Friday, March 19, 2010

US Women Truck Drivers Try For World Record Convoy

A Week Left to try and Beat Guinness Target
Shipping News Feature

With only ten days left before the Women In Trucking’s “Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel” the organization is over half way to its goal to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of female professional drivers.

The current record of 416 was set in November 2004 by an “all women’s” truck convoy in Dronten, Netherlands. At this time, there are 299 professional women drivers registered for the celebration to be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY. Doors open at noon.

These women will arrive from forty three states, three provinces and the Virgin Islands. They represent a total of 3,097 years experience as professional drivers. Many of these women hold safe driving awards from their carriers and will be honoured with a gift certificate to be presented to them by Anne Ferro, Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” will include a speech by Ferro and an awards ceremony followed by a photo of the group wearing their complimentary red t-shirts. They will be treated to gifts from sponsors, entertainment, refreshments and the Women In Trucking’s signature chocolate fountain. These are all provided through the generosity of the sponsors. All female professional drivers and their immediate family members are invited and are not required to be a member of Women In Trucking. Members of Women In Trucking are also invited to participate. There is still time to register for the event by visiting www.Salute2Women.com or calling 888-464-9482. Registrations will also be accepted at the Women In Trucking booth (40565) at the show until noon Saturday.

Gold level sponsors for the event are Freightliner Trucks, Frito-Lay and Walmart. Silver level sponsor is U S Xpress. Bronze sponsors include Internet Truckstop, McGriff, Seibels, & Williams, Owner Operator DIRECT and UPS Freight. Copper sponsors are American Trucking Associations, Inc., Badger Trailer & Equipment Corp., Pitt Ohio Express, J J Keller & Associates, Inc. Nickel sponsors include American Defense Lawyers, Greatwide Dedicated Transport, Healthy Trucking Association of America, International Trucking School, Pepsi Bottling Company, Rand McNally, Roadside Medical Clinics, YRC Worldwide.

Women In Trucking was established in 2007 to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Its growth since its inception has been notable and has reached 1300 members, both corporate and individual.

http://www.womenintrucking.org/