FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Plover, WI: The Women In Trucking Association, Inc. (WIT) held its second annual Accelerate! conference and expo last week. More than 400 women and men attended the event in Dallas, Nov. 7 – 9, 2016.
“It is truly exciting to see so many women and men engaged in the issue of gender diversity,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “The positive energy and supportive atmosphere at the conference established the perfect environment for talking frankly about common challenges, sharing best practices, expressing our pride in the industry, and empowering us all to be our best.”
Several key themes emerged from the three-day event:
· While women have many valuable qualities that help them excel in the workplace, they are more likely to experience self-doubt and shy away from negotiation than their male counterparts. By recognizing these tendencies and learning strategies to address them, women can help to level the playing field.
· The transportation industry needs to improve public perception in order to attract a more diverse workforce. It is important to communicate that it is a dynamic industry with a wide variety of opportunities and that women are building successful careers as drivers and leaders in the transportation industry today.
· Millennials and military veterans can be valuable for companies seeking new talent. To appeal to millennials, recruiters should highlight peak areas of interest, such as professional development, technology, social responsibility, etc. Veterans want to know how they fit in the organization and where they can add value.
· Top women leaders in the transportation industry today are passionate about the industry and love what they do. They are committed to creating a corporate culture marked by integrity, communication, and respect.
Over the course of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to attend dozens of educational sessions and learn from leading authorities such as Scott Darling, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Dr. Valerie Young, author of The Imposter Syndrome, and Sara Laschever, an expert in negotiation skill-building.
Four finalists for the 2016 “Influential Woman in Trucking” award shared their insights on career satisfaction and productivity: Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president & CEO, Garner Trucking Inc.; Karen Jones, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Ryder System; Ramona Hood, vice president of customer operations, Transportation Logistics at GENCO, a FedEx company; and Carolyn Gable, president & CEO, New Age Transportation. At the end of the panel discussion, Ramona Hood was named the winner of the 2016 “Influential Woman in Trucking” award.
The conference also provided attendees the opportunity to network with others in the industry at evening receptions, participate in group discussions on topics of interest at roundtable luncheons, and meet with more than 50 industry providers at the exhibition, including carriers, third-party logistics providers, OEMs, consultants, technology innovators, and shippers.
“This conference really showcases the vibrant community of Women In Trucking members and corporate partners,” said Voie. “We’re looking forward to continue growing the conference and raising awareness for women’s issues in the transportation industry. When we work together, our potential is limitless!”
The 2017 Accelerate! Conference & Expo will be held Nov. 6 – 9, 2017 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.
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About Women In Trucking Association, Inc.
Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 17 percent of its members are men who support the mission. Women In Trucking is supported by its members and the generosity of Gold Level Partners: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Daimler Trucks North America, BMO Transportation Finance, Expediter Services, Great Dane Trailers, J.B. Hunt Transport, Ryder System, Inc., U.S. Xpress, and Walmart. Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. For more information, visit www.womenintrucking.org or call 888-464-9482.