All North American Truck Stop Network members join NATSO

The Trucker News Services

1/3/2008

NATSO, the trade association representing truck stops and travel plazas, and the North American Truck Stop Network (NATSN) have joined together to provide NATSO membership to all NATSN members at a reduced rate. NATSN is nationwide network of independently owned truck stops and currently has 95 independent truck stop members.

“We saw this as great opportunity to strengthen the voice of independent truck stop operators and NATSO on Capitol Hill and in the marketplace. Through NATSO’s work, we can promote the industry and protect the interests of truck stop operators nationwide,” NATSN Chief Executive Officer Marsha Bird said.

NATSO’s top issues for 2008 will revolve around credit card fees, tolling, highway funding and rest area commercialization. NATSO CEO Lisa Mullings said, “We are excited to add to our membership base and to work on behalf of all NATSN members. To achieve great things, there must be a common vision and a unifying purpose. When we are unified, we speak with a louder voice and we are empowered.”

NATSN and NATSO member Sean Flynn of Flynn’s Truck Plaza in Shrewsbury, Mass., said, “All operators throughout the country, whether competitors or not, can come together to find a common voice in NATSO.”

All NATSN members officially obtained NATSO membership on Jan. 1.