Labor Day Offers Preview of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

ATA Leads NTDAW Celebration Sept. 11-17

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Sep 02, 2016, 03:32 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations recognize the 7.3 million trucking industry employees who make valuable contributions to safely moving America's freight ahead of Labor Day Weekend. ATA also encourages industry stakeholders to prepare for the upcoming National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, being held nationwide September 11-17.

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. Trucking Moves America Forward.

"Those who work in the trucking industry or personally know a truck driver understand the important work that these men and women do on the road each day," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "Truck drivers are safe, dedicated individuals who help provide our daily goods and I hope the public celebrates and thanks all 3.5 million of them during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week."

The trucking industry, which provides one out of every 16 jobs in America, moves more than 70.1% of the nation's total freight tonnage. Further, more than 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities – providing access to 21st century products to both remote rural communities and urban centers.

This year's National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 11-17. Morning shows throughout the country are broadcasting live via satellite from ATA First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch's Jet Express facility in Dayton, Ohio, where America's Road Team Captains will discuss the trucking industry and the professional truck driving career. Motor carriers and industry suppliers are encouraged to browse ATA's NTDAW Event Ideas and host appreciation events as a way of saying thank you to truck drivers and their families.

"Truck drivers are incredibly vital to our economy, but they're also valuable members of their communities, oftentimes serving as baseball coaches, pastors and volunteers," said ATA First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch. "That level of civic engagement is a unique foundation of the trucking industry, and whether truck drivers are delivering FEMA disaster relief aid or dropping their kids off at school they are focused on safety at all times."

The official 2016 NTDAW logo can be downloaded on the ATA website. The site also offers resources ranging from state proclamation drafts to examples of editorials for trucking industry affiliates to enhance their driver appreciation events. ATA provides these resources to the industry to make it easier for passionate industry professionals to engage their communities in this important week. These resources improve the image of the professional truck driver and demonstrate community support for the challenging work that drivers do each day.

ACT 1 is a premier sponsor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Sponsors for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week also include Help, Inc., Provider of PrePass, Velociti, U.S. Legal Services, Smart Drive and Trucker Path.

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