5 www.ortrucking.org Issue 1 | 2023 ADVOCATING, EDUCATING, AND PROMOTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS representing trucking in Oregon on April 27, the stronger an impression we will leave with decisionmakers! Don’t let the fact that you haven’t participated in the past keep you from coming this year. We have experienced members ready to take the lead in individual legislator meetings, but we also need to show strong support with participation from as many OTA members as possible. From hiring practices to taxes to road construction projects, OTA needs to show our strength as an organization. Can we count on you to be there? But not all of OTA’s advocacy efforts involve issue management—some of our member engagement opportunities are even more fun than fighting back against harmful legislation! Participation in our exclusive member events such as the Spring Safety Conference, the Annual Leadership Convention or our Maintenance Fair provide both educational and networking opportunities that can grow your business. Our Truck Driving Championship scheduled for this June is one of my favorite OTA events. In 2019, we gathered in Portland where over 500 contestants and their families and their companies were in attendance to cheer on the “best of the best” as they competed for Nationals held later that summer. This year’s event is scheduled for June in Portland and we look forward to spending the day with you as we are reminded of the skill and professionalism in our industry. Let’s work toward setting a new record of attendance at this year’s event! Not only will strong participation highlight our member involvement, it also shows the public and policymakers the strength of our industry. There are many challenges before us as a business association and as an industry. We see technological changes before us as advocates push for carbon-neutral fuels as our source of energy. We see changes in consumer spending that will impact our delivery approaches and equipment needs. And we see policy changes to encourage production in our country rather than outsource to foreign workers which will impact raw material and Get the latest on OTA training & events online at www.ortrucking.org/events. finished goods transportation needs for years to come. As you consider how you’ll get involved in OTA’s advocacy efforts this year, I’ll leave you with the words of Queen Elizabeth II: “It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” Take a small step this year. Volunteer. Participate. We will all be the better for it.
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