Plover, WI (PRWEB) September 29, 2015 -- More than 350 executives in the North American transportation industry attended the 2015 Accelerate! Conference & Expo Sept. 20-22 at the Hilton Anatole resort. According to Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association, the goal of the event was to bring together the industry for solid education and networking - all with the common goal of encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry.
The conference opened with professional race car driver, Jennifer Jo Cobb, sharing her challenges and successes as NASCAR's only female owner-driver in the series. Debbie Gardner of the Survive Institute gave a powerful message to encourage and empower women. Nagin Cox shared her experience as a member of NASA's Mars Curiosity mission. David Coleman also known as “the Dating Doctor," stressed the importance of professional and personal relationships in the transportation industry.
Numerous speakers and panel discussions filled out the two day event, with closing remarks by Deputy FMCSA Administrator, Daphne Jefferson. She shared her experiences from a two-day ride-along with female professional drivers, arranged by the Women In Trucking Association. The event also featured more than 60 exhibitors and sponsors as part of an exhibition.
"We were truly overwhelmed by the energy and passion shared by the women and men who attended our conference," said Voie. "Our goal was to bring a diverse line up of speakers to a diverse group of attendees who have one thing in common; to increase the percentage of women employed in the trucking industry. I believe we exceeded their expectations for our first event." Voie founded the non-profit organization in 2007 and plans to make the conference an annual event.
Mary Aufdemberg, chair of the Women In Trucking board of directors and director of product marketing at Freightliner Trucks, also attended the event. "The Women in Trucking inaugural Accelerate! Conference focused on cultivating the talent we already have, and developing ideas on how to draw more diverse talent into trucking careers,” Aufdemberg said. "The uniquely positioned conference - which created dialogue on a wide range of topics from building relationships to leading organizations, from safety skills to recruiting - ensured attendees left inspired with fresh ideas and ready to sign up for next year.”
A social event at the conference included a southwestern theme and line dancing lessons, and ultimately raised $2,000 for the a Women In Trucking Scholarship Foundation.
Mindshare Strategies, a management and marketing firm specializing in transportation and logistics, acted as conference planners, according to Voie. MindShare is already beginning to plan for the 2016 conference, and can be reached at 615-696-1870 for more information about next year's event.
View and download photos here: https://witaccelerate2015.shutterfly.com/
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Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 16 percent of its members are men who support the mission. Women In Trucking is supported by its members and the generosity of Gold Level Partners: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Daimler Trucks NA, GE Capital Transportation Finance, Great Dane Trailers, J.B. Hunt Transport, Ryder Systems, Inc., U.S. Xpress, and Walmart. Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. For more information, visit http://www.womenintrucking.org or call 888-464-9482.
Ellen Voie, Women In Trucking Association, Inc., http://www.womenintrucking.org, +1 920-312-1350, [email protected]
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