FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The Work Truck Show 2013 exhibit floor opens Wednesday, March 6, but attendees looking to gain an advantage over the competition should be sure to arrive a day earlier to take advantage of world-class educational programming, say event organizers.
“Tuesday is definitely our most intensive education day,” said Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “It hasn’t always been that way, but as attendees have requested more and more educational opportunities we have continued to add significantly more programming earlier in the week.”
The Work Truck Show, North America’s largest work truck event, returns to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind., March 6–8, 2013. Educational sessions kick off March 5 with two special sessions, 11 concurrent sessions and the Fleet Management Symposium. At the Green Truck Summit, which also opens March 5, there are four general sessions, 18 breakout sessions and a keynote address on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s lineup includes three sessions led by NTEA experts about economic, legislative and overall industry trends. The truck equipment industry is evolving faster than at any other time in history. Carey and Tim Campbell, managing director, Campbells Ltd. (Leyland, England, U.K.), will provide insights into the trends dramatically impacting the industry as well as advice on navigating today’s ever-changing marketplace during “State of the Industry Overview – the NTEA Perspective” at 3 p.m. At the same time, Michael Kastner, senior director of government affairs, and Bob Raybuck, director of technical services, will update companies on current and upcoming government mandates and the impact this legislation can have on work truck industry businesses in “Navigating the Impacts of Government Regulations on the Work Truck Industry.” Stephen Latin-Kasper, director of market data and research, presents his popular session on where the industry is headed, anticipated trends and the impact of the U.S. and international economies on business cycles in “Upcoming Industry and Economic Trends: Impacts on Your Business” at 1:30 p.m.
“Participation in educational programing has grown tremendously in recent years because people realize there is no other place where they can learn so much,” Carey added. “Our industry is changing rapidly, and it is essential that you stay up to speed with the latest developments.”
Two Special Sessions on March 5 have been developed specifically for truck equipment distributors. “Selling Skills for Truck Body and Equipment Professionals” provides useful tools to help create good selling habits and “Implementing a Lean Management System” teaches techniques owners and managers can use to improve operations by establishing a lean culture.
Concurrent sessions on Tuesday that focus on distributor issues include “Simplifying the Complex: Performing Accurate Weight Distribution and Payload Calculations for Work Trucks” and “Staying Clear of Costly Truck Frame Modification Errors.” Both sessions are led by Richard Toner of Toner Associates (Pentwater, Mich.).
The full schedule of educational sessions may be viewed at www.ntea.com/worktruckshow/schedule.
Attendees who get to Indianapolis on Tuesday also may, with a ticket, attend the show’s opening reception at Lucas Oil Stadium.
To register for The Work Truck Show 2013, visit www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-6832.
