Entries are now open for VTA’s 27th Australian Freight Industry Awards that acknowledge and reward the excellence of freight and logistics operators nationally.

The prestigious AFIA awards, hosted by the VTA and proudly sponsored by TWUSUPER and VIVA ENERGY, are among the most coveted accolades in the freight and logistics industry, recognising achievements that have helped shape the transport industry.

Award winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Crown Palladium Ballroom on Saturday, 3 September, featuring entertainment from some of Australia’s most popular acts.

The VTA is welcoming entries to the awards and registrations to attend the Gala Dinner from members and non-members, as the VTA pays tribute to freight and logistics organisations that have demonstrated excellence and helped improve the standards of the industry.

Six major awards will be presented and for the first time the FTA will recognise a nominee that has introduced a policy, program or technology innovation that improves sustainability through waste reduction or resource recovery through the creation of the Australian Transport and Logistics Waste award.

The categories include:

• ‘Investment in People’ (sponsored by Logical Staffing Solutions)
  
• ‘Best Practice Safety’ (sponsored by Zurich Financial Services Australia)
  
• ‘Application of Technology’, the Shaun Owen Memorial Award (sponsored by Transport Certification Australia)
  
• ‘Australian Transport and Logistics Waste’
  
• ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ (Sponsored by Viva Energy Australia)
  
• ‘Personality of the Year’ (Sponsored by Victorian Government, Department of Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources)
  

Being a new category, sponsorship opportunities exist for the Australian Transport and Logistics Waste award. Please contact the VTA for sponsorship enquiries.

VTA Chief Executive Officer Peter Anderson said the awards night and black-tie gala function is a showcase of the professionalism and initiatives of those within the transport industry and for them to be recognised in front of their peers and families.

"As the peak freight and transport industry association, the VTA is proud to acknowledge those who are contributing to our objective of engaging in improved safety practices, the utilisation of advanced technology and implementation of the many efficiencies that lead to increased productivity," Mr Anderson said.

"I encourage all companies and individuals within our industry to participate in the awards nomination process to give them a chance of having their significant input recognised during this glamorous night of tribute to our industry participants.

"The annual awards gala belongs to our transport and logistics people and is an event to be celebrated amongst industry peers, distinguished guests and in front of a packed ballroom of family and friends."

The presentation of awards will be followed by a spectacular stage show featuring some of Australia’s iconic entertainers.

Headlining the entertainment will be Daryl Braithwaite, one of Australia’s most successful pop stars who was the lead vocalist of Sherbet when the band formed in the 1970s. His subsequent solo career has been outstanding and he still has many fans rocking to his number one hit of the ‘90s, The Horses.

Braithwaite will be supported by outstanding performances from the Jersey Boys Tribute Band, who will have Crown at fever pitch with Oh, What A Night and more of the Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ chart-toppers, plus The Matt Hetherington Band and The Voice Australia 2015 contestant Sarah Valentine.

Nominations for the awards can be made by companies or individuals on their own behalf or by their industry peers.

Each nomination must be accompanied by a typed summary of no more than 1500 words outlining why the nomination has been put forward. Supporting material such as charts, publications, diagrams or photos may be submitted with the summary. Nominations will be accepted in hard copy, electronic format or in a USB.

The closing date for entries is Monday, 15 August, 2016.

This article was originally sourced from Big Rigs.