Truckers Brake to Focus on their Families

Focus on the Family
Wednesday, 21 August 2002

Christian Psychologist to Provide Parenting and Relationship Advice at Great American Trucking Show

The trucking industry requires its employees to spend days and weeks on the road, making it difficult to maintain strong family connections. Focus on the Family is in the business of helping and healing families. And that's where these two very different organizations find something in common.

The Great American Trucking Show (GATS) will hold its fourth annual industry tradeshow in Dallas from Sept. 6-8. In addition to the standard business seminars and equipment exhibitors, the show will offer something new this year – a panel discussion led by Focus on the Family on what it takes to raise a family while on the road.

"We continually hear from drivers that one of the biggest job challenges they face is communicating with their spouse and raising their children while on the road," said Mike Reilly, CEO of Randall Publishing, owner and manager of GATS. "The purpose of the Great American Trucking Show is to make our drivers as well-rounded, informed, and satisfied as possible, and we believe that offering solid family advice is an essential part of that."

Focus on the Family psychologist Dr. Bill Maier will lead the panel discussion, "Strengthening Your Family for the Long Haul," on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1-3 p.m. The discussion will continue on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 8:30-10 a.m. and will include a performance by former trucker Kenny Robbins, 2000 Country Gospel Artist of the Year and last year's inductee into the Country Gospel Hall of Fame.

"We're encouraged that this issue is receiving attention at one of the nation's top trucking shows," said Dr. Maier. "Families in general are hungry for advice on improving communication and strengthening ties, but especially those that face unique challenges such as drivers."

In addition to covering all aspects of long-distance parenting and relationships, the panelists will also discuss how addressing truckers' emotional and family needs can help trucking companies attract and retain drivers and owner-operators.

For more information, or to contact Focus on the Family, see their website at: www.family.org