Anyone who’s been out on the road or dealt with dispatch long enough knows there’s plenty of tension between truck drivers and freight brokers. Arguments over rates, hidden fees, and transparency aren’t exactly rare. And most of the time, nobody’s actually talking to each other; they’re just frustrated.
But one broker decided to do something about it.
Dan Lindsey, a longtime freight broker, was tired of the constant back-and-forth and the bad blood between carriers and brokers. So, in March 2023, he launched the first Broker-Carrier Summit, a face-to-face event built around actual conversation instead of complaining.
“It started as an event born out of frustration,” Lindsey said during a recent interview on Trucking with OOIDA. “Everybody who has been in trucking and logistics knows that freight brokers and trucking companies … they don’t have the greatest relationship, and there are a lot of reasons for that … I was getting to the point in my career where I was just tired of hearing everybody snipe at each other … So, we decided to have a time where brokers and carriers got together and basically hashed out their differences and got to know each other in an actionable, personal way.”
Summit Heads to Orlando in Late October
The next Broker-Carrier Summit is set for October 28-30 in Orlando, Florida, and drivers are strongly represented — Lindsey says around 40% of attendees are from motor carriers.
His goal is for drivers and fleet owners to walk away with real tools and takeaways they can use immediately.
“We want drivers and carriers to walk away from the (summit) with things and strategies they can implement in their company day one to make them more profitable and more efficient,” Lindsey said.
The three-day event includes sessions on:
- Broker-carrier agreements
- Fraud prevention
- Cross-border freight
- Technology in logistics
OOIDA Steps In to Speak for Drivers
One of the most anticipated sessions happens on opening day. At 9:20 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Oct. 28, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh will lead a session titled:
“Building Trust with Owner-Operators – A Candid Conversation with OOIDA.”
The talk will dig into the long-standing frustrations drivers have with brokers, and what brokers need to do differently if they want to improve relationships with independent carriers.
“I look forward to educating brokers on the ongoing challenges faced by small-business truckers, hopefully providing insights that lead to establishing trust and positive outcomes,” Pugh said.
Want In?
Drivers, carriers, and small fleets can still sign up for the Broker-Carrier Summit. Those who want to attend can register through the official event link.
Source: Land Line Media
