Editor’s note: In advance of the 2019 Work Truck in Indianapolis in March, we reached out to Steve Carey, president and chief executive officer of the National Truck Equipment Association, which organizes the annual event. He took time from his hectic schedule just before the holidays to give us thoughtful written answers, which we’re publishing here.
STM: How are preparations coming along for the 2019 Work Truck Show?
Steve Carey, president and chief executive officer of the National Truck Equipment Association
Carey: Along with a sold-out exhibit hall, debut of Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference, combination of Green Truck Summit and Fleet Technical Congress, introduction of New Exhibitor Pavilion, this year’s educational program and a variety of special events, we’re looking forward to the 2019 Show. Learn more about new offerings to expect at worktruckshow.com/new.
STM: How many attendees are you expecting, and what do you base that projection on?
Carey: We have found it’s difficult to predict final attendance numbers this far in advance, but hope to continue the attendance growth trend experienced over the last several years. Our continuous focus is to stay on the pulse of the industry through attendee feedback, member visits and industry benchmarking to develop a Work Truck Week that’s a must-attend for anyone in the work truck industry. This enables us to provide an event that helps attendees and exhibitors grow their businesses and enhance operations, while keeping in mind potential effects of outside factors, such as weather, that can influence attendance closer to the timeframe.
STM: New to the show this year is the Manufacturer and Innovation Conference. Why has the show added that conference, and why are you launching it in 2019?
Carey: This new conference was developed based on requests and suggestions from industry professionals. Curriculum focuses on process improvement, strengthening organization and work throughput, and building your workforce through knowledge transfer and training within industry. The event addresses an ongoing effort to highlight best practices, new ideas and innovative solutions for work truck industry manufacturers and distributors.
STM: A show like WTS is a huge undertaking. How many people does the NTEA employ in organizing and putting on this event?
Carey: We currently have a staff of 36 people who dedicate time to planning and executing the Show each year. We also work with outstanding vendor partners — both pre-Show and on-site — to produce this event.
STM: What can you tell us about how much it costs to organize and run the Work Truck Show?
Carey: The resources required to produce an event of the caliber of The Work Truck Show are tremendous and represent the single largest investment the Association makes each year for the industry.
STM: I didn’t notice a New Product Spotlight for the 2019 show. Has that been discontinued? If so, why?
We are pleased to continue our New Product Spotlight and Green Product Showcase programs this year. Featured exhibitors and products are identified in our interactive floor plan at worktruckshow.com/explore as well as December–February issues of NTEA News. The floor plan also highlights companies in the Productivity and Fuels Pavilion and New Exhibitor Pavilion.
STM: As NTEA’s president and CEO, what do you find most interesting or exciting about the 2019 WTS and why?
Carey: The Work Truck Show continues to evolve and innovate in response to the demands of our member companies. Our goal for the event is to provide a platform to help companies be successful, which is very well aligned with the mission of NTEA. Each year, more and more industry businesses and organizations use this week to launch new products, host meetings and networking events, and provide training. For instance, as part of the 105th Purdue Road School Transportation Conference and Expo, a select number of classes are being held at Indiana Convention Center in conjunction with the Show. Such offerings represent and validate how important these days together in Indianapolis are to the industry.
STM: Will the Work Truck Show return to Indianapolis in 2020? If not, what will be the show’s location for that year and in coming years?
Carey: The Work Truck Show will return to Indianapolis March 3–6, 2020, for the 20th anniversary of The Work Truck Show. Sessions begin March 3 and the exhibit hall is open March 4–6. As there are significant complexities in scheduling an event as large as The Work Truck Show, the date pattern is typically announced approximately two years in advance. NTEA will be sharing confirmed schedules beyond 2020 early next year.
STM: What can you say about 2019 President’s Breakfast speaker Jeffrey Gitomer? He’s not as well-known as previous speakers like Jay Leno or Terry Bradshaw.
Carey: Jeffrey Gitomer is a dynamic speaker who will provide business insights and takeaways for those in the audience that morning. There may be a few surprises yet to be announced, so you will need to stay tuned.
STM: What else would you like to stress about the 2019 Work Truck Show?
Carey: The Work Truck Show begins with a full day of education and networking on Tuesday, March 5. New this year, manufacturers and distributors can learn how to improve manufacturing efficiency and business results using the latest techniques and technology at Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference. A special session, Lean 101: Straightforward Approach to Lean Implementation for Truck Equipment Upfitters, is also scheduled for Tuesday.
Fleet Technical Congress and Green Truck Summit will run concurrently on Tuesday. For the first time, registrants will be able to switch back and forth between the two popular conferences, based on which educational session topics interest them, throughout the day. A combined reception will be held following the last general sessions.
Concurrent educational sessions, including exclusive OEM truck updates, take place Tuesday afternoon. The opening reception Tuesday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium gives professionals from across the industry a chance to network in a fun environment.
Educational opportunities continue Wednesday morning, with concurrent sessions available, as well as the special session Fleet Management 101. NTEA’s Generation Next hosts a Leadership Workshop and Networking Reception: How to Become a League of Your Own from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibit hall opens at 10 a.m. and features the industry’s newest products, equipment and technology developments, as well as The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive outside. Each year, exhibiting companies use The Work Truck Show as a platform for launching new trucks, components and equipment. Multiple press conferences will be held on the exhibit floor, and we’re looking forward to seeing the latest innovations that will be released to the industry.
The New Exhibitor Pavilion will be open Wednesday and Thursday. This new, dedicated space showcases companies exhibiting at the Show for the first time. It opens an hour before the main exhibit hall to give attendees extra time to discover something new.
Thursday kicks off with President’s Breakfast & NTEA Annual Meeting. Also on Thursday, attendees can register to attend Purdue Road School, LTAP Fleet Educational Program: The Blizzard of 2039, or the special session, The Toyota Kata Journey — Daily Practice for Scientific Thinking, Mindset and Culture. Concurrent educational sessions, exhibit hall and Ride-and-Drive opportunities continue on Thursday.
On Friday, attendees can explore the more than 500,000-square-foot exhibit floor one last time to find the latest trucks, bodies, equipment and technology. They’ll also have the chance to speak directly with management, sales and engineering teams in manufacturers’ booths to get technical solutions and advice.
— Keith Norbury
