10/29/13

The Work Truck Show® 2014 Offers Modern Solutions for Truck Equipment Distributors

Registration Open for North America’s Largest Work Truck Event

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (Oct. 16, 2013) — Truck equipment distributors can learn how to adapt their businesses to meet changing customer demands at The Work Truck Show® 2014. North America’s largest work truck event features more than 60 educational sessions, including two Special Sessions designed specifically to help distributors thrive in the evolving work truck industry.

The Work Truck Show is held March 5–7, 2014, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Educational programming, including the Green Truck Summit, begins March 4. The event includes the 50th Annual NTEA Convention.

“Our 50th year is a milestone, but The Work Truck Show 2014 is all about the future,” says Mark Woody, NTEA 2014 Convention chairman and president of Palfinger North America (Niagara Falls, ON, Canada). “For the show and beyond, there is a real focus on new technology, equipment and ways of thinking that are necessary for industry professionals to thrive.”

The Special Session Customer Service: Creating a World-Class Service Organization is presented by Dennis Snow, who spent 20 years managing various operations at the Walt Disney World Company. Snow’s discussion highlights key points of contact that make or break the customer experience. Snow covers how to orchestrate the customer’s entire experience and introduces processes that companies can implement to make excellent service a core piece of their operations.

The shift over the past decade toward more professional and profitable product support operations is outlined in the Special Session Parts & Service Marketing: Making a Difference. In this session, Ron Slee, president of R.J. Slee & Associates (Rancho Mirage, CA) addresses contemporary customer expectations and how distributors can use their parts and service divisions to strengthen their companies. Slee outlines six key elements of a successful parts marketing plan, including customer categorization and tools for measuring success.

Both Special Sessions are held Tuesday, March 4, 8:30am–11:30am. A separate ticket is required for each.

Other educational opportunities for distributors include “Calculating Weight Distribution and Payload for Work Trucks Made Simple”; “Planning for Your Company’s Future: Identifying Upcoming Industry and Economic Trends”; “The Holy Grail of Federal Excise Tax Concepts”; “Equipping Your Shop to Handle Alternative Fuel Vehicles”; “How to Inspire Loyalty and Effort in Your Team”; “Understanding the Ins and Outs of NAFTA”; and “Tactics for Building a Dynamic, Cohesive Team.”

Many of the world’s leading chassis manufacturers use The Work Truck Show to give updates about product line developments, including new technical information on specifications and installation. In 2014, 14 OEMs are scheduled to present Chassis Update sessions: Chevrolet and GMC Commercial Truck; Daimler Vans USA LLC; Ford Commercial Truck; Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation; Freightliner Trucks; Hino Trucks; International Truck; Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc.; Kenworth Truck Company; Mack Trucks, Inc.; Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc.; Peterbilt Motors Company; Ram Commercial; and Western Star Trucks.

Studies have shown that poor employee communication skills cost the average organization 25–40 percent of their budgets every year. Young work truck industry professionals learn how to improve communications within their organizations at the Generation Next Leadership Workshop & Networking Reception: How to Become a Superior Communicator Special Session on Wednesday, March 5, 3:00PM–5:00PM. The session covers all aspects of the communication process, including non-verbal cues, effective listening and how to convey directions. It is presented by Doug Cartland, president, DCI (Sharon, WI).

Event highlights also include the Opening Reception at the JW Marriott Indianapolis on March 4 and the President’s Breakfast & NTEA Annual Meeting, featuring keynoter Condoleezza Rice, on March 6.

Registration for The Work Truck Show 2014 is open. To register or find more information, visit www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-6832.

Connect with the NTEA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTEA.TheAssociationForTheWorkTruckIndustry, and join the Work Truck Show conversation on Twitter at @WorkTruckShow and @nteanews with the official hashtag: #wts2014.

About NTEAEstablished in 1964, NTEA, the Association for the Work Truck Industry, represents more than 1,600 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to the Association. NTEA provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces The Work Truck Show. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, DC.

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