The Truckload Carriers Association is replacing its traditional New Member Breakfast with an evening cocktail reception, to be held Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., prior to the start of the convention at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla.


Aaron Tennant, carrier co-chairman of TCA's Membership Committee and president of Tennant Truck Lines of Orion, Ill., said that the new event would better facilitate networking and relaxed, casual conversation between members.

"It's important for new members to start off with that first, powerful dose of networking so they grasp what this association is all about," he said. "There's a wealth of support and knowledge available. We'll help the newest members tap into that right away."

The guest list for the New Member Reception will include meeting attendees who joined TCA in 2011 and 2012, as well as TCA's officers, division chairs, committee chairs, and "Rigster" members (individual employees of TCA-member companies who have been credited with recruiting new members).

"If any company is on the fence about either joining TCA or attending the convention, plan to come to Kissimmee one evening early to be part of our New Member Reception," said Tom Dickmeyer, the associate co-chairman of TCA's Membership Committee and the CEO of Cline Wood Agency of Leawood, Kan. "It's one thing to send in a dues check or a convention registration fee, but it's entirely different to interact with the movers and shakers of the truckload industry in person."