The National Small Shipments Traffic Conference is thinking big—or at least bigger. The 53-year-old trade association, founded as an advocacy group for parcel, small package and LTL shippers, has expanded its scope to cover all modes of transportation, including truckload and container shipping.

The decision to broaden NASSTRAC's focus reflects its members' changing responsibilities, says executive director Brian Everett. "Many of our members are now decision-makers in all modes of transportation and logistics. The association continues to simply react to shifts in the marketplace."

The group's roots date back to July 1, 1952, when more than 100 shippers gathered to come up with a plan to fight a surcharge of $1.50 on each LTL shipment. That meeting led to the creation of a national association that would represent shippers' interests in court, lobby for legislative change and organize educational events—the organization we know today as NASSTRAC.

Though it will broaden its focus, the group will not abandon its traditional constituency."[W]e will continue to provide support, services and education in our historic core areas of LTL, small package and parcel," says Everett. "This isn't a new beginning for NASSTRAC, but rather an enhancement to the association," adds Shawn O'Sullivan, manager of transportation services for Pfizer Inc. and NASSTRAC's first vice president. "Frankly, I'm looking forward to where this will lead me and my company."