Bestpass develops free resource to promote trucking

Bestpass recently announced that it has published an electronic version of “Operation: Big Wheels for Heroes,” a guide for planning and holding public awareness and fundraising events centered on trucking.

The 79-page guide stemmed from the company’s Touch-a-Truck fundraising event, which was held for the first time in 2014, and, according to the company, attracted more than 500 people and raised funds for Wreaths Across America. According to the company, the guide provides step-by-step instructions and templates for fleet owners and other industry groups to hold community events featuring trucks and other large vehicles.

“These events are an excellent way to give the general public access to the large vehicles that keep our country moving, by letting kids and adults alike touch, climb into, and see them up close,” president and CEO John Andrews said. “We know our colleagues in the industry love and believe in trucking as much as we do, and we hope providing this resource can help someone benefit from our experience and plan their own successful events.”

The guide provides advice on the following:

• Publicizing the event through social media platforms, radio advertising and traditional media opportunities

• Collecting donations for the selected charitable organization

• Planning catering, venues and entertainment for the event

• Evaluating the event’s success with template surveys

According to the company, Garner Trucking of Findlay, Ohio, is planning its own Touch-a-Truck event using the Bestpass manual for guidance. The event, scheduled for Aug. 15, will benefit the Children’s Museum of Findlay, and several museum exhibitors will provide trucks for the event.

“The Bestpass guide has helped us in planning our event tremendously,” said Jenny Schaub, marketing coordinator for Garner. “The templates in particular have been great guidelines for us. We will also be using the vehicle staging templates.”

Schaub said she hopes being able to see the trucks up close will help the public find them less intimidating and provide opportunities for the company to discuss the many benefits of a career in trucking.

Bestpass will hold its second Touch-a-Truck event in Albany on Oct. 3.