Freight brokers and other transportation intermediaries, commonly known as third-party logistics companies (3PLs), play a key role in domestic and international commerce. You may not be aware that there’s an organization specifically dedicated to advancing your interests by marshaling that collective power: the Transportation Intermediaries Association.
The premier organization for 3PL professionals doing business in North America, the TIA serves as the voice of this $157 billion-plus industry, representing 1,400 member companies. Small, family-owned businesses comprise 70 percent of TIA members, who serve tens of thousands of shippers every day and adhere to a strict code of professional conduct. Globally, TIA serves as the U.S. member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarder Associations (FIATA).
The TIA provides resources, education, information, advocacy and connections to establish, maintain and expand ethical, profitable and growing businesses in service to their customers.
What’s in it for you as a member?
Benefit from the TIA’s activities, resources, education, advocacy and connections on your behalf:
- Lobbying to protect your business from harmful regulation and a strong voice for this important industry within Congress, the Administration, states, courts, shippers, carriers, and international organizations
- Education, research and networking aimed at improving your current operations, enabling you to expand into new disciplines, and equipping your business with a competitive advantage
- Member-only benefits, discounts, services and products to enhance your business while delivering a strong return on your investment
- Upholding the highest ethical standards within the professional 3PL industry
- Promoting preference for TIA members by shippers and carriers
Advancing and protecting your business
As a member, you save on registration for TIA programs and events, such as the annual Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition and the Intermodal EXPO, offering networking, dialogue and education. You’ll also boost your visibility with a listing in the TIA Online logistics services directory and Buyers’ Guide.
Protect yourself and your business with access to the TIA Watchdog reporting system, which allows TIA members to alert each other to fraudulent operators within the industry. Use it to avoid the headaches of unauthorized re-brokering of shipments, no-shows and no-calls, cancellations after loads are accepted, theft or unjustified losses of freight, and other reportable issues.
Broker-focused education and career development
Take advantage of TIA’s practical, targeted, hands-on educational programs to carve out a competitive edge, keep abreast of technology changes and stay up-to-date on regulatory matters impacting the industry. Its training resources and industry research are also designed to help you excel in running your independent business:
- Training opportunities span a wide spectrum of courses tailored to your needs. These include courses for new brokers, Marketing Transportation Brokerage Services, Introduction to Intermodal Transportation, Ethics in Transportation Brokerage and Temperature Control Transport, among others.
- Career development opportunities for members include the industry’s only professional certification program for individual transportation brokers. The Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) Program incorporates home study and exam components, enabling you to pursue certification on your own timetable.
- Actionable research materials equip you with tools and metrics to support your career in the third-party logistics arena. TIA products include the comprehensive 3PL Market Report on trends and practices, the Compensation Report, offering salary guidance, and the New-Broker Kit, chock-full of tools to get freight brokerage careers off to a great start.
- Additional educational resources include free monthly webinars addressing such critical topics as cash management, regulatory changes and insurance; informational videos; and subscriptions to the TIA Logistics Weekly and the monthly Logistics Journal, publications not available to nonmembers.
Advocating for your interests
TIA Advocacy efforts promote the interests of freight brokers on important issues and legislation through research, developing and communicating policy, and educating and lobbying lawmakers. Key TIA advocacy issues focus on broker regulation, cargo security initiatives that strengthen our nation’s global supply chain and national security, and fighting industry fraud. Other issues of concern include government compliance, safety and accountability programs; national standards for hiring motor carriers; insurance requirements; hazardous materials transportation; and TIA’s veterans’ initiative.
If your principal business is arranging transportation of freight as a third party, joining the TIA is an invaluable way to work smarter, access best practices and extend your network.