The TDUSA team recently attended the annual Recruitment & Retention Conference in Nashville, where industry leaders gathered to discuss innovative strategies for driver hiring and retention. TDUSA President Lori Furnell shared her insights on the event, highlighting emerging trends, key challenges, and actionable solutions that companies can implement in 2025.
A Standout Industry Event
Lori emphasized that the Recruitment & Retention Conference continues to be one of the most impactful events in the industry. “The R&R conference never disappoints. It is by far the most relevant, informative recruiting event in the industry. I have never walked away without a list of actionable items I want to implement in my own organization.”
This year’s conference was no exception. The discussions challenged her to think differently about recruitment strategies and introduced new solutions that can drive long-term success.
Key Trends in Driver Recruitment and Retention
Two major themes dominated conversations throughout the conference: driver retention and preparing for a potential surge in demand. “How are we going to retain the drivers we have, and how are you preparing for a ramp-up in business? Each topic warrants a very strategic approach, and the companies that have a plan in place will move ahead at a much faster pace.”
Lori noted that companies leveraging AI and automation while maintaining a personal touch will experience significantly better retention and recruitment outcomes. “Our industry has never had such a vast array of tools to help us work smarter than we do now. The companies that leverage AI and automation that allows them to truly add the personal touch will see exponentially greater retention while building a strong culture, making it easier to recruit.”
A Renewed Focus on Independent Contractors and New Drivers
An unexpected takeaway from the conference was the industry’s renewed focus on independent contractors. “This usually takes place right before a strong demand for drivers. There was also a lot of discussion around attracting and developing new CDL holders. I think we will see company training programs begin to grow this year.”
As hiring processes evolve, companies are adjusting their strategies to be more efficient. “Many recruiting departments have become very lean. They’ve brought marketing in-house, reduced staff, and adjusted systems. This means they will need solutions that are agile and scalable. My team had several discussions with leaders seeking our BPO support and wanting to leverage our technology to meet their changing demands.”
The Changing Role of Recruiting Leaders
Lori observed a shift in how recruiting leaders approach hiring, with many adopting a more HR-driven mindset. “We are seeing a new type of recruiting leader. They are much more HR-minded and are willing to actively seek out the best candidates. This approach, though good, can lengthen the hiring cycle and bog down the process.”
TDUSA is already working on solutions to help streamline the hiring process without compromising the quality of hires. “The TDUSA approach has been to prequalify candidates so that we can help reduce the lead-to-hire time. I left challenged to implement new solutions that will assist in a stronger hire while progressing the hiring process. You can expect to see TDUSA launch new solutions in 2025 that will meet this need.”
Standout Sessions and Insights
Lori had the opportunity to present on building social communities and gained valuable insights from fellow attendees. “From the attendees, I learned additional ways to leverage my audience and staff to develop content in fun ways.”
She also praised the impact of the keynote speakers and industry experts. “The keynote speakers are always great at R&R. I left very motivated. I’m always convicted with the above-the-line/below-the-line conversation. A progressive company is always moving towards new ways of thinking and does not become weighted down by negative views that deter their focus.”
Economic insights also played a crucial role in shaping industry perspectives. “Bob Costello’s economic outlook is always helpful in influencing business decisions. He does a great job at making complex information understandable.”
Looking Ahead
The Recruitment & Retention Conference provided invaluable takeaways for TDUSA and the industry at large. With a focus on retention, recruitment innovation, and adapting to shifting market demands, the companies that take action now will be better positioned for success in the year ahead.
Lori’s final takeaway? “If you didn’t walk out of that conference with a strategy or a list of people/companies that could help you with strategy, you missed out.” TDUSA is already gearing up to implement new solutions in 2025 to stay ahead of these challenges.
