2008 Expedited Expo Idea Re-Visited

[TeamCaffee]

We all want or at least most of us want the 2008 Expo to be the best ever so I am going to repost this thread. Your serious ideas will be looked at for next years Expo.

Expedite Expo 2008 Attendance.

I have talked to a few people that did not attend the Expo and the consensus of their reasons is that they seem to feel The Expo is designed for the person looking for a new company, shopping for a new truck, or for people interested in learning about expediting. Several of us were discussing what could be done to make next years Expo a must attend event for the experienced expediters.
Some thoughts discussed were having Two categories of workshops; one series for experienced expediters and the other series consisting of the tried and true subjects provided at past Expos and workshops.

A new series for inexperienced expediters might consist of topics such as:
Saving money buying fuel and saving on fuel tax management;
Load brokering Pro’s and Con’s;
Tips and Tricks to Making you truck shine and preventive maintenance;
Outfitting a cargo van;
Record keeping such as planning for your future truck and/or maintaining an emergency fund;
Getting Health Insurance;
Your own operation authority Pros and Cons;
Incorporation Pros and Cons.

Additional topics for experienced expediters might be:

Driving Challenge;
Worst load competition;

How about some comments, from forum members, related to this subject. What must Expo 2008 offer that would justify you inking the dates on your calendar for a must attend event? Would any new workshop topics tickle your fancy? Would any trucking show events not previously offered tempt you to join us at Expo 2008? Would more, or less, entertainment encourage you to attend? If so, what suggestions would you offer?

 

[davekc]

I think it was a great time. I also think it is a huge benefit whether new or not to attend. You have listed some great ideas, and it hasn't even been a week.
I know why you want the truck challenge:7









Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[cheri1122]

Well, duuh - you don't get to be the best by resting on your laurels, lol.
Umm, just in case - what exactly is involved in a 'truck challenge'?

 

[greg334]

Sorry but I think creating another thread to ask the same question is some what defeats the purpose of asking the question.

Look... for what it is worth there are a bunch of good ideas in the other thread, we are just having fun but it did not detract from the ideas.

Highway star made the suggestion “A topic we see here from time to time is handling the home front from the road. This might be more of a group discussion with a moderator, as opposed to a lecture type of class.â€

I think this has a lot more validity than a skills challenge – personal opinion. My wife does not understand why I come home and it take me a few days to stop driving and at one time working with Navy personal who were deployed and returning home, understanding the stress that a family goes through.

Thornapple made this suggestion It could be outside and show the new people the right way to secure a load in a cargo van and a straight truck.

Haveing several different people showing there truck with a load or even the way to do it without a load, or with an empty box, would be helpfull to someone new.

There are 50-11 different ways to do it and it might give others an idea of how and why to do it different.

I think this goes to the need to limit the liabilities on the road, and for the company. No where have I seen this outside of a book and video. I bet a lot of people have no clue on how to properly use load bars or how decking can be used.

I made the suggestion “How about a seminar on how to deal with truck stop pan handling people and lot lizards?

Seeing I brought this up, there is an importance about safety and how to deal with some situations. Not saying we need to have a self-defense course but at least know what would be good ideas on how to keep people safe. And Cheri that was my intent to bring this up, personal safety – sorry.

FAMILYEXPDT made the suggestion “How about seminars based on business models and what is a successful business model for an expediter, whether they want to expand or stay solo?â€

Phil, did you do something like this, this year? I would think that the senior editor at large should have presented his articles and have some other suggestions. Other wise I would like to see a lawyer and accountant talk about how to find professionals – just a suggestion.

Raceman made the suggestion “Authority and who it is really good for. I went at getting mine on my own before I got into OOIDA and wow what a difference.

Bottom line: Have OOIDA do some speaking on how they help in this area and others. The provide a drug testing program for me as well through CCMI.

When I first joined them, I saw no benefit. After actually using them and the services, I would not be without them.â€

Well I don’t know about the authority part but one criticism of OOIDA is the lack of presence on forums and at some shows. Maybe I am wrong but were they there?

As for the authority, I think explaining what is involved, have insurance people there to explain their part and maybe someone who sets up authorities as a business.

Now there are a couple comments about food, good ideas teaching people how to use a Forman grill (you would be surprised how many can’t), use a vacuum packing machine and of course the all versatile rice cooker.

 

[LDB]

OOIDA was at the expo in the big 53' rig just outside the front door answering questions and visiting with folks out there.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[greg334]

>OOIDA was at the expo in the big 53' rig just outside the
>front door answering questions and visiting with folks out
>there.

OK, I stand corrected. Thanks Leo.

 

[ATeam]

If the Highway Watch program could be incorporated into or adjacent to the show dates, it would be a reason to come (among the many others, of course).

A block of first aid classes for drivers on the road would also be of interest (to me at least).

 

[greg334]

Phil,
Were you there? Please correct me if I am wrong but I thought you did something on your articles? I wasn't there as usual, so I may be wrong.

 

[ihamner]

Linda, thanks for continuing to work on this issue. Frank and I have discussed it at length. For us to attend the Expo next year will mean giving up our week at the beach in our Timeshare. It has to be something spectacular for us to give that up.

For years we went to Comdex, the computer trade show in Vegas. We both worked in the computer field and it meant giving up a week of vacation plus paying all our own expenses to go. But we wouldn’t think of missing it. These are the three things that would pull us in to the Expo with the same enthusiasm:
1. A fantastic keynote speaker to kick off the Expo. It would need to be either someone who is a real visionary and can inspire us as business owners or a good motivator or even a great entertainer. Bill Gates always had the keynote address at Comdex. We stood in line for up to two hours just to get the free tickets to see Bill Gates keynote address. Since we are now expediters we would want to make getting the free tickets fast and easy – pick them up at the EO booth. LeAnn Rimes sang at a Jeep convention one year. Who would miss that?
2. Each major company should have a breakfast or lunch buffet for its drivers/owner/operators and you would have to have a company ID badge to get in. This would be a time to connect with other people who work for the same company. An upper management person would speak briefly at their gathering. Although we love meeting drivers from other companies and would enjoy that on the floor of the Expo, it would be great to have one on one time with people in our company.
3. Numerous great giveaways as opposed to one big grand prize. The idea of the one grand prize giveaway may better have been spent on numerous small ($100 to $1000) giveaways to allow more people to come away with a nice gift. Companies are willing to donate great gifts in order to be recognized by the public. I’m sure there is an endless list of these giveaways but things like: fuel cards, oil changes, general gift certificates, GPSs, laptops, phone cards, recorders, etc. Even if someone receives a gift they don’t need, they will still come away from the Expo with a gift for someone else and great memories of the Expo.

India Hamner
[font color="purple"] FEDEX [/font][font color="blue"]Custom Critical[/font]
D Unit
Wisdom is what's left after we've run out of personal opinions

 

[ihamner]

By the way, I posted my last note with the understanding that I have never been to the Expo. Perhaps all my ideas are already being done and it just wasn't made known. Certainly I don't mean to criticize at all since I have not been yet.

India Hamner
[font color="purple"] FEDEX [/font][font color="blue"]Custom Critical[/font]
D Unit
Wisdom is what's left after we've run out of personal opinions

 

[ATeam]

>Phil,
>Were you there? Please correct me if I am wrong but I
>thought you did something on your articles? I wasn't there
>as usual, so I may be wrong.

I was not there. As explained in previous posts, Diane and I chose to run instead of attend. We have a truck to pay for. As much as we would love to attend the show, we hate debt more. We missed MATS 2007 for the same reason.

 

[greg334]

Phil,
Sorry to hear that, I may have missed it.

Maybe next year? I think it would be a great thing if you could do a presentation next year.

 

[Doggie Daddy]

My idea is just a small one,but one that I feel would make everyones expo experience a little more member friendly.

On the I.D. necklace that we all wear there appears to be room for one more line of info,and that could be having our screen names added.DD

 

[TeamCaffee]

Screen Names in BOLD letters would be a great addition!

 

[bryan]

Hi

I would like to see something that would help us be healthier.Driver friendly exercises and meals.The cooking seminar sounds good.Free food is always good.

I need tips on how to store food.Some grocery shopping tips would be nice too.I just found out a couple of months ago that they have instant mashed potatoes that don't need butter or milk.

I still find alot of drivers who don't know about the expo.Also some know that there is an expo but they don't know where or when.Maybe a competition between the carriers to see who can get the most drivers to the show.

It was a great show. A big thank you to all that were involved.

 

[terryandrene]

How 'bout a trucker knowledge quiz for bragging rights and a plastic trophy. A few questions on everything like hazmat, geography, HOS, logging, GVWR, etc.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

We forum members could just walk around with little pointy hats....*L*

 

[Doggie Daddy]

>We forum members could just walk around with little pointy
>hats....*L*

OMG Ken I didn't realise that was you on sat,I just thought the circus was in town.DD.

 

[Turtle]

Hooters girls.

 

[cheri1122]

And it was going so well, sigh...
Turtle: that one deserves 'the swat team'!