South Dakota Trucking Association

What South Dakota Trucking Association does

The South Dakota Trucking Association (SDTA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1932 and headquartered at 3801 S. Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It represents South Dakota-based motor carriers, professional truck drivers, and associate service providers (insurance, fuel, equipment, HR, and related industries), serving as the state's primary industry advocate before the South Dakota legislature and federal regulators. SDTA is a member of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for federal-level representation and shares staff and operations with the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association (SDADA) under a joint-services arrangement.

SDTA's core product is its membership program, offered at two tiers — Regular Membership for trucking companies at $300/year and Associate Membership for service providers at $500/year — supplemented by recurring annual programming that includes the Annual Convention, Annual Golf Event, South Dakota Truck Driving Championships, Wheel Jam Truck Show, Cliff Tjaden Fishing Event, Annual Pheasant Hunt, and Legislative Receptions. Additional member-facing products include the SDTA Trucking News monthly publication, the Driveline Podcast (co-produced with SDADA), the Driver of the Month recognition program, the Safety Management Council, the SDTA Buyers Guide online directory, the SDTA Foundation Scholarship (seven $1,000 annual scholarships), and the Pit Stop Print Shop for member print services. The Truck PAC provides political advocacy with contribution tiers ranging from $50 (Badlands Club) to $200 (Capital Club).

The business model is membership-fee-recurring combined with event and sponsorship revenue, operated on a Wild Apricot membership management platform with Constant Contact for email marketing. The association employs a small staff of five — President Christine Vinatieri-Erickson, Membership Manager Michelle Wells, Communications & Marketing Specialist Ian Hansen, Office Manager/Graphic Designer Patty Hinz, and Controller Scott Johnson — supported by an elected Board of Directors and Executive Committee drawn from member trucking companies. Quantified member benefits cited by SDTA include a 35% lower crash rate among state association members compared to non-members and historical advocacy wins including stopping a fuel tax increase (~$400/truck annual savings) and repealing a tax on in-state transportation services (~$4 million annual savings to South Dakota businesses).

Name

South Dakota Trucking Association

Legal name

South Dakota Trucking Association

Website

https://southdakotatrucking.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The South Dakota Trucking Association is a 90+ year-old non-profit trade association serving South Dakota motor carriers, drivers, and industry service providers through annual membership dues, advocacy, safety programs, and annual events such as the convention, golf tournament, and truck driving championships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sioux Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Regular Members ($300/year) and Associate Members ($500/year)
2. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue from Annual Convention, Golf Event, Truck Driving Championships, Fishing Event, and various sponsorship opportunities
3. Print Shop Services: Pit Stop Print Shop providing business cards and print services to members
4. Truck PAC Donations: Political Action Committee donations from members at various tiers (Capital Club $200, Dakota Club $150, Rushmore Club $100, Badlands Club $50)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Dakota Trucking Association (SDTA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association that represents motor carriers and allied businesses in the South Dakota trucking industry. It sells annual memberships (Regular at $300/year for trucking companies and Associate at $500/year for allied service providers), industry advocacy, safety programming, networking events, and member publications including the SDTA Trucking News and the Driveline Podcast.

Product overview

The South Dakota Trucking Association operates as a membership-based trade association offering a comprehensive portfolio of services to support trucking companies and professionals across South Dakota. The core offerings include advocacy programs through its Political Action Committee, industry publications (SDTA Trucking News), professional development initiatives (Safety Management Council, Driver of the Month, scholarship programs), and annual events (Convention, Golf Event, Truck Driving Championships, Fishing Event, Pheasant Hunt). The association also provides member resources including a Buyers Guide directory, Driveline Podcast, and print shop services through Wild Apricot membership software. Membership is available in two tiers: Regular ($300/year) and Associate ($500/year). The association advocates for the trucking industry at state and federal levels and has been serving members for over 90 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regular Membership Annual membership for motor carriers and trucking companies operating in South Dakota, priced at $300/year, granting access to advocacy, safety programs, networking events, publications, and the SDTA member community.
• Associate Membership Annual membership for allied businesses serving the trucking industry (insurance, fuel, equipment, legal, finance, technology vendors), priced at $500/year, granting access to the SDTA Buyers Guide, event sponsorships, advertising, and networking with fleet decision-makers.
• SDTA Trucking News Member publication providing industry news, regulatory updates, member spotlights, and advertising opportunities for South Dakota trucking companies and Associate Members.
• SDTA Buyers Guide Online directory of vetted service providers serving the South Dakota trucking industry, connecting motor carriers with Associate Member vendors across insurance, equipment, fuel, legal, and other categories.
• SDTA Safety Management Council Member safety program providing safety training resources, compliance support, and best-practice sharing for South Dakota fleet safety directors and operations managers.
• Pit Stop Print Shop Member-priced print and apparel storefront offering branded merchandise and printed materials for trucking companies and Associate Members.
• Driveline Podcast SDTA-produced member-facing audio program covering trucking industry topics, member interviews, regulatory updates, and association news.
• SDTA Annual Convention Annual multi-day member conference held in South Dakota featuring keynote sessions, association business meetings, networking, exhibitor showcase, and awards for SDTA Regular and Associate Members.
• Wheel Jam Truck Show Annual public-facing truck show and industry event organized by SDTA, featuring truck displays, exhibitors, and community engagement for members and the general public.
• Truck Driving Championships Annual competitive event for professional truck drivers from SDTA member companies, testing driving skills, safety knowledge, and professionalism.
• SDTA Scholarship Program Member-funded scholarship program supporting students pursuing trucking-industry careers, including dependents of SDTA member companies and individuals entering driver training programs.
• SDTA PAC Member-supported political action committee advocating for trucking-friendly candidates and policies at the South Dakota state level.

Quantifiable outcome

• State Association Members are in 35% Less Crashes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Trucking Associations (ATA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDTA is a member of ATA, providing representation with Federal Trade Commission, Department of Transportation, and federal regulatory bodies. ATA provides resources, standards, and national-level advocacy support.
• RAS (Risk Administration Services)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier risk management advisor and leading workers' compensation insurance writer in the region. Approved insurer of SDTA with A.M. Best A- rating. Provides workplace safety programs and loss mitigation services.
• BluepeakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiber internet provider offering up to 10 gigabit speeds for businesses. Provides connectivity services to members.
• Colonial Life & Accident Insurance CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarket leader in workplace financial protection benefits including disability, life, accident, dental, cancer, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance. Serves 85,000+ businesses representing 3.5 million workers.
• Pro ResourcesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHR services provider offering small business solutions including 401k plans, life insurance, payroll services, benefits administration, wellness programs, and workplace safety training.
• Fischer, Rounds & Associates, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance agency providing commercial insurance policies and customer service to trucking industry clients.
• Strategic Value Media (SVM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSubsidiary of PSP Sports providing advertising services for trade and industry associations. Offers digital and print advertising opportunities generating non-dues revenue.
• South Dakota Auto Dealers Association (SDADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operations with shared staff and office. Co-produce Driveline podcast covering both trucking and auto dealership industries. Combined annual events including pheasant hunt.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Trucking Associations: National umbrella trade association for the US trucking industry. SDTA is a member of ATA, making it the closest hierarchical peer: overlapping advocacy mission but operating at the federal level across all 50 states.

Others

• South Dakota Auto Dealers Association: Adjacent state trade association that shares staff, headquarters, podcast (Driveline), and joint events with SDTA. Not a competitor but a closely co-located affiliated association with overlapping operational infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Minnesota Trucking Association: State-level trucking trade association serving neighboring Minnesota with parallel advocacy, safety, and membership-based offerings. Most directly comparable in mission, structure, and operating model to SDTA.
• North Dakota Motor Carriers Association: State trucking association in neighboring North Dakota providing advocacy, safety programs, and member events. Highly comparable to SDTA in mission and small-state operating scale.
• Iowa Motor Truck Association: Iowa's state trucking trade association offering advocacy, safety, and member services to in-state motor carriers. Directly comparable in offerings and operating model to SDTA.
• Nebraska Trucking Association: Nebraska state-level trucking industry association providing advocacy, training, and events to member carriers. Operates with a comparable structure and member services portfolio to SDTA.
• Wyoming Trucking Association: Wyoming's state trucking association serving motor carriers in a similar low-population, rural state. Closely comparable to SDTA in scale, scope, and mission profile.
• Montana Trucking Association: Montana state trucking trade association offering advocacy, safety programs, and member events. Comparable to SDTA in regional scope, mission, and member services.
• Kansas Motor Carriers Association: Kansas state trucking association providing advocacy, safety, and member services to motor carriers. Directly comparable to SDTA in mission and operating model.
• Colorado Motor Carriers Association: Colorado state trucking trade association offering member services, advocacy, and safety programs to in-state motor carriers. Comparable structure to SDTA, though operating in a larger state market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIOHfl6PeJaYe7dRT5WsTBg
• Xx.com/SoDakTrucking
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoDakTrucking

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Dakota Trucking Association