The 2009 awards season has opened here at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, and applications are already coming in. The annual awards season is of course the lead-up to our June conference.

At the conference, along with the presentation of awards celebrating and recognizing some of the people and fleets that contribute so much to trucking in Canada, we will present a series of essential educational seminars from which every fleet manager can benefit.

The annual conference takes place June 18-19, at Queen’s Landing, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The PMTC’s annual awards luncheon is a feature of the conference, and has come to be recognized as a pivotal event in the trucking community.

The awards are some of the most prestigious in the industry, and have been offered by the PMTC for many years. They represent the commitment to excellence of PMTC, its members, and the sponsors that help us maintain the programs.

This industry is picked apart on almost a daily basis in the mainstream media and by other non-trucking factions, so awards such as those provided by PMTC and other trucking associations make important statements about the true professionals in our business. There are many positive stories about trucking but few receptive ears outside of the industry.

That makes it even more important that we in the industry take up the challenge to recognize those individuals and companies that keep this country moving safely and efficiently.

Like those of other trucking associations, the PMTC awards program is an opportunity to reflect on the things that make this such a great industry in which to earn a living.

The awards celebrate the many people who do things ‘right.’

There is no doubt that it is worth the time and the effort to participate and share the feeling of accomplishment.With many of the awards, just being part of the process is an honour that can be shared with the employees of the company.

Here’s a brief overview of the awards and how to participate:

The Hall of Fame for Professional Drivers, sponsored by Huron Services, a CPC Logistics Company inducts up to four professional drivers each year. The Hall of Fame resides on our website at www.pmtc.caand a visitor can review the outstanding records of the current 31 inductees dating back to 1990.

The safety records of these hall of fame members are extraordinary and everyone in this industry should be proud of them.

Nomination forms are available on the PMTC Web site, along with a description of the criteria for entry.While the award winners are, in the estimation of the judges the best of the best, it is also a mark of distinction for any driver to be nominated, and we encourage the participation of all our members.

The Private Fleet Safety Awards, sponsored by Zurich, are open to all private fleets in Canada. Awards are available for fleets in three categories based on fleet size.

Past award winners have not only demonstrated excellent onroad safety records, but have in place the programs that deliver those results. The awards are as much about recognizing the whole package as they are about the onroad performance. It takes a well-managed safety program built on solid principals to achieve long-term results.

Simply completing the application (available at www.pmtc.ca)will provide any fleet manager a clear pathway, or a ‘how to’ for implementing such a safety program. The awards program criteria are based on the best practices of private fleets and winning in any category is a significant achievement.

The Vehicle Graphics Design Awards, sponsored by 3M Canada adds the colour and drama to our annual awards luncheon. This marks the 24th year of these awards and the competition attracts entries from across the Country.

Awards are presented in a number of categories based on vehicle type, and are shared by the fleet and its graphics house. The Graphics competition is open to all truck fleets, private or for-hire, PMTC member or not, as we encourage the entire trucking community to put on its finest and show off just a little. Many of the entries come via the graphics industry and we welcome their role in making this such a great event.

Award winners are featured in the PMTC’s own magazine, The Counsellor, and other industry magazines such as Truck News. So join in and enjoy some free promotion, whether a fleet or a graphics house, we welcome your entries. Visit www.pmtc.caand follow the links to submit your entries online.

We look forward to another opportunity to award those that help make the trucking community a great one.

– The Private Motor Truck Council is the only national association dedicated to the private trucking community. Your comments or questions can be addressed totrucks@pmtc.ca.