ATA opens MCE registration, nominations for Mike Russell trucking image awards

The American Trucking Associations recently opened registration for the 2021 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE), which is scheduled for Oct. 23-26 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The association also opened nominations for the Mike Russell Trucking Industry Image Awards, which will be presented during the Management Conference. Last year, ATA recognized the Nebraska Trucking Association, J&M Tank Lines, and America’s Road Team Captain Rhonda Hartman, a driver for Old Dominion Freight Line.

“Our industry is powering the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and at this year’s MCE we will be gathering—in person—to celebrate all the industry has done together,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “Trucking drives our economy’s growth and our nation’s success, and I look forward to welcoming our community together to reconnect and plan for the future.”

Under the banner “Celebrating the Growth of Trucking,” ATA says its 2021 MCE promises to be one of the first times since the pandemic’s onset that industry leaders will meet with peers face-to-face for educational sessions, networking, and reports from government officials and executives about what the future holds for trucking.

“Every year, MCE is a highlight on the trucking calendar,” said ATA Chair Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Transportation Group in Findlay, Ohio. “And it is such a pleasure to be planning to gather with my fellow ATA members this October in the Music City.”

This year’s event is expected to draw more than 4,000 attendees, feature 200-plus exhibitors, guest speakers from the highest levels of government and business, as well as “dozens” of breakout education sessions, policy committees and meetings, and entertainment at the closing banquet provided by the award-winning Brothers Osborne.

Visit mce.trucking.org for more information or to register.

The prestigious Mike Russell award is presented to an individual, motor carrier, trucking organization, and industry supplier who demonstrate excellence in illustrating the trucking industry’s essentiality, safety-first approach to doing business, and professionalism.

“This past year, it was especially moving to see that our professional truck drivers were recognized as frontline heroes and the trucking industry was established as essential to every American,” Spear said.  “While many told the story of trucking during the pandemic, this award honors individuals and organizations that consistently go above and beyond to broaden and strengthen the awareness of the industry to policy makers, the media, and the public.”

Mike Russell Trucking Industry Image submissions are evaluated by an expert, impartial panel of judges based on creativity, frequency, impact, and execution. Visit the official nomination page to find out more about the award and how to submit a nomination.

Completed applications should be submitted to ATA’s Industry Affairs department by Aug. 30.

“The pandemic has certainly been a challenging year, but a year where we have seen the trucking industry gain incredible momentum in the way we are perceived,” said Elisabeth Barna, executive vice president of industry affairs. “It is more important than ever to keep the positive image of the industry in the headlines, and we are looking forward to the award submissions to do just that.”