SMC³ Announces Strategic Alliance With Sales & Marketing Council
New Alliance Will Focus On Membership, Participation and Educational Seminars

Peachtree City, GA – April 10, 2000 – Continually expanding its presence in the transportation community, SMC³ today announced its new strategic alliance with the Sales & Marketing Council, formerly aligned with the American Trucking Association. Effective April 12, the Sales & Marketing Council will be housed within SMC³. With SMC³'s experience and leadership in the transportation services and technology industry and the Sales & Marketing Council's knowledge of business and training in the industry, it is a win-win situation for all parties involved.

"Over the last year, the American Trucking Association (ATA) has been involved with heavy organizational restructuring, which has created specific changes in their position in the industry. Among the recent changes were their disbandment and/or consolidations affecting six of their councils, including the popular national Sales & Marketing Council," stated Jack E. Middleton, president and CEO, SMC³. "Because this is a natural fit between SMC³ and the Sales & Marketing Council, a strategic alliance was formed, resulting in new and exciting opportunities for SMC³ and the Council."

To manage and oversee the duties of the Sales & Marketing Council, SMC³ hired John Rader as the executive director of the Sales & Marketing Council. Rader has been employed in both the carrier and shipper segments of the transportation industry and has a broad understanding of the motor carrier industry's direction and needs. His targeted responsibility and focus will be to increase membership and participation at the annual conferences as well as enhance the forum's educational content. Rader's strong knowledge of the industry and the needs of the council's members will allow SMC³ to take the Sales & Marketing Council to the next level.

This new partnership will provide a platform to network, develop and promote products and programs designed to improve sales performance as well as educate and heighten the general public's awareness of the positive aspects of the transportation industry. SMC³ will continue providing the trucking industry a forum for continued education, training, and peer interaction among transportation-related sales and marketing professionals.