In This Edition:

Chairman's Corner
MATS In Review
Tech Award
Communication Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Annual Dues & Data Update
Financial Report
The Lighter Side

Chairman's Corner
By TWNA Board Chairman, Denise Rondini
Thanks to all who attended this year's banquet. It was a great success and we were able to streamline it from last year. We will continue to look at ways to improve it for next year.

Despite being moved to Friday afternoon, the TWNA meeting was fairly well attended and productive.

Tom Kelley provided a state of the association in terms of our financial position. See the article elsewhere in this edition of the Dispatch for details.

A reminder that this fall we will be holding elections for the following Board of Directors positions: OEM, Organization, Suppliers, Canada/Europe. Nominations will be open later this summer.

If you have not done so already, please renew your TWNA membership. Contact Tom Kelley for details.

The TWNA By-Laws are in the process of being rewritten to reflect our current structure. Roxane Rose has agreed to chair the committee working on that project. Please contact Roxane if you have any suggestions on what should be included in the new By-Laws. Revised By-Laws will be presented to the full membership for ratification.

I am chairing a committee to look at once and for all establishing a TWNA scholarship. Joining me on the committee are Mike Pennington, Dan Barnhill and Andy Haraldson. We hope to have a proposal for the membership to vote on sometime this summer.

The TWNA web site will soon feature an expanded industry events calendar, listing both truck industry events, and truck user events. Tom Gelinas has agreed to take responsibility for that project. (Thanks, Tom). Please contact him if you know of any shows, conventions and/or seminars that should be listed.

The subject of TWNA's visibility came up at the meeting. We discussed the fact that we need to get our name out to the general media on a more consistent basis. The board will look at ways to do that. Your suggestions are welcome.

On a personal note, it was great to see all of you at MATS and to get caught up on what's been going in since last we saw each other. Enjoy your summer

MATS In Review
By Eric Berard, Canada/Europe Representative
As far as I am concerned, the 2005 edition of the MATS has been one of the best since I have been attending it (first in 1999).

Of course, there were lots of work and press conferences but their relevance level was much higher than some held in the past where people would call a press conference only to state how great their company and/or product is without anything really new to announce. Also, at the exception of one, all people presenting press conferences were really open to questions. Which is another improvement.

I don't know about the rest of you guys but I just hate press conferences (like International's) that are held on the show floor when the show is open to the public. It's too crowded, you have to fight for minimal space to hold a pen… definitely not the ideal work environment. Nothing personal against International but they missed the boat this year. I think companies should be reminded that a press conference is… for the press. Doing animation on the show floor for the customers is fine, but the two events should be kept separate.

TWNA's yearly assembly was also real good. Even though participation was not at its highest, debates were open and it seemed to me that opinions were expressed more clearly and went more directly to the point. We should definitely work at getting a higher membership and higher participation at the meeting but I liked this year's spirit.

Last thing, TWNA's banquet. Fine job by Tom Kelley and the rest of the team. Yes, it was still a little long but much quicker than the first year. Also a good idea to have Paul Hartley to take pictures as souvenirs on CD. The only thing I regret is the number of people who left before the evening was actually over. I know that days in Louisville are very long but maybe we should look at some ways to keep the participants during the whole banquet. Maybe separate the awards in two segments? One before the meal and the other after? This way the "speech part" would seem lighter? Or keep the lifetime achievement award for the very end? Some kind of meaningful drawing at the end of the night?

As the Canadian representative on the board, I couldn't avoid to notice that Canadians have multiplied by five the number of awards they were handed compared to last year. It doesn't mean Canadian journalists are better than Americans (unless… ha ha ha!!!) but it seems to indicate that their participation in TWNA and TWNA events is on the rise, which is certainly a good thing.

It was great seeing you in Louisville, see you again in 2006!

Technical Achievement Award
ConMet's TruTurn Fully Machined Brake Drum has taken the honors as TWNA's 2004 Technical Achievement Award winner. TWNA's Western Region Director Tom Berg, and Tech Award Committee Member Paul Ableson, presented the award to Al Anderson, Field Sales Manager for Consolidated Metco (ConMet), during ceremonies held February 17, 2005, at the winter meeting of the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council meeting.

The presentation was also repeated at TWNA's Industry Awards Banquet held during the Mid-America Trucking Show, with Tech Award Co-Chairman Eric Berard handling the presentation duties at that venue.

"The TruTurn brake drum is truly unique in that it is machined on the outside as well as the inside," explained Rob Edstrom, ConMet's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "Through this process the drum is `turned to balance,' which means it is inherently balanced, as well as having its strength optimized because the drum wall thickness is uniform around the circumference."

The TruTurn process gives the drum strength because there's no need for weld-on weights or balance cuts which can weaken a standard drum. The result is a drum with less potential for cracking, lower per-stop temperatures, a more uniform distribution of temperature and braking forces; all of which deliver a longer life-cycle. The drum's uniform wall thickness also contributes to more consistent thermal expansion and, therefore, minimizes brake vibration for better braking performance.

Communication Awards
In its second year, the TWNA Communication Award program generated more than 60 entries. More than two dozen of the top scoring entries received awards. Winners included magazines and publishing companies, public relations firms and individuals.

The competition recognizes excellence in trucking industry journalism in both the trade and the mainstream press, as well as excellence in communication by public relations professionals. These included TWNA members and non-members.

TWNA will continue the Communication Awards in 2005 with the third annual edition covering materials produced for distribution between December 1, 2004, and November 30, 2005. The entry deadline for the 2005 Communication Awards will be December 1, 2005.

TWNA 2004 Communication Awards - Winners

Category Awards
2004 Mid-America Trucking Show - Marcus Thomas/Alcoa - Bronze
Big Rigs - Bette Garber - Published by MBI - Bronze
Evolving Trailer Technology 2004 - Great Dane Trailers - Bronze
HOS: Smell the Coffee - Ingrid Phaneuf - Truck News - Bronze
NOX Factor - Rolf Lockwood - Today's Trucking - Bronze
Old Brand, New Message - Michael Nott & Parthenon Publishing - Road King - Bronze
Powerful Luxury - David A. Kolman & Parthenon Publishing - Road King - Bronze
Road King July/August 2004 - Michael Nott & Parthenon Publishing - Bronze
Rubber Soul - Doug Siefkes, The Siefkes Group & Goodyear - Land Line - Bronze
Semirremolque - Great Dane Trailers - Bronze
The Biggest Tax You Never Knew About - Mark Reddig - Land Line - Bronze
A Father's Search for the Truth - Mark Reddig - Land Line - Silver
A Solid Deal - David A Kolman & Parthenon Publishing - Road King - Silver
Baseplate Baghdad - Jami Jones - Land Line - Silver
Clean Air Solutions Media Briefing - D. Mike Pennington - ArvinMeritor - Silver
Condamnés à s'entendre - Eric Berard - L'Echo du transport - Silver
Do It Yourself - Paul Abelson - Land Line - Silver
Old Time Trucks Aug./Sept. 2004 - Shirley Sponholtz & Stan Holtzman - Silver
Old Time Trucks Aug./Sept. 2004 - Shirley Sponholtz - Old Time Trucks - Silver
Star Trek - Steve Bouchard - Today's Trucking - Silver
The Faces Behind the Wheel - Jan Stürman & Debbie Johnson - Land Line - Silver
The Wireless Dealership - Denise Rondini, Jessica Erickson, Kim Ehrenhaft - Successful Dealer - Silver
TireLogic, Summer 2004 - Doug Siefkes, The Siefkes Group & Goodyear - Silver
World's Best, Fall 2004 - Kenworth Truck Company - Silver
Distributor of the Year Finalist - Denise Rondini, Jim Moss & Kim Ehrenhaft - Truck Parts & Service - Gold
Less is More -John Jones & Great Dane Trailers - Evolving Trailer Technology - Gold
Make Room for Large Vehicles - Cliff Cothern & Beverly Steele - Ol' Blue, USA - Gold
Ol' Blue's Ask the Law - RJ Taylor, Sr. Trooper Monty Dial & Officer Greg Hardin - Midnight Trucking Radio - Gold
On the Road with Merle Haggard - Mark Tucker & Parthenon Publishing - Road King - Gold
Payday - Marco Beghetto - Today's Trucking - Gold
Red Ball Motor Freight - Gary Fancher - Old Time Trucks - Gold
Size Does Matter - Bill Hudgins - Land Line - Gold
Truck Vote - Land Line Staff - Land Line - Gold

Best of Division Awards
Newsletters - Less is More - John Jones & Great Dane Trailers - Evolving Trailer Technology
Radio - Ol' Blue's Ask the Law - RJ Taylor, Sr. Trooper Monty Dial & Officer Greg Hardin - Midnight Trucking Radio
Magazines - Size Does Matter - Bill Hudgins - Land Line

Best of 2004 Award
Size Does Matter - Bill Hudgins - Land Line

Lifetime Achievement Award
Whether it's a seasoned trucker or a group of first-graders, one man is committed to answering the tough questions about the trucking industry. He's got the right answer to everything thing from "Where does a truck driver use the bathroom?" to "How do I log it when I stop to go to the bathroom?" In an industry where at times it may be hard to come by real answers, this man has made huge strides in changing all that.

TWNA's Lifetime Achievement Award Winner RJ Taylor has single-handedly brought communication - real communication with real answers - to reality.

This prestigious award presented and sponsored by Peterbilt Motors recognizes a TWNA member who has made outstanding contributions to the improvement of communications in the trucking industry throughout their career.

In addition to excellence in journalism and service to TWNA, recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award should also have a record of working with other industry organizations, sharing their knowledge, skills, contacts and resources for the general improvement of industry communications.

Communicators from both the public relations/marketing and press sides of the industry are eligible for consideration for the award. Nominations are peer-generated, and the selection is made by a committee of TWNA directors and members.

Taylor took a trucking career that started with he was in his teens and has transformed it into one of the most recognizable safety and education programs on the road today - Ol' Blue, USA.

Founded in 1986, Ol' Blue, USA, is dedicated to educating the nation on highway safety and to improving relations between law enforcement, commercial drivers and the motoring public.

Truckers have come to count on finding Taylor and Ol' Blue at the major trucking shows every year - and they look forward to it. Knowing that they will find a contingent of very approachable and knowledgeable representatives from the law-enforcement community, truckers know there's one place for sure they can get a straight answer on just about anything - at Ol' Blue.

In less than 10 minutes at the Ol' Blue booth, bystanders will hear truckers' rapid-fire questions, ranging from proper logbook documentation all the way to obscure FMCSA regulations.

And it's not much different at one of Ol' Blue's school visits. After the obligatory honks of the air horn, Taylor launches into a fun and informative presentation about the "big trucks" on the road. His honest and straightforward answers leave students and teachers alike admiring - no longer fearing - the giants of the road.

Taylor's ability to create such an open forum of communication made him a natural choice to be the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.

Taylor's journey into the trucking industry limelight started in 1957, when he got his chauffeur's license. Less than four years later, he became an owner-operator and eventually worked his way into heavy haul.

Taylor bought his flagship Kenworth in 1964 and eventually gained media attention by hauling some pretty spectacular loads - like the Apollo in 1973. By 1985, Ol' Blue had gained quite the high profile, with more than 150 media appearances.

It wasn't long after that when Tim Young took over the reins of the Mid-America Trucking Show. He was looking for "attractions," according to Ol' Blue board member David Kolman, and Taylor seemed to be a natural fit.

The year 1986 marked the first of Ol' Blue, USA's appearances at the Mid-America Trucking Show. That very first show planted the seeds of what is known as Ol' Blue, USA. Later, Taylor found himself in a booth across from the California Highway Patrol, and conversations between Taylor and the law-enforcement officials evolved into the United Safety Alliance - the USA of Ol' Blue, USA.

Over the years, Taylor transformed his time at MATS and other trucking shows from an "appearance" gig to a conduit of communication between law enforcement and truckers.

His lifetime of providing a non-intimidating environment for the sharing of real communication affords the Truck Writers of North America the opportunity to not only thank him, but also to recognize him with the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Special recognition must also be given to Peterbilt, not only for being the Presenting Sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award, but also for being the first to support the Industry Awards Banquet. It's quite fitting that an award recognizing communicators who take the initiative is presented by a company with the same beliefs.

Annual Dues & Data Update
The annual membership renewal period, kicked off at the Mid-America Trucking Show, is now upon us. Renewals must be paid by May 20th of each year for a member's data to be included in the annual directory.

Press dues of US$35.00 cover one individual, and are non-transferable. Associate Individual dues of US$50.00 are for non-business use (Non-Profit, Gov't, Retired). Associate Business dues of US$100.00 cover a single member, and are transferable. Corporate dues (Press or Associate) of US$500.00 cover an entire staff. Checks must be in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. As a reminder, the credit card payment option is no longer available.

In the next week or two, you should receive a member data update form via snail-mail. Please review this form carefully and note any changes or corrections. If you haven't already paid your 2005 dues, please enclose the completed form with your renewal payment, and mail it to TWNA at your earliest convenience. If your 2005 dues have already been paid, just fax the completed form to (704) 509-4932

State of the Association
As of 4/21/05, TWNA has a bank balance of $3,866.51, of which, $1,235.00 is from 2005 dues payments. Our current member count is 135 members, of which, 54 are associate members, and 81 are press members. This compares with a member count of approximately 98 back in early 2003, before TWNA's restructuring.

Although the last few pennies have yet to be counted, and some receivables are still outstanding, the 2005 Industry Awards Banquet was tremendously successful from a financial perspective, contributing substantially to the TWNA treasury. This, combined with income from member directory ads and dues renewals will help to balance our operating budget.

The Lighter Side . . . Of Retirement

Plan Ahead For Your Retirement...
About 2 years ago my friend and I were on a cruise through the western Mediterranean aboard a Princess liner.

At dinner we noticed an elderly lady sitting alone along the rail of the grand stairway in the main dining room. I also noticed that all the staff, ships officers, waiters, busboys, etc., all seemed very familiar with this lady. I asked our waiter who the lady was, expecting to be told she owned the line, but he said he only knew that she had been on board for the last four cruises, back to back.

As we left the dining room one evening I caught her eye and stopped to say hello. We chatted and I said, "I understand you've been on this ship for the last four cruises." She replied, "Yes, that's true." I stated, "I don't understand" and she replied, without a pause, "It's cheaper than a nursing home."

So, there will be no nursing home in my future. When I get old and feeble, I am going to get on a Princess Cruise Ship. The average cost for a nursing home is $200 per day. I have checked on reservations at Princess and I can get a long term discount and senior discount price of $135 per day. That leaves $65 a day for:

1. Gratuities which will only be $10 per day.

2. I can have as many as 10 meals a day if I can waddle to the restaurant, or I can have room service which means I can have breakfast in bed every day of the week.

3. Princess has as many as three swimming pools, a workout room, free washers and dryers, and shows every night.

4. They have free toothpaste and razors, and free soap and shampoo.

5. They will even treat you like a customer, not a patient. An extra $5 worth of tips will have the entire staff scrambling to help you.

6. I will get to meet new people every 7 or 14 days.

7. T.V. broken? Light bulb need changing? Need to have the mattress replaced? No problem! They will fix everything and apologize for your inconvenience.

8. Clean sheets and towels every day, and you don't even have to ask for them.

9. If you fall in the nursing home and break a hip you are on Medicare; if you fall and break a hip on the Princess ship they will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.

Now hold on for the best! Do you want to see South America, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or name where you want to go? Princess will have a ship ready to go. So don't look for me in a nursing home, if I want to call someone or someone wants to talk to me, just call ship to shore.

P.S. Don't forget, when you die, they just dump you over the side at no charge.