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The Trucking Moves America Forward campaign surpassed 80 percent of its $1 million fundraising goal, representatives of the industry-wide image-building campaign reported Tuesday at the American Trucking Associations annual MC&E conference earlier this week. The initiative – launched in March at the Mid-America Trucking Show – aims to inform policymakers, motorists and the public about the benefits of the trucking industry and to help build a groundswell of political and grassroots support to strengthen and grow trucking.
“To be at 80 percent of our goal already is a remarkable achievement,” said Kevin Burch, vice chairman of TMAF and president of Jet Express, speaking at a “state of the movement” press conference. “We’ve made concentrated efforts to lay the foundation of a groundbreaking movement within the industry and are excited about reaching our one million dollar goal. We’ve had a great start, but the best is yet to come for TMAF.”
Companies who have contributed significant financial donations include Pilot Flying J, Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry, ATA, Old Dominion Freight Lines, Love’s Travel Stops, Great West Casualty Company, Trucking Associations Executive Council and Jack Cooper Transport. Advertising donations likewise have come from a variety of publications, including Overdrive as well as CCJ, MAXIM, Transport Topics and Heavy Duty Trucking.
TMAF coverage has generated more than 25 million impressions on news media outlets, according to the group. It has also launched a full and interactive movement website with more than 1,800 subscribers and created new social media channels that have grown organically throughout the year, including a Facebook page, Youtube channel and Twitter feed.
In addition to the financial contributions, TMAF has garnered support from industry leaders such as Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and Truckload Carriers Association.
