Page 74-75 - CIO_FEB_MAR_2014

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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014
F
OUNDED IN 19 1 3 ,
the Toronto
Transportation Club (TTC) is
one of the oldest Transportation clubs
in Canada, and CIO had the opportu-
nity to speak with John Foss, President
of the Club, about its success.
The TTC was founded to provide
members the opportunity to interact
professionally and socially with other
transportation industry insiders, pro-
fessionals and leaders. Membership
at the TTC delivers a level of insider
support, education and resources that
cannot be matched anywhere else.”
We are a non-profit organization
with a wide cross-section of industry
members, contributors and volunteers.
The roster includes both individuals
and corporations representing suppli-
ers and purchasers from every major
industry sector,” the Club outlines.
The TTC represents the entire
transport industry including: Truck-
ing, Railway, Steamship, Airline, Third
Party Logistics, Freight Forwarders,
Customs Brokers, Couriers, and other
industry and related businesses.
What is the true mandate of the
TTC?
The TTC and the provincial as-
sociations we work alongside are how
we give back to the industry. We have
three big events a year that offer the
opportunity to network to our mem-
bers: a poker night, a newly popular
women’s lunch and learn, and a char-
ity golf event.
How has the TTC changed to
reflect the industry?
100
years ago we had 50 mem-
bers, and the TTC (and industry) was
an old boys club. Women weren’t al-
lowed to be a member of the TTC until
1983.
The club has been rejigged to be
just a networking and social associa-
tion—not an educational one. We are
now the premier networking associa-
tion for transport.
What are the biggest challenges
right now in the transport industry
that are shared among TTC members?
There have been lots of changes
in the industry including new chal-
lenges. One of the things that we’re
faced with is having trouble getting
talent into this industry, so we have to
address that on an ongoing basis. A lot
of what we do is trying to attract new
talent.
What do you want people to
know about the transport industry
and its appeal?
It’s a very interesting and very
friendly industry. Our strategic mis-
sion going forward is to try to build on
what we’ve already done, and attract
more people to transport.
What are your goals for this new
era of the TTC?
We want to maintain our scholar-
ships and investments into the indus-
try and ultimately grow the member-
ship. We want to keep going on the
coattails of last year.
For the future, people need to
know that the transport industry is an
option. The TTC will continue to be a
support mechanism to members and
non-members.
TTC MISSION STATEMENT:
The TTC’s mission is to provide all of our
members with a network of support and
encouragement for the benefit of the trans-
portation community through opportuni-
ties for social interaction, education and
resource sharing.
TORONTO TRANSPORTATION CLUB