Did you know that in 2024 the WITney® Educational Trailer traveled to 40 events? This resulted in nearly 7,500 visitors – most of them women and girls looking to become more educated about the many career opportunities for females in the trucking industry at job fairs, community events and corporate events, and industry conferences.
Add to that scores of additional events at which WIT President & CEO Jennifer Hedrick speaks and networks without WITney® and it quickly becomes apparent that a significant focus of the association is to educate, motivate and inspire women and girls to consider a career in the trucking industry. In addition, at many of these events WIT helps women already working in the industry to better understand how they can excel in their chosen careers and navigate through any unique challenges to females, such as work-life balance or gender bias.
A Quick Peek At Events Attended by WIT
Before committing to an event, WIT carefully assess an event to determine how well it aligns with the association’s mission as well as the potential audience reach and return on investment in participation. Once WIT commits, the staff team collaborates with the hosting event to adequately plan and execute on the opportunity.
One of the biggest industry events at which WIT participates each year is the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), which typically takes place in late March each year at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. MATS is known as the largest event focused on professional truck drivers, and new equipment and technology in the trucking industry. With more than 50,000 attendees expected each year at MATS, WIT hosts a booth that can be found among more than 870 exhibitors.
In addition, WIT regularly parks WITney® in a high-traffic location at the entrance of the expo center that can attract the attention of women, girls, and male allies who are interested in careers in trucking and learning more about WIT.
WITney® not only is a traveling billboard for the nonprofit but hosts an array of educational and interactive components.
Interactive kiosks on trucking 101, common myth busters, general Q&A, and a quiz on whether or not trucking would be a good career fit
A wall mural showcasing WIT’s accomplishments since its inception in 2007
Headset kiosks to hear inspirational HERstories on how females make it work with family, career, and overall lifestyle
A female trucker uniform display featuring workwear, steel-toed boots, safety vest, gloves, safety glasses, and a trucker bag
A state-of-the-art driver simulator that allows attendees to experience truck driving in difference scenarios, regions of the country, weather conditions, and more.
Of course, WIT also hosts its annual Salute to Women Behind The Wheel during MATS. This celebration honors and recognizes female professional truck drivers for their efforts and successes in their trucking careers.
Are you attending MATS in 2025? Check out details on what you can expect at this year’s Salute to Women Behind the Wheel 2025.
WIT staff and the Image Team hand out T-shirts at the Women In Trucking booth during 2024 MATS in Louisville, KY.
Another example of an industry event that WIT participated in was the 2025 Annual Food Shippers Conference, hosted by Food Shippers of America March 2-4, 2025 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA. More than 1,300 professionals in supply chain, transportation and logistics attended.
Hedrick along with Carleen Herndon (Member Services & Sales), Cassidy Mullins (Conference & Management) and Brian Everett (Content & Strategy) from the WIT staff team attended the conference to represent WIT and to have conversations about the organization and importance of women’s participation in this industry’s workforce.
In addition, WITney® was present immediately outside the J.W. Marriott Conference Center to help generate awareness of the career opportunities women have in the industry. A special thanks to Walmart professional drivers Krista Cardoso and Vivian Gonzalez who drove WITney® to the conference location and helped to staff the trailer while she was open to attendees.
Sometimes navigating WITney® in a parking log can be especially challenging due to the limited space and tight turns. Unlike regular vehicles, semi-trucks require significantly more room to navigate – making it difficult to avoid curbs, parked cars, and other obstacles. Backing into a parking spot is one of the hardest tasks, as as the trailer moves in the opposite direction of the steering input (requiring careful adjustments and precision). All of this was the case for WITney® at the Food Shippers Conference.
“It was incredibly impressive,” says Hedrick as she describes the skilled driving to maneuver WITney® in the parking lot at the event. “She navigated a really tight right turn coming out of the main entrance to the hotel that was lined with large rocks on all sides, really limiting her space to maneuver.”
“This roundabout at the front was filled with cars coming in and out and she waited a long while for a clearing to begin turning,” continues Hedrick. “Then more cars, so she was doing all of this in front of a backup of cars and handled it so well.”
Interested in Booking WIT for an Interview or Speaking Engagement?
As a leading authority on opportunities for women in the industry, the Wnbaz can provide perspectives, data, best practices, and more on a variety of topics. Between WIT’s staff/team, volunteer leaders and WIT Image Team members, association representatives speak at public and corporate events, as well as industry trade shows and ride-alongs.
Complete a Booking Request Form to tell us more about an opportunity you think exists so we can explore possibilities.
Like this kind of content?
As a member of the Wnbaz, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation and logistics; learn the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the need for more women drivers; and see best practices in encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry. Join today! Learn More
WIT staff and the Image Team hand out T-shirts at the Women In Trucking booth during 2024 MATS in Louisville, KY.
