Convention and T3 Expo later this month
Later this month more than 380 exhibiting companies and a projected 7,000 industry professionals will converge on St. Louis for the National Truck Equipment Assn. (NTEA) Convention and T3 2000 - The Commercial Truck, Trailer, and Technology Expo. The first-ever event, to be held February 23-25, is designed to have everything you need to be better informed and prepared for the business challenges of tomorrow.
The expo breaks industry barriers by opening its doors to the entire commercial truck marketplace, from manufacturers to distributors, from dealers to end-users. The new format is based on an extensive study of NTEA members that highlighted the widespread changes occurring in the trucking business: consolidating markets, shifting channels of distribution, equipment innovations, more demanding customers, plus new information technologies, according to Jim Carney, executive director.
Fleets looking to get the most out of the show would do well to plan their days so that they can take advantage of the educational sessions. Aside from the latest chassis updates from Ford, Dodge, Volvo, Freightliner, Mitsubishi, GM, Isuzu, Sterling, and Peterbilt, fleet executives can choose from 41 concurrent sessions, divided into four content tracks: sales, shop/production, management, and fleet administration. "Education is the singl e most important strategy in keeping up with the sweeping changes taking place in the commercial truck and transportation industry," said Carney.
Workshops include:
* Creating Superior Customer Satisfaction
* Evaluating Truck Equipment Quotes and Bids
* Introduction to Truck Air Brake Systems
* Keeping Current on Federal Excise Taxes
* How the Web Affects Your Business
* Building a Productive Shop Team
* Government Issues
* Truck Body Mounting Overview
* Understanding Life Cycle Costing
* Considering Equipment Load Factors
* New Painting Technologies
* The Value of Partnering with Truck Dealers
* Truck Design Aspects Affecting Vehicle Dynamics
* Driveline Installation and Service
Joe Theismann, ESPN NFL analyst and former Notre Dame All-American, will kick off the event with his keynote address, "A Game Plan for the 21st Century." He will focus on how to succeed under pressure and quickly adapt to unexpected situations.
Two other prominent speakers will address general sessions on Thursday and Friday. Mark Sanborn, author of Sanborn on Success and Teambuilt: Making Teamwork Work, will present "Mastering Change" and discuss how the ability to change faster than the competition is key to survival and success.
Thomas Winninger, founder of the Winninger Institute for Market Strategy and author of two best-selling books, Price Wars and Hiring Smart, will conduct a session titled "Price Wars - How to Win the Battle for Your Customer." He will provide strategies for beating the competition, commanding higher prices, and raising profits.
T3 2000 will feature a full spectrum of of Class 1-8 truck OEMs, as well as commercial truck body, equipment, and accessory manufacturers.
Other exhibits will include new and emerging vehicle component technologies; the latest applications for maintenance, routing, and service; shop productivity ideas and training; product development trends; high-tech equipment and software; and new product introductions.
To get the most out of this power-packed lineup, Carney recommends the following strategies:
* Come prepared with a firm understanding of your company's challenges and earmark in advance those sessions that you think will be of most value to you.
* Make sure you plan to see the new equipment offerings on display. Each manufacturer will have resources that can help you make decisions about equipment-buying, operation, maintenance, and disposal options.
NTEA maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, D.C. Its Web site, www.ntea.com, provides an interactive listing of members and their products/services, as well as important industry news, technical information, and marketing resources.
For more information and to register for the NTEA Convention and T3 2000 Expo, call 800-441-NTEA; fax 248-489-8590; visit NTEA's Web site at www.ntea.com or register online at www.T3expo.net; or write to NTEA at 37400 Hills Tech Drive, Farmington Hills, Mich. 48331-3414.
