10/17/2011
The 2011 Trucking Social Media Convention was held in Tunica, Mississippi on Saturday October 15,2011. Allen and Donna Smith of askthetrucker.com and truthabouttrucking.com created and hosted the event at the Gold Strike Casino and Resort. The day began with opening remarks and a wonderful buffet breakfast.
The days’ festivities were emceed by veteran long haul truck driver Toby Bogard and author of “On the Big Road” and “Semi-Aware”.
After a great meal the list of guest speakers kicked off the day long extravaganza:
First up was James McCormack from Trucking Careers of America LLC. Mr. McCormack spoke to us about how to find the right trucking job for you in a session entitled “Trucking Careers”. For more information please see their website at bigtrucksbigbucks.com.
Next up was Eddie Gichuhi from Trip Sheet Central. Mr Gichuhi gave us some sound ideas on how to set up the ultimate bookkeeping system vital to all truck drivers and medium sized truck fleets striving to run a successful business. For more information please go to tripsheetcentral.com.
This was followed by a 45 minute break to stretch our legs and network with all of the other attendees and sponsors.
The afternoon session began with Paul Taylor from Taylor and Associates Attorneys at Law. Mr. Taylor delivered some great information on what to do if you are wrongfully terminated in a trucking related situation. Examples were if you were a whistle blower, terminated for refusing to drive unsafe equipment, refusing to drive in adverse weather conditions and several others. Mr Taylor’s law firm specializes in these kind of situations but also welcomes inquiries in all areas of trucking. For more information please contact him at paul@truckersjusticecenter.com or call (651) 454-5800.
Next up was Rich Wilson from Trans Products and Trans Services. Mr. Wilson gave us some great information on CSA and also information on many industry regulations. His vast experience speaking in Washngton D.C. and while traveling the country educating the nations’ truck drivers and trucking companies was most interesting. For more information contact Rich at rich.wilson@transproducts.com or go to transproducts.com.
The final guest speaker of the day was Landon Middleton from Ultimate Marketing Solutions who spoke to us on the “Power of Social Media”. There were many great tips and suggestions on how to use social media to increase your business, maximize the effectiveness of your social media (e.g. Twitter and Facebook) and gathering data to further your effectiveness while using social media. For more information please go to http://guarantee1stpage.com.
Special awards were given out to Hope Rivenburg, widow of Jason Rivenburg for her outstanding dedication, commitment and perseverance in her efforts to insure the safety of professional drivers through Jason’s Law for Safe Trucking. For more information please visit http://jhlrivenburg.com.
Also receiving a special award was Kylla Leeburg for her never ending commitment and dedication to educating the trucking industry about the human trafficking crisis in America, through the organization Truckers Against Trafficking. I urge everyone to visit http://truckersagainsttrafficking.com and view the training video.
After a half hour break an open mike panel discussion was held to allow attendees to ask questions of the guest speakers who had previously given presentations. It was a lively hour with some great information and questions.
This was followed by sponsor giveaways for the truck drivers who attended the event. All drivers attending were issued a raffle ticket when they picked up their name badge at registration. A big round of thanks goes out to the sponsors who donated the items given away which included cb radios, gps navigating systems, bluetooth devices, cash and a complete set of trailer fairings including installation.
After the sponsor giveaways we were treated to another fabulous buffet meal put on by the Gold Strike Casiono and Resort. During dinner we were serenaded by Canadian singer/songwriter John DiBattista. His music was a wonderful addition to the great meal. Most enjoyable and soft enough to allow stimulating conversation and more networking during dinner.
The evening was topped off by a performance by professional trucker and Nashville recording artist Tony Justice. Tony is a second generation truck driver and in 2002, was endorsed by NASCAR Legend Rusty Wallace, Roger Penski and Miller Beer to record his second album entitled “Rockin’ Rusty”. Tony is anxiously awaiting the release of his third completed album, “On the Road”, written by Kenny Chesney, Kim Williams and Randy Bodreaux.
It was a long day to be sure but it was filled with great information, wonderful food, great entertainment and a chance to network and mingle with the many of the hardest working people in America, the American truck drivers.
Congratulations to Allen and Donna Smith for putting on a truly enjoyable event. Next years’ event should be even bigger and better, so COME ON DOWN! Y’all come back now, hear!
Onramp to Health 