DARTMOUTH, N.S. – The Truckers Association of Nova Scotia’s (TANS) Associated Trades Council is spearheading a drive to increase its profile and is open to new ideas.

The council held a brainstorming session Jan. 19 at Atlantic Tractor in Dartmouth.

According to Derek Melvin, president of the council, TANS members’ busy schedules and heavy workloads make marketing to them a real challenge.

“It’s hard meeting these guys when they’re out working every day, 20 hours a day,” he says, adding that the only sure-fire method of attracting the truckers attention is through the tried-and-true annual conference, which the associated trades put on.

Melvin says ideas that are being kicked around include possible family days or the sponsorship of safety courses, such as brake adjustment and first aid. The council already performs some charity work, such as sponsoring dances and raising funds for the IWK Hospital For Children in Dartmouth.

Part of the council’s agenda for 2001 is to boost participation, since many of the 35 associated companies aren’t very active with the association, beyond paying their dues and attending the annual conference, Melvin explains.

“I don’t think they really get much bang for their buck for being a member.”

The council is arming itself with data, supplied from surveys distributed to TANS members since November.

“They are mostly small independent guys, so maybe they can use some help with accounting and regulations,” he says. n