International Foodservice Distributors Association issued the following announcement on Sept. 3
After a thorough and thoughtful discussion with the IFDA Truck Driving Championship Planning Council, we have made the difficult decision to not move forward with the 2021 IFDA Truck Driving Championship scheduled for October 13-15 in Orlando, Florida.
We were looking forward to the competition and seeing our champions in person, but circumstances have changed over the past few weeks with the Delta variant creating a renewed spike in illnesses.
The Planning Council, in consultation with IFDA staff, felt strongly that given the current stress on the industry’s transportation professionals, an event that couldn’t safely bring the industry’s most important asset together - our people - was no longer prudent.
We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to our registered drivers, judges, and sponsors for their continued support and understanding.
For questions, please contact Grace Hong at ghong@ifdaonline.org.
At IFDA, we know that safety is a top priority for our member companies. Foodservice distribution drivers are the front line in this effort ensuring that food and supplies are delivered safely to over one million professional kitchens daily. This competition tests drivers on many levels, including skill behind the wheel, the ability to spot safety hazards, and their knowledge of safety rules and regulations. The individual winners are celebrated at an awards banquet and a team award recognizes the company with the best combined performance in the competition. The event gives drivers the platform to showcase their safety skills and compete among friends and family.
Professional truck drivers across the country stepped up in 2020 and 2021 to ensure foodservice operators and other food customers had the products they needed to run their businesses, even in the face of federal and state shutdowns and other hardships. 2022 is our year to recognize, and reward, the food distribution industry’s very best professional drivers by participating in the IFDA Truck Driving Championship, being held October 13-15, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
A Good Time for All!
This is an exciting time for drivers and their families, as well as for company management. This is also a “kid friendly” event! Children of all ages are welcome to attend the competition and the gala awards dinner.
You Can Also Support Safety As A Judge: The IFDA Truck Driving Championship uses two field courses to speed up the competition. If you are in management, we could use your help as a judge. As a judge, you help score truck drivers during the competition. This is a great way to be involved in the event, meet other transportation professionals, and support your drivers. Judge attendance is complimentary. Please note, you do not need to have a driver in the competition in order to be a judge.
Agenda At A Glance
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Driver Welcome and Written Exam
Thursday includes driver and guest check-in, driver orientation, and the driver written exam.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Pre-Trip Inspection & Field Course Competition
Friday events include drivers performing a pre-trip vehicle inspection to find ten planted defects and driving a field course that includes six problems that mimic everyday challenges.
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Sightseeing & Gala Championship Awards
Drivers, their families, and other attendees get the day to enjoy the sights. On Saturday evening, a reception, banquet, and awards ceremony concludes the Championship.
What prizes are awarded to drivers?
All competing drivers will receive a competition shirt and hat, a duffel bag, and a certificate of participation. Prizes for the winners in each category of the competition are as follows:
1st Place: $2500, Championship Medal, Champion’s Jacket (letterman style with logo on back and driver’s name on front), and a large Champion’s Magnet to display on their company vehicle.
2nd Place: $1500 & Championship Medal.
3rd Place: $1000 & Championship Medal.
Rookie of the Year Award: $500 and a Customized Louisville Slugger.
Team Award: Championship Team Trophy.
Registration
Registration for the 2022 Truck Driving Championship is not open at this time.
There are a variety of registration options for the IFDA Truck Driving Championship including drivers, management, family members, guests, and judges (also note that pricing differs between member and non-member companies). When registration opens, please use our online registration portal and follow the instructions for each type of registrant.
Hotel & Destination
Participants and attendees will be staying at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, FL. Ranked #1 on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Reader’s Choice Awards for Orlando Resorts, the resort sits on 1,500 lush acres with a private lake, tennis courts, and a unique lagoon-style pool.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up