PMTC conference sets record numbers

by Mike Millian

The 2016 annual conference of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) took place in June, and once again proved itself to be the single best educational and networking forum for the private trucking community. This year also saw the continued growth of this conference, as we once again set records for registered attendees and conference sponsors.

The educational portion of our conference, led by knowledgeable and professional speakers, continued the tradition of providing fast-paced, in-depth learning opportunities, on timely and important topics for private carriers and their suppliers.

In addition to the seminars, the learning continued with receptions in our Exhibitors’ Showcase. This showcase gave participants the opportunity to view and discuss products and services with suppliers in a relaxed, congenial atmosphere.

PMTC members will agree that one of the most important benefits derived from their membership is the opportunity to learn and share information and ideas with other fleet operators. This conference provides these opportunities, as attendees are provided with three dedicated times for networking and camaraderie.

The private trucking community is a close-knit group, and this is in part one of the great benefits of being part of the PMTC; these companies freely share ideas and insight, whether in a formal setting or informal afterwards. The PMTC Young Leaders group also hosted a pre-conference reception the night prior to the beginning of the conference this year.

The Board of Directors, conference sponsors and the PMTC Young Leaders were provided an opportunity to mingle, share and learn from each other in a relaxed and informal setting. The turnout for the pre-conference reception exceeded expectations.

One of the most important features of the conference continues to be the celebration of excellence, both personal and corporate, in the world of private trucking.
The induction into the PMTC Hall of Fame for Professional Drivers, sponsored by Huron Services Group, is one such opportunity.

The competition to be inducted is fierce as the number of inductees each year is limited. Limiting the number of inductees ensures that those who receive the honor are truly the best of the best.

Given the number of exceptional drivers in PMTC member fleets, those that are inducted are truly at the top of their game.

This year the committee selected two drivers for the Hall of Fame.

Wayne Jantzi began driving for Home Hardware on Nov. 3, 1977 and has maintained an accident-free driving record for the last 37 years, accumulating more than five million kilometers during that span.

Monte Boylen has been employed by Superior Propane since October 1975. Monte has been a professional driver for a total of 41 years, and has amassed 1.8 million kilometers, 73,800 truck hours, and nearly 100,000 deliveries accident-free during this time. Congratulations to both drivers!

The Private Fleet Safety Awards, sponsored by Aviva, recognizes excellent fleet performance over an extended period of time.

Three PMTC fleets were recognized for their achievements in developing, implementing and maintaining stringent safety protocols that result in outstanding on-road safety records.

The 2016 awards were presented to John Deere in the medium fleet category (less than 75 power units), Home Hardware in the large fleet category (75 or more) and to Bridgestone Canada for most improved fleet.

The PMTC’s first statement in its goals and objectives, written in 1977 and still applicable today, was to “promote safety in private trucking,” and both the Hall of Fame and the Private Fleet Safety awards exemplify our commitment to those goals.

And for something entirely different, the Vehicle Graphics Design Awards, co-sponsored by 3M Canada, were presented along with a video of one of the finest displays of truck graphics to be seen anywhere.

During last year’s 2015 conference, the PMTC announced a new Education Program, called the PMTC Logistics Management Certification Diploma, comprised of select courses from the CITT program of study. In conjunction with this, at this year’s conference, PMTC presented an emerging young leader with an education bursary, which will provide our first ever recipient, Matthew Carr from Huron Services group with more than $1,300 in funding to use towards taking the CITT courses.

Congratulations Matt! Also new to this year’s conference was the Professional CMV Driver Training Scholarship. The winner of this scholarship, Mike Russell from Superior Propane, will receive a best-in-class certified training program that meets the industry’s highest standards. Congratulations Mike for being the first ever recipient of this scholarship.

For more information on all the award winners, please visit our website at www.pmtc.ca.

***

Mike Millian is president of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, the only national association that represents the views and interests of the private fleet industry. He can be reached at trucks@pmtc.ca.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*