FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — What’s keeping you awake at night? As part of its efforts to continuously improve The Work Truck Show, NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry has added new features for 2015 and provided answers for many of the common issues facing truck equipment distributors.
The Work Truck Show 2015, North America’s largest work truck event, will be held March 4-6 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Educational programming, including the Green Truck Summit, begins March 3.
“After more than 50 years of serving the work truck industry, we know our members’ businesses and the obstacles they face,” says Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “Every day, new challenges arise with recruiting and retaining skilled employees, keeping up with government regulations, operating efficiently and determining from where the next area of growth will come. We’ve tailored many of The Work Truck Show 2015’s features and educational sessions to address these issues and provide actionable items to help improve our member companies.”
Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Employees
In a competitive industry, the right employees can make or break a business. That’s why The Work Truck Show 2015 will feature dedicated educational sessions about employee assessment and recruitment, as well as success stories from fellow distributors who have implemented effective hiring practices.
Finding skilled workers is only half the battle, so employee development and retention strategies also will be highlighted in educational sessions. On the trade show floor, hands-on access to equipment in the manufacturer displays serves as an ideal opportunity to train employees about the products customers will rely on in the future.
Monitoring Government Regulations
New government regulations and federal safety standards are affecting the ways industry companies do business. Work Truck Show attendees can learn about changing regulatory compliance issues at “Mitigating Risk Through Proper Truck Certification” on March 3.
In addition, distributors can stop by the NTEA booth on the trade show floor where members of NTEA’s government relations, technical services and business development teams are available to answer questions on federal excise tax, vehicle certification, legislative and regulatory issues, and more.
Developing New Product Lines and Industry Alliances
Drawing more than 10,000 attendees annually, The Work Truck Show provides one of the best opportunities of the year to foster and build relationships among truck equipment distributors, manufacturers, leasing companies and truck dealers. In 2015, the event will showcase new products and new exhibitors to help attendees more easily identify companies and products they have not seen previously. During the event, 15 of the world’s leading vocational chassis manufacturers will present Chassis Update sessions on what’s new and upcoming with their product lines, so distributors can plan how to best spec’ and upfit future vehicles.
Evaluating Market and Equipment Trends
In order to maximize efficiency, truck equipment distributors are increasingly turning to lean strategies. At “Straightforward Approach to Lean Implementation that is Working for Truck Equipment Upfitters,” business owners and shop managers can learn how to increase productivity by at least 20 percent without adding personnel or equipment. Other truck and equipment trends will be discussed at industry roundtables and sessions devoted to market and purchasing forecasts.
Work Truck Show 2015 changes are not limited to the trade show floor and educational sessions. NTEA will host The Work Truck Show’s first Rhythm & Blues Extravaganza on March 5. This new industry party will be held at one of the nation’s top blues venues, the Slippery Noodle Inn, and feature live music from the Jeremiah Johnson Band. Additional Work Truck Show networking events include the Opening Reception on March 3 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis and the President’s Breakfast & NTEA Annual Meeting featuring keynote speaker Tony Dungy on March 5.
Registration for The Work Truck Show 2015 is now open. To register or find more information, visit WorkTruckShow.com or call 1-800-441-6832.
