Take A Trucker to Dinner

This September, the United States honors truckers with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 19-25). Canada has its own variation on the same theme with National Trucking Week (September 5-12).

The Canadian event pre-dates the one in the lower 48, and seems to be a more distinctive tribute to those who make their living in the trucking business. There are large newspaper stories promoting the event and special events across the country. Even the nation's Prime Minister wrote a letter expressing his appreciation.

In America, Truck Driver Appreciation Week gets no more attention in the media than National Toad Hollow Week, National Bubble Blowers Week and Root Canal Awareness Week. Somehow, that doesn't seem right.

How seriously do they take their trucker tributes in Canada? The event's official website offers no less than 43 suggestions for "how companies can show their appreciation to drivers and other employees."

Before reading our article on the two-nation celebration of the trucking industry, here are some of the ways in which they salute our brethren in the Great White North.

  1. Inviting employees to dinner at the home of an owner, manager or president.
  2. Putting all the drivers' signatures on the side of a truck with a special message of thanks from the company.
  3. Having a company truck rodeo to showcase driver skills.
  4. Taking out an ad in the local newspaper to thank drivers for a job well done.
  5. Holding a car wash for employees'/drivers' personal vehicles.
  6. Providing gift certificates for complimentary dinner for drivers on the road.
  7. Writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper outlining the important contribution the trucking industry makes to the economy and community life.
  8. Giving a driver the chance to represent the company at an industry event.
  9. Creating a "Hall of Fame" for outstanding employees and drivers.
  10. Arranging for flowers to be given to the spouses of drivers.