INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis was once again the center of the vocational truck universe as more than 10,000 industry professionals gathered for The Work Truck Show 2014, March 5-7 at the Indiana Convention Center. The event featured new product introductions, a day-and-a-half Green Truck Summit, more than 60 educational sessions and a record number of ride-and-drive opportunities.
The Work Truck Show is produced annually by NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry. The event’s educational conference, including the popular Green Truck Summit, kicked off on March 4. A total of 10,160 people attended The Work Truck Show 2014, making it one of the best-attended events in NTEA history.
“The success of this year’s Work Truck Show is reflective of the slow but steady growth our industry is currently enjoying,” said Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “Vocational trucks and equipment are the tools that millions of people rely on every day to get their jobs done. As the economy improves and budget restrictions ease, vocational fleets are able to start replacing older equipment. The Work Truck Show offers the best opportunity to see and try the latest products, get questions answered and develop a better understanding of industry trends, all in one place at one time.”
More than 100 new products were introduced at the show, including the 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America’s 2015 Canter FE130 cabover work truck, and many technology developments designed to improve work truck fuel utilization. Several companies also used the show as a platform to announce new partnerships and technology adoptions. For example, UPS and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) announced that UPS is buying 1,000 propane delivery trucks and building 50 fueling stations for a total investment of roughly $70 million.
One of the hottest areas in the work truck industry in recent years has been the development of sustainable technology, according to the NTEA. This trend has driven the ongoing popularity of the Green Truck Summit and the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive at The Work Truck Show. At the 2014 event, attendees had the opportunity to test-drive nearly 30 "green" vehicles for themselves between the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive and the new PERC-sponsored Propane Autogas Ride & Drive.
The NTEA 50th Annual Convention was held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show 2014. NTEA celebrated 50 years of serving the industry with special NTEA member giveaways, displays in the NTEA Member Lounge and a photo retrospective during the President’s Breakfast and NTEA Annual Meeting with keynote speaker Condoleezza Rice.
The Work Truck Show returns to Indianapolis March 4-6, 2015. Educational programming begins March 3. Exhibit space on an even larger show floor is already 99 percent sold out.
For more information about The Work Truck Show, visit www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-6832.
