motor carrier, trucking organization and industry supplier who exhibits a commitment to helping all trucking industry stakeholders by showcasing the industry's essentiality, safety-first mentality, and professionalism.

"ATA believes that the image of our industry can only improve when trucking professionals and drivers go out and tell our story," said ATA Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs and COO Elisabeth Barna. "Studies have shown time and again that when members of the general motoring public meet a trucking professional they are significantly more likely to have a positive view of our industry."

"Any attempt to move the needle in the right direction for our industry's perception is honorable and HireRight is excited to have the opportunity to sponsor the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award for the third year in a row," said Steven Spencer, managing director of transportation, HireRight. "We look forward to seeing creative, effective campaigns nominated for this award."

The Mike Russell Trucking Image Award celebrates companies, organizations and individuals who imaginatively generate positive awareness of the trucking industry. Image and outreach efforts, like Trucking Moves America Forward, help ATA counter a seemingly endless chain of anti-truck messages played out in the national media. Without the support of these leaders, the benefits of an improved image of the trucking industry would not be possible.

ATA's March trip to the White House went viral, receiving more than 1 billion global impressions and providing a forum for trucking stakeholders to share our story with a worldwide audience. Building off of that successful event, increased attention was given to truck drivers and industry professionals. ATA expects awareness and respect for the trucking industry to continue to grow through outreach campaigns undertaken by Mike Russell Trucking Image Award nominees.

Submissions for this award are evaluated by an expert, impartial panel of judges based on creativity, frequency, impact, and execution. Visit the official nomination page to find out more about the award and how to submit a nomination.

Completed applications should be submitted by August 18 to ATA's Industry Affairs Department. The winners of the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award will be announced October 21-24 during the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations