We are pleased to present the IFDA National Championship! Taking place October 12-14, the National Championship is a merger of two of foodservice distribution’s core areas – warehousing and transportation.

Why the new name? We are piloting a new warehouse competition to take place concurrently with our annual truck driving competition in Orlando. The warehouse competition will provide an opportunity for the industry’s most elite pallet jack and reach truck operators to showcase their safety skills and excellence.*

The National Championship will retain all your favorite components of the event while adding more fun, more attendees, and more opportunity to celebrate the best of the best in foodservice distribution. This is THE premiere event for top-tier foodservice distribution workers nationwide to compete against their peers.

*Since the 2023 competition is our pilot year, registration is limited and invitation only.

Interested in sponsoring the industry's biggest competition? please contact Matthew Sherring, (703) 962-9936 or msherring@IFDAonline.org.

2023 Agenda At-a-Glance

Thursday, October 12, 2023

8:00 am – 6:00 pm Registration

9:00 am – 11:30 am Transportation Learning Exchange

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Transportation & Warehousing Competitors Orientation

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Judges Orientation (Transportation)

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Judges Orientation (Warehousing)

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Written Exam (Transportation & Warehousing)

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Family Orientation

Friday, October 13, 2023

5:30 am – 5:45 am Drivers and Judges Bus Loading (Departing for OHP at 5:45 am)

6:00 am – 7:00 am Guest Breakfast (Hotel)

6:30 am – 7:15 am    Competitor & Judges Breakfast (OHP)

7:00 am – 7:15 am    Guest Bus Loading (Departing for OHP at 7:15 am)

7:15 am – 8:15 am     Course Walkthrough (Transportation & Warehousing)

8:30 am – 8:45 am Opening Ceremony

8:45 am – Completion Competitions & Family Activities (estimated end time, 2:00 pm)

11:00 am – 12:30 pm Lunch Served

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Departures (back to the hotel)

Saturday, October 14, 2023

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Reception

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Banquet Seating

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Awards Dinner

Truck Driving Competition Qualification Criteria

Qualification criteria for the event have been modified as follows:

1. At least one year of continuous full-time employment as a driver with a food distribution company (i.e., foodservice, foodservice manufacturer with private fleet, retail/wholesale grocery), and is currently a full-time driver (not a supervisor).

2. A driver record that meets the following: A competing driver must have an “accident free” driving record for one year prior to October 13, 2023. An accident free driving record means the driver is not involved in any accidents where they are at fault and has not incurred any alcohol or drug-related chargeable violations.

3. The driver holds a valid license for the type of truck to be driven during the IFDA competition.

4. The driver has continuously distinguished himself/herself by embracing a culture of safety and seeking to improve as a professional.

5. The driver has the skills and abilities to be competitive at the national IFDA Truck Driving Championship.

A Good Time for All!

This is an exciting time for drivers and their families, as well as for company management. This is also a “kid friendly” event! Children of all ages are welcome to attend the competition and the gala awards dinner.

You Can Also Support Safety As A Judge: The IFDA Truck Driving Championship uses two field courses to speed up the competition. If you are in management, we could use your help as a judge. As a judge, you help score truck drivers during the competition. This is a great way to be involved in the event, meet other transportation professionals, and support your drivers. Judge attendance is complimentary. Please note, you do not need to have a driver in the competition in order to be a judge.

Registration

New for 2023 - Introducing the Company Leader Role

This year we are introducing a new registration process that is intended to help streamline the registration and onsite check-in experience. There is a two-step registration process for the National Championship.

Step One

Identify a Company Leader and submit your Company Leader registration.

Step Two

Once the Company Leader has been identified, they will receive a confirmation email with the link to register their competitors and attendees.

Register Now

Questions about registration? Please contact Jodee Hunt: jhunt@ifdaonline.org or Shaun Surette: ssurette@ifdaonline.org

Hotel & Destination

The IFDA 2023 National Championship Housing Block is now closed.

The hotel has suggested the following nearby hotels:

The Hyatt Place Lake Buena Vista – approx. one mile away
8688 Palm Parkway
Orlando, Florida, 32836
Phone: +1 407 778 5500

The Candlewood Suites -- across the street from the Hyatt
Orlando – Lake Buena Vista
12341 Winter Garden Vineland Rd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836
Direct Line: 407.477.4433 ext. 5006

Participants and attendees will be staying at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, FL.

The Field Course will be located at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL.

Orlando attractions await you!
There is plenty of fun adventures to be had in Orlando, Florida. Here are a few links to help you plan your free-time.

Please be aware of housing phishing schemes.
IFDA has not engaged the services of any third party housing bureau to manage housing services on our behalf. IFDA will not contact you to make housing arrangements. If you are contacted by any companies seeking to fraudulently book housing on our behalf, please forward contact information to us at housing@ifdaonline.org.