Traffic Club Celebrates 99

     "To promote the development of transportation and logistics professionals through education, information resourcing, corporate networking and social interaction."
     On May 18, in Chicago, Illinois USA one of the world’s oldest and most important transportation organizations The Traffic Club of Chicago (TCC) hosted its 99th Annual Dinner at The Chicago Marriott Downtown
     “Over 1,000 members and guests attend this event, including a head table of sixty senior executives, representing a broad cross section of today's transportation and logistics industry,” says Bill Fors, TCC Executive Secretary.
     “Our most important event of the year, this gala affair is the TCC primary fund raiser for the scholarship program that awards scholarships to member and area students for both college education and also for the study of transportation logistics.”
     Honorable W. Douglas Buttrey, (right) Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C. is featured keynote speaker.
     Founded in 1907, when railroads were the big business of the day and ruled the entire USA transportation process, The Traffic Club of Chicago began as a club where manufacturers (shippers) and railroad management could learn to work together and come to know each other better.
     On March 28, 1907, Frank T. Bentley, traffic manager for the Illinois Steel Company, called the first volunteer meeting of industry representatives at an informal dinner at the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago and the Traffic Club of Chicago was born.
     A long list of celebrities and influential people have graced the quarters of the Traffic Club of Chicago throughout its history.
     Included in this distinguished category are United States Presidents Taft, Coolidge, Hoover, Eisenhower and Reagan.
     Other notable individuals include Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, America's first air ace of World War I and founder of Eastern Airlines, Amelia Earhart and Will Rogers, Jr.
     Today, the Traffic Club of Chicago, headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois continues to grow, retaining its original goal while broadening its scope to include not only transportation executives from the rails and road but also from the airlines and air cargo industry.
     Bill Fors is down to earth and quite personable as he goes about his task of both building TCC and coordinating its activities.
     An ex-radio announcer and local personality, he modulates both his tone and manner in what is acknowledged as a tough job.
     “We are involved in several initiatives that include air cargo.
     “Earlier this year (April 9) TCC joined area organizations including the Air Cargo Association, Customs Brokers & Foreign Freight Forwarders Association of Chicago, and others, who sponsored      “Transportation Night” which brought a big crowd to Rosemont near ORD for an excellent evening of networking.
     “We also offer a wide variety of year long entertainment opportunities for our members and their guests, from sporting events to top-billed dinner theatre parties.
     “Our idea at TCC is to be an active venue of professional and networking opportunities by leveraging the enormous variety of the great City of Chicago.”
     Although The Club no longer has its own quarters, members enjoy many benefits, including access to private dining and country clubs around the Chicago area, as well as across the country and overseas.
     An annual schedule of programs and events provide our members the opportunity to network with other industry professionals, while our scholarship program continues to support the organization's philosophy of direction and guidance.
     “Come September 21,attention will be drawn to air cargo as Dave Brooks President of American Airlines Cargo headlines the TCC Executive Series Luncheon at Rosemont Restaurant.
     Tickets including luncheon are just $40
     “This is a big week for the TCC.
     “Our Annual Dinner Golf Outing that is held today Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois sets the table for tomorrow and is an additional fund-raiser for our Scholarship Program.
     “With an average attendance of over 300 golfers, all courses at Cog Hill are reserved by TCC for this event.
     “Sponsors of the TCC Scholarship Program at the "Doctoral Level" have the added benefit of playing "Dub’s Dread" venue for the Cialis Open.”
     Membership is available to anyone involved directly or indirectly in freight transportation and logistics.
     Resident membership ($250) is for people whose company address is located within a seventy-five mile radius of downtown Chicago.
     Non-resident membership ($60) includes individuals whose company address is located outside a seventy-five mile radius of downtown Chicago.
www.traffic-club.org.