TMSA: Looking Back at 2019, Looking Forward in 2020

By Brian Everett, CEO of TMSA

Wow, what an incredible year 2019 was for the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association!
We’ve added more programs, services and value available to TMSA members. Along with TMSA’s President Candi Cybator (Director of Marketing for PITT OHIO), I’m please to report the amazing progress made in 2019:

• TMSA created a new mission statement: To enable sales and marketing professionals to about and advance the transportation and logistics industry through education, connections and resources – ultimately strengthening their individual development, their businesses, and the industry at large. We’re now living and breathing this new mission in everything we do!

• Membership is up substantially and the TMSA community is stronger than ever. In fact, we added approximately 220 new individual professionals to the membership roster in 2019!

• TMSA hosted an amazing 2019 TMSA Logistics Marketing & Sales Conference last June at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort near Jacksonville, Fla. Approximately 250 professionals attended – having access to 50 hours of education and learning. This included approximately 60 sales professionals attending TMSA’s first Sales Training Workshop (led by Luminaries Consulting, a TMSA Affiliate member).

• More than 50 marketing and sales initiatives in transportation and logistics were entered in the 67^th annual TMSA Compass Awards Program in 2019, with 28 of them earning an award. These best practices now are available for consumption by all TMSA members in the Members Only section of the website.

• TMSA hosted its second annual Digital Transformation Conference in Chicago in October, with 50 professionals having access to 15 hours of education and learning.

• In addition, 22 sales professionals participated in TMSA’s second Sales Training Workshop in Chicago in October – giving them access to an additional 6.5 hours of education and learning on critical sales skill-building.

• TMSA named Don Friddell as its CMO and COO to help execute our various programs and initiatives – and to manage the tremendous growth the association is experiencing. I’m so pleased to have Don on our team, given his depth of marketing expertise and long-time experience in transportation and logistics as previous Director of Marketing at Kenco. He’s already successfully led significant enhancements to our operations, including the integration of Hubspot as our new marketing platform and many other initiatives

So what can you expect as a member of TMSA in 2020?
Through the significant leadership, energy and passion from our current TMSA Board of Directors, we have set a very aggressive course for growth and expansion of services and value for the next three years. The objectives of this 3-year strategic plan are focused on:

1. Strengthening TMSA’s organizational presence through Connections and Programs that stretch across the industry.
2. Being seen as the ultimate “Go-to Source” for transportation sales and marketing professionals
3. Developing a sustainable, diversified business model for revenue and resourcing.

Here’s just a snapshot of what you can expect in 2020 as the first year of this longer-term strategy:

Continued growth in membership. We’re engaging new marketing, sales, and business strategy executives in all modes and markets in transportation and logistics – ranging from third-party logistics providers, brokers, IMCs and forwarders to motor carriers, maritime players (port authorities and ocean carriers), railroads, technology innovators, and original equipment manufacturers. In fact, we are so focused on aggressive growth that we anticipate more than 30% increase in new membership!

Expansion in educational opportunities. With more challenges and opportunities for Marketing and Sales functions in transportation and logistics, TMSA sees a stronger need for relevant content and education. Therefore, we’re planning to provide several opportunities, including:

• Monthly webinars. We will continue to deliver quality, relevant content that you can consume in the comfort of your own office – without any travel. > Learn More

• TMSA Connections Events. We are planning to host a full-day event March 11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta - featuring NFL legends Peyton and Archie Manning, as well as best practices and relevant marketing and sales information in transportation and logistics. This all takes place in conjunction with the MODEX Show. We’re also planning on another Connections Event in Toronto, Ontario. More details coming soon! > Learn More

• 2020 TMSA Logistics Marketing & Sales Conference. “The Future is NOW” is our theme, helping marketing, sales and business strategy professionals leverage vision, technology, and best practices to create business results. It all takes place June 7-10 in Nashville, Tennessee. Register now – or consider Exhibiting or Sponsoring at the event! > Learn More

• Participate in the 2020 Compass Awards Program. Looking to benchmark your marketing and sales initiatives against others in the industry? Want to gain additional recognition for your strategic work? Enter the Compass Awards Program by Feb. 21. > Learn More

• Digital Transformation Conference. We’re planning to host our third annual conference focused on helping marketing professionals in transportation and logistics to gain optimum results through their digital strategy and initiatives. This will be happening in Q4. More details coming soon! > Learn More

• Continued Focus on Sales Training. TMSA is planning to bring more sales training to the industry through its Affiliate member network – more details forthcoming! > Learn More

• Other Educational and Peer Networking Opportunities. New this year, we are looking to pilot a Strategic Interest Group, develop and launch a Sales Certification program, and enhance a more robust online Resource Center in a modernized website.

Continue to watch for details on all of this as we roll out all of these initiatives. CHEERS to a successful new year for TMSA and its members!