Our Story

CLDA’s History

Vision and determination have been a hallmark of CLDA member companies and of the Association itself. This is our story.

In 1987, a small group of industry professionals came to a similar conclusion: their companies – all focused on ‎messenger and courier services – faced similar challenges that were very specific to their sector of the industry. And ‎try as they might to fit in with the established associations for trucking professionals, there wasn’t a group to meet ‎their needs.‎

This group decided to put aside their apprehensions about sharing information with their competition to see what ‎they could learn from one another. Through this mutual agreement to put a certain level of trust in the individuals ‎once viewed only as competitors, the Messenger and Courier Association of the Americas (MCAA) was born.‎

The MCAA grew each year as more messenger and courier companies came to see how their businesses could benefit ‎from collaborative efforts in the industry. Four companies became 40 by the second year, and today the association ‎has grown to a membership of over 2,900 logistics professionals, carriers, shippers, drivers, air cargo logistics ‎providers, 3PLs and vendors servicing today’s supply chain companies.‎

In 2013, the MCAA re-branded as the Customized Logistics and Delivery ‎Association (CLDA) in response to the ‎changing face of the industry. The name CLDA showcases the critical role our members have in the global supply ‎chain, going well beyond their courier roots to meet the growing and changing needs of their customers.‎

What started as a learning opportunity grew into an active association offering professional development ‎opportunities, education on trends and best practices, and a strong advocacy presence on Capitol Hill and in state ‎houses across the United States.‎

Meet our current Board of Directors, Committees and award recipients who have, and continue to, shape the future of our industry.