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F E AT U R E
community an understanding that
our members provided more than
on-demand, same-day deliver-
ies. The supply chain needed to
know that our members handled all
aspects of the logistics and delivery
process, supporting the supply chain
with last-mile, distribution, ware-
housing, and inventory manage-
ment in addition to their traditional
courier duties. We wanted a name
that reflected our role as critical con-
tributors to the global supply chain,
going well beyond their courier roots
to meet our customers’ changing
needs.” That’s how the Messenger
and Courier Association became the
Customized Logistics and Delivery
Association in 2013.
The association too has grown
from its humble beginnings of 40
members to membership of 3,500
logistics providers and indepen-
dent drivers. Today, the association
promotes advocates, educates and
provides networking and business
opportunities for those involved with
the time-critical customized deliv-
ery community. It offers business
opportunities, professional devel-
opment, trend spotting and advo-
cacy for all of those involved with
time-critical and last-mile deliveries.
Additionally, in 2016, the association
began offering a new Driver Member
category that allows ICs to join. This
allows them to improve their profes-
sionalism and grow their businesses.
That change also enabled the CLDA
to grow its voice on Capitol Hill and
expand its education and network-
ing benefits.
to expanding the association’s
ability to give voice to the issues
that impact its members and the
industry. An active and involved
Government Affairs Committee has
proposed laws at the national and
state levels, organized and staged
annual Lobby Days in Washington
and backed precedent-setting court
battles throughout the country. In
fact, the association’s voice is now
so strong on Capitol Hill, that its
2017 annual fall meeting will be
held in Washington DC in combi-
nation with its annual Lobby Day.
During Lobby Day CLDA members,
along with a CLDA lobbyist, meet
with their federal elected repre-
sentatives. “We typically schedule
well over 100 meetings each year.
Members always come away with
a number of valuable contacts and
information on where their rep-
resentatives stand on key issues
affecting our industry,” says CLDA
President John Benko.
The sup-
ply chain
needed
to know
that our members
handled all aspects
of the logistics and
delivery process,
supporting the sup-
ply chain with last-
mile, distribution,
warehousing, and
inventory manage-
ment in addition
to their traditional
courier duties.
The association’s impact on Capitol
Hill and in state houses across the
country has also developed over
the years. It now has an in-house
Director of Government Affairs,
an outside lobbying firm and an
outside PR firm. All are dedicated
Customized Logistics and Delivery Association | Summer 2017