Truck Topics
Summertime in Seville: They're having a party
Panther II Transportation is throwing another big party for its owner-operators and drivers as well as awarding some great prizes.
The company's Driver Appreciation Days are scheduled for Thursday, July 7 and Friday, July 8, 2005. The times are 10:00 AM to 3:00 EDT on both days.
The party's site is the Panther II corporate campus in rural Seville, OH and there's plenty of parking for all. The campus contains the new headquarters building which was readied for occupancy late last year, the Safety Building, and the Garage area that's used for Qualcomm and decal installations.
Jeff Brown, Manager of Panther II's Contractor Support and Development and one of the organizers of the get together, gives us the details of the event:
Sharp trucks
"We've got a lot going on over the two days, so it's hard to know where to start. First of all, we'll be having a "Pride and Polish" event this year, and it's sponsored by Alumi-Bunk Corporation, who will donate the prizes."
"There will be trophies and prizes awarded in all three truck sizes - Cargo Van, Straight Truck and Tractor. We'll have Best Interior, Best Exterior, Best of Class in those truck sizes. Trucks will also compete in classes like Best Custom Paint, Best Chrome, and of course, Best of Show. The judges will come from among our Safety supervisors."
"We're looking forward to a lot of driver participation in the "Pride and Polish competition. Panther II has a lot of owner-operators and drivers out there with great looking trucks and this is their chance to show 'em off."
Truck Roadeo
This is the second year for this popular event and it gives the drivers a chance to win prizes and, of course, win bragging rights for the year. The event will feature the three truck sizes with the three top finishers in each size walking away with fine prizes.
Fyda Freightliner of Columbus is sponsoring this event and will supply a van, straight truck and tractor in which the drivers will compete. Judging will be performed by members of the Safety department.
The judging will be performed by the Safety department and the course will be, according to Jeff Brown, "a tortuous, unbelievably difficult challenge to even the best drivers that expediting has to offer!"
Really?
"Actually," he says, "it will be composed of real-world situations, that is, straight line, backing, etc. It will be a pretty straightforward test of driving skills."
Brown says that there is an additional feature for this year's Roadeo: "If possible, we're going to have a straight truck with automatic transmission available and I will issue a challenge to any dispatcher who would like to try their hand at backing that truck through the obstacle course - the same course that the drivers are competing on. This competition is dispatcher against dispatcher - their own little Roadeo - and I'm interested to see how many compete."
Entertainment
Making his first appearance at the Driver Appreciation Days will be - Mr. Joey Holiday. You might have seen him at one of the trucking shows across the nation where he is always a crowd favorite. This trucking music singer/songwriter performs from his custom-built trailer/stage that also contains a museum honoring trucking music's stars of today and yesterday.
Joey will perform on both days of the event and will also act as MC for awards presentations.
And, for those drivers who are inspired by Joey's performances and want to croon a tune or two, Rockin' Richie will be there with his karoake system and large library of music.
"Service Pays" contest
For the last several years, Panther II has been conducting what it calls a "Service Pays" contest for its owner-operators and drivers. Some great prizes have been awarded in the past, namely, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and cash awards.
This "Service Pays" contest began in May and is based on criteria such as load acceptance, on-time performance, etc. The top 25 performers in each of the three truck classes will be eligible for the drawings at the close of the Driver Appreciation Days with a winner from each class being drawn.
There will be a bonus drawing as well. After the three initial winners have been drawn, all of the "runners-up" will have their names placed back in the bin and a fourth winner will be selected.
For 2005, the contest remains the same, but the prizes have changed a little. Jeff Brown says, "This time around, in order to involve more drivers and their families, we will give away a total of four, week-long vacation packages, each of them valued at $5,000,00 . These four-person packages from Towne Square Travel are for cruises to Hawaii, the Caribbean or Alaska ."
"We have enjoyed giving away the motorcycles and the winners certainly enjoyed getting them, but these vacation packages will allow more grand prize winners, and they can take the kids along as well."
Vendors
Brown says that the Driver Appreciation Days will also see the appearance of selected vendors who will be displaying in the Garage area.
"We appreciate that these fine companies support our event with prizes and equipment. The garage area is always a popular place for the drivers to visit and check out new products from the vendors.
A partial list of vendors includes:
*Alumi-Bunk Corporation
*Espar of Michigan
*Freightliner of Knoxville
*Fyda Freightliner of Columbus
*Leyman Liftgates
Food
Of course, there's plenty of free chow for the attendees and the big tent from last year's event will make a return to shelter the dining crowd from the sun or whatever else the weather man has in store on the days of the picnic.
"Everybody at Panther II looks forward to this event every year," says Jeff Brown, "because we not only have a chance to put faces with a voice on the phone, but also, it's a great way to show the drivers just how valuable we consider their contribution to the company to be."
"We're expecting a great turnout this year and I want to extend an invitation to all of our owner operators, drivers and families to attend!."