Nominations open for 2021 Shipper of Choice award

Exemplary shippers to be recognized for best practices

Each year FreightWaves honors a group of exemplary shippers with its Shipper of Choice award. The award seeks to single out companies working to make the process of moving goods easier, friendlier and more streamlined for all involved. 

Shippers – including manufacturers, distributors and retailers – are an essential piece of the logistical puzzle that keeps the economy moving. Working in concert with carriers and brokers, these companies help ensure shelves are stocked and important supplies are available to consumers across the country. Over the past year, their importance has been underscored by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The first step toward receiving the coveted Shipper of Choice recognition is to be nominated. Anyone involved in the industry can nominate a shipper for the award. There is no limit to the number of companies an individual can nominate, and companies can nominate themselves. 

Nominees must be shippers to qualify. A shipper will be defined as a company that ships goods or makes shipments of goods by land, sea or air. It’s that simple. 

Nominations are open now. Click here to nominate a company for the 2021 Shipper of Choice award.

What is a shipper of choice?

Shippers of choice work fairly and gracefully with their carrier partners to get products to their final destinations unharmed and on time. The specific practices that define a shipper of choice shift from one year to the next, reflecting industry shifts and new innovations. 

One thing stays the same year after year: Shippers of choice exude a spirit of collaboration. These companies are constantly fighting against driver detention, providing accessible facilities and working to eliminate supply chain inefficiencies. 

Some of the specific things transportation providers value most in their shipping partners right now include flexible appointment scheduling, clean facilities, reasonable OSD rates and COVID-consious practices. 

The judging process

Anyone in the industry can nominate shippers for the award. All nominated shippers will be taken into consideration when naming winners. 

The FreightWaves Passport Research team – a group of industry-leading experts – will select the top 100 winners from the list of nominated companies. From there, a team of independent judges will determine the top 25 Shippers of Choice. This panel of judges includes analysts, transportation executives and other industry experts.

Important dates

Jan. 28: Nominations for Shipper of Choice open 

April 2: Nominations for Shipper of Choice close

May 20: Winners announced at FreightWaves LIVE @ Home  

Click here to nominate a company for the 2021 Shipper of Choice award.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Ashley Coker Prince

Ashley is interested in everything that moves, especially trucks and planes. She works with clients to develop sponsored content that tells a story. She worked as reporter and editor at FreightWaves before taking on her current role as Senior Content Marketing Writer. Ashley spends her free time at the dog park with her beagle, Ruth, or scouring the internet for last minute flight deals.