Our annual Management Conference and Expo, held each February, provides a blend of leading edge presentations on the trends affecting our industry (whether customer service, logistics, equipment and information technology, effective management practices, or the economy) with a discussion of the major legislative and regulatory issues.

This association is a strong advocate in promoting the interests of its members on a broad range of issues and in shaping industry policy. The Board of Directors is the governing body which formulates policy. Our recent accomplishments and current policy initiatives include:

• Successfully opposed changes to the hours-of-service rules for interstate truck drivers, proposed by the Department of Transportation, which would substantially decrease driver hours and productivity;
• Successfully opposed before Congress costly federal rules on ergonomics, by OSHA, which would have not enhanced workplace safety and would have cost LTL carriers hundreds of millions of dollars;
• Preserved the right of motor carriers to limit liability for cargo loss or damage;
• Now seeking to eliminate burdensome state fees imposed on interstate carriers for registering insurance;
• Promoting states' rights to authorize safe and efficient longer combination vehicles, particularly triples on highways in more western states;
• Preserving antitrust immunity for the national freight classification system and interline and pooling arrangements;
• Promoting retention of the uniform carrier bill of lading;
• Insuring carriers timely access to drivers' and motor vehicle records.

Our annual Educational Management Seminar is the focal point of our educational program. We offer continuing educational opportunities to increase knowledge in systems, equipment and management techniques, plus a wide range of operational issues. It is a forum for business opportunities and networking with members who will share their experiences with you.

This seminar affords members an excellent opportunity to learn from transportation and business experts, educators, and their peers, about how to successfully implement and enhance marketing, software, operational, safety and cost savings programs.

Since attending my first Educational Management Seminar in 1992, I have been convinced that joining the RDCC and now the Distribution & LTL Carriers Association is one of the best business decisions I have made. They are always working to increase our knowledge of the industry and at the same time afford us the opportunity to grow with our personal business through network marketing.

The best part of being a member is the sharing of information, ideas and business concepts with similarly situated motor carriers from all over the nation. The knowledge received from this membership is an invaluable tool to insure our continued profitable operations, growth and development. Any company that is not a member is missing an opportunity to be part of a dynamic group of motor carriers who will be the surviving operators in the 21st century.