It is hard to imagine today, but in that earlier era, trucking was a new, paradigm-shifting technology. It promised more personalized, market-oriented freight movement enabled by nimble, responsive companies — a sharp contrast to the long-dominant railroads. Independent though they were, early trucking entrepreneurs soon discovered that innovation brought political backlash. For this young industry to survive and protect the investments being made, trucking leaders needed a unified voice. Their competitors had established access to regulatory halls of power, and trucking did not. Out of this necessity, the Georgia Trucking Association was created.

Nearly 90 years later, the industry has grown from market disruptor to market leader, moving the vast majority of America’s freight. GTA has evolved from a one-person operation walking the halls of Georgia’s Capitol to a service-driven organization engaged in state and federal government affairs, promoting safety, providing education programs, and supporting a wide range of member needs.

In recent years, the Association has helped secure major victories for its members — defeating burdensome regulations, advancing tax improvements, and streamlining government-industry interaction. Thanks in part to GTA’s work, Georgia remains one of the best states in the nation to base and operate a trucking company, and the Association continues working to strengthen that position.

GTA also maintains an active calendar that helps members network, develop skills, and collaborate across the industry. A typical year includes major events, statewide meetings, and educational programs designed to support members at every stage of their operations.

GTA members contribute significantly to their communities as well. Throughout the year, they volunteer their time, visit schools and civic groups, and support charitable initiatives across Georgia. With its members’ active involvement, GTA regularly supports organizations such as CURE Childhood Cancer, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

At its core, GTA remains focused on representing the trucking industry in the halls of government. The Association has advanced critical legislation, protected the rights of owner-operators, and worked to improve highway safety in high-risk corridors. GTA also maintains strong relationships with Georgia’s congressional delegation and the American Trucking Associations to ensure the industry’s perspectives are heard at both the state and federal levels.

Much of what GTA does today could not have been imagined by the entrepreneurs who founded it, yet its purpose remains the same. Today, as in 1933, the Georgia Trucking Association exists to serve, support, and strengthen its members — and it continues to do so with exceptional commitment.