TORONTO, Ont. — Cancom Tracking and the Canadian Trucking have announced the creation of a new National Dispatcher of the Year Award program.

The award recognizes an outstanding individual in the field of dispatch.

The winner of the National Dispatcher of the Year Award will be drawn from current recipients of the Dispatcher of the Year Award in each of the participating provincial associations including: Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, Ontario Trucking Association, Manitoba Trucking Association, Saskatchewan Trucking Association and the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

"Dispatchers play an instrumental role in the overall process of transporting highway freight," said Canadian Trucking Alliance CEO David Bradley. "This award program is an excellent vehicle for spotlighting outstanding dispatchers."

"Cancom is extremely pleased with the expansion of this prestigious award. The most significant form of recognition is that of your peers and your customers: which is what this award is all about. The National Dispatcher of the Year is taking this recognition to another level," said Mike Ham, Cancom Tracking, vice president.

The provincial Dispatcher of the Year Award, presented through a partnership between Cancom Tracking and the provincial trucking associations, has been in existence for over six years.

Dispatchers are often referred to as the lifeline of a carrier; they are responsible for maintaining strong relationships between themselves, their customers and their drivers as well as create an efficient and pleasant working environment. The Dispatcher Award is given to an individual who demonstrates a commitment to customer service, driver well being and safety, courtesy, teamwork, problem solving and community service/volunteer work. For a dispatcher to be considered for the award, nomination forms must be submitted to the local associations and accompanied by letters of recommendation from a minimum of two drivers and two customers.

Each association will honor a dispatcher at their annual convention; the winner will then receive a plaque and cash prize courtesy of Cancom. The CTA will convene a selection panel that will review the winners and one of them will be named the 2005 National Dispatcher of the Year.