The 6th Annual TTSAO Conference is just around the corner and you may still be wondering if you should attend? There are many reasons to attend any conference from networking with industry colleagues to learning new tools for your business, but keeping up to date on topics and changes with the industry I think are the most important.
When you join the TTSAO you are entered into an informal category based on your industry type. For instance a carrier signs on as an Associate Member, but will actually be put into the Carrier Group with other carriers in the Association. This allows them to have a voice as a group for issues within the industry and association but also allows them to network with other carriers to learn how they can work better with the schools. There is a group for insurance based businesses, and Accredited schools. Each of these groups have their own meeting at the conference to solve issues with hiring practices and learn what schools need to help drivers be successful. These meetings happen on day one of the conference.
Recent changes to drivers road testing on manual transmissions began as of July 1st and this is a big change for drivers in the industry. This will determine the types of jobs a driver will be able to apply for, the type of training they receive at a school, and much more. After July 1st there are new questions for any student to be asking a school and the answer will change based on the employer. This can limit potential employment for a candidate in the future. Learning more about this change is important for you to keep up to date with as well the opportunity to talk to carriers in the room to see what their thoughts are on the topic is very important.
Social media is changing all the time and what worked last year probably won’t work this year. Every year we have had a presentation on the topic and the information has never been repeated twice. This year Michael Zelek a top recruiter in the industry will be interviewed by media entrepreneur Bruce Outridge about the latest social media trends and how he uses it to attract drivers and students to his organization.
Our industry is changing fast and when you are immersed in just one part of it you can get lost in what’s happening around you. Industry experts like Mike McCarron will be talking about how to make sense of the changes happening in transportation and how training facilities can adapt to those changes to be successful for the future.
Awarding those in your industry that make a difference is important to all of us and recognizing the Instructor of the Year and Volunteer of the Year are important parts of the TTSAO Conference. We need to continue to recognize top professionals in the industry in order to show the public that trucking is a respectable and hard working industry for the future.
Human Trafficking is a big problem in the world today and truck drivers are a group that is on the front lines and can help in the fight against this crime. Attend the conference and learn what to look for and how you can educate your team to help spot potential threats on the road.
These are just a few of the issues we will be discussing at the 6th Annual TTSAO Conference. You can read the full agenda at www.ttsao.com and there is still time to register or even sponsor the conference if you wish. We hope to see you there!
About the Author
Bruce Outridge is a veteran in the transportation industry with over 40 years in the industry in a variety of roles from driver to fleet supervisor and more. Today he is a media specialist in the industry producing a number of programs for the trucking industry such as his trucking podcast The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers at www.theleadpedalpodcast.com or his radio station Lead Pedal Radio at www.leadpedalradio.com
Disclaimer: This article is written and based on the opinion of the author and is for general information only