FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The Work Truck Show 2012, held March 6-8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, was the biggest work truck event in history, according to event organizers. It broke all standing event records, with a verified 10,408 attendees checking out work trucks and equipment from 563 exhibitors.
The event’s Green Truck Summit on March 5-6 also hit new highs, the group said, with a keynote address from U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu helping to attract a record 772 attendees. This represents a 13 percent increase over last year’s record Summit turnout.
Produced annually by the NTEA, the association for the work truck industry, The Work Truck Show showcases more than 500,000 square feet of Class 1-8 vocational trucks and equipment. The event also features more than 60 educational and technical training programs, including the Green Truck Summit, North America’s leading educational forum on high-efficiency and alternative-fuel vocational vehicles. The Summit is jointly produced by NTEA and CALSTART.
NTEA Executive Director Steve Carey said the event growth and overall positive atmosphere on the show floor reflect improving market conditions as the industry continues to rebound.
“This is the second year in a row that The Work Truck Show has achieved new records for attendance, exhibitor participation and product launches,”Carey said. “We will build on this momentum as we prepare to bring an even bigger Show back to Indianapolis for an unprecedented third straight year in 2013. In response to growing demand, we’re expanding next year’s show floor — and have already sold 92 percent of available space.”
New products continue to be a significant draw for attendees. This year, more than 120 exhibiting companies launched at least 140 new products, including alternative fuel systems, vehicle components, truck equipment and full-size trucks. Among the many notable launches were a new CNG pickup truck from Ram Trucks, General Motors’ bi-fuel 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickups, four new cranes from Palfinger North America Group, the CHARGE Clean-Power Series of controls for snow removal equipment from Henderson Products, Inc., lightweight in-vehicle equipment from Sortimo NA, and EcoBoost technology from Ford Commercial Truck.
Other Work Truck Show 2012 highlights included a sold-out President’s Breakfast and 48th NTEA Annual Meeting on March 7, with keynote address by President George W. Bush. During the President’s Breakfast, Jim Carney, NTEA senior executive director, was recognized for his 36-year career with the NTEA. He will retire April 30.
The Work Truck Show 2013 returns to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis March 6-8, 2013. Educational programming, including the Green Truck Summit, starts March 5. Online registration opens at NTEA.com in October.
For more information, visit www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-6832.
