The Work Truck Show 2007 was the biggest event ever produced by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). Records were smashed as attendance exceeded 9,000 for the first time, and 500 industry suppliers exhibited on 194,000 net square feet of floor space.
The Work Truck Show 2007 was held in conjunction with the 43rd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome March 7-9.
“This was the best and most dynamic event in NTEA history,” says Jim Carney, NTEA executive director. “Verified attendance was 9,084. That’s a 28% increase over 2006, topping all previous years! At the show, industry professionals from around the world had the opportunity to interact with more exhibitors than ever before. We set a new standard this year. Our goal is to continue to grow the event at The Work Truck Show 2008 in Atlanta.”
The Work Truck Show is North America’s largest gathering of vocational trucks and transportation equipment from Classes 1-8, including chassis, bodies, components and accessories. Attendees include truck fleet managers, truck buyers, maintenance personnel, distributors/upfitters, manufacturers and truck dealers.
Attendees were drawn to the event in part by exhibitors’ extensive new product introductions. Eight leading chassis manufacturers unveiled new vehicles at the show, including Dodge, Ford Commercial Truck, General Motors Fleet & Commercial Operations, International Truck and Engine Corporation, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Kenworth Truck Co., Sterling Trucks and Workhorse Custom Chassis. More than 75 companies highlighted new products and product innovations through the New Product Spotlight and New Product Media Guide programs at the show.
The event’s extensive educational conference of nearly 40 education sessions, free training on the show floor and two popular Special Sessions were also major attractions. The Hybrid Truck & Alternative Fuels Summit kicked off the event’s educational activities on Tuesday, March 6. At the Summit, academic and industry experts covered a variety of alternative fuel and hybrid vehicle technology topics. Later, show attendees could try out six alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles during a Hybrid Ride-and-Drive and visit the special “Stepping into the Future Pavilion” on the show floor that highlighted commercially viable hybrid and alternative fuel technology.
Another big draw was the Special Session “Closing the Gap: A Customer-based Approach to Competitive Differentiation,” also held Tuesday, March 6. Ryan Mathews, CEO of Black Monk Consulting (Royal Oak, MI), facilitated this interactive session that outlined key points of the NTEA’s extensive research of fleets and truck dealers.
Other event highlights included:
- A motivational keynote address by Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts and two-time NFL MVP. Manning addressed a sold-out crowd of 1,700 at the President’s Breakfast and NTEA Annual Meeting March 8.
- A day-long Fleet Management Symposium was held March 6. The Symposium provided participants with financial and operational practices they can use to reduce costs and increase shop labor productivity.
- Exhibits from 16 of the world’s leading truck chassis manufacturers gave attendees an overview of the latest commercial offerings on the market. Twelve chassis manufacturers presented informational update sessions on chassis specifications, design and body installation.
The Work Truck Show 2008 will be held in conjunction with the 44th Annual NTEA Convention Feb. 26-28, 2008, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. The Convention begins Feb. 25. Building on the success of The Work Truck Show 2007, more than 80% of floor space already has been sold. Online registration opens September 2007.