DALLAS — There’s a whole lot of red at the Women In Trucking Association’s (WIT) Accelerate! Conference & Expo as attendees celebrate “Rock the Red” Monday on Oct. 26. But behind the organization’s signature color is a mission that reaches far beyond the conference.
That mission — championing the employment and advancement of women in trucking, fostering connections and recognizing achievements — took center stage Monday, Oct. 26, as industry professionals gathered for the opening general session.
With approximately 8,000 members representing a broad cross-section of the trucking industry, WIT brings together everyone from professional drivers and technicians to dispatchers, recruiters, executives and business owners.
And while their day-to-day responsibilities may differ, they share a common goal: Building a stronger future for trucking.
Coming together, moving forward
Jennifer Plumlee, vice president of managed logistics at J.B. Hunt Transport Services and chair of WIT’s board of directors, welcomed attendees and emphasized the opportunities for professional growth and networking.
Unlike conferences where business meetings compete with educational programming, Plumlee said Accelerate is designed specifically to invest in its attendees.
She also highlighted the relationships that develop when companies — including those that may ordinarily compete for business — work together to support women throughout the industry.
That collaboration, she noted, can help women navigate career paths that lead from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
Plumlee also addressed a recent leadership change at WIT, introducing Lana Nichols, who is serving in as the association’s interim president and CEO.
More than words
Nichols reinforced WIT’s mission, emphasizing that its three commitments guide the association’s programs, partnerships and outreach efforts throughout the year.
Among those initiatives is WIT’s Image Team, a group of professional drivers who serve as industry ambassadors, sharing their experiences through public appearances, media interviews, social media and ride-alongs with legislators and industry leaders.
Originally established in 2015, the team has expanded to include new classes of ambassadors in 2024 and 2026.
Nichols recognized members of all three groups during Monday’s session, thanking them for helping challenge perceptions about trucking and encouraging others to consider careers in the industry.
Investing in the next generation
The opening session also highlighted the work of the Women In Trucking Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to women pursuing careers in professional driving, technical fields, safety and leadership.
Jessica Dotson, representing the foundation, reported that since the organization began awarding scholarships in 2011, it has provided more than $425,000 in educational assistance through more than 422 scholarships.
Dotson emphasized that the foundation’s work is about more than financial assistance. It’s about opening doors for women who might otherwise struggle to pursue their career goals.
- Accelerating opportunity
With more than 50 educational sessions and over 130 subject matter experts, Accelerate 2026 offers attendees opportunities to develop skills, explore industry challenges and establish professional connections.
But as Nichols reminded the audience, some of the most valuable opportunities may happen outside the scheduled sessions.
Her advice? Introduce yourself to someone new, make connections across different career paths and remain open to unexpected opportunities.
After all, the next conversation could lead to a new mentor, a fresh perspective — or the next step in a trucking career.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
