In addition to the DHL-branded gifts each driver will receive, each site will also host its own celebration event or luncheon for its drivers. The week-long celebrations include prize raffles for drivers for everything from gift cards to big screen televisions.

　　“When our drivers are out on the road, we don’t get the chance to see them face-to-face or to tell them how much we appreciate them,” said Maria Rowland, General Manager, Atlanta Dedicated Fleets, DHL Supply Chain. “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate them and to make sure they know how much we value their contributions to the business.”

　　The talent gap remains a critical issue in the transportation sector, with stiff competition for attracting and retaining drivers. In 2018, the industry was short nearly 70,000 drivers, up 20 percent from 2017 (American Trucking Association, Truck Driver Shortage Analysis 2019), making the search for quality drivers paramount. Additional incentives can often make all the difference to drivers, who spend days at a time on the road away from their families. However, DHL Supply Chain’s transportation and talent acquisition teams recognize that gifts are only a small component of maintaining a strong and talented team of drivers.