My View of the Expo

[mcclain]

Well since I was 'stuck' in Jeffersonville, Ohio Friday night, I decided afterall to take the journey down and take in the whole Expo experience.

I must say, while it was my first, I was impressed. I was impressed by the awesome effort the vendors put into their displays and the attitude of the people working their booths.

I took in the roundtable discussion at 11 AM for recruting and retention and found that informative and yes helpful.

It was nice to see a couple of people I hadn't seen for awhile, (they know who they are) and to mend some fences at the same time.

Earlier in the morning I meet this one guy across the street at McDonalds who was interested in getting into Expediting. Yea, I took the time to talk to him and gave him my sales pitch to come to work 'LONG HAUL' for the company I represent, I did introduce him to one of the recruiters who I trust - so it was good to see a newbie get the straight scoop from someone at the Expo.

Yea, and when I left - man that was some really kick a** music out in the lot.

Ok -enough. But, overall I would give this whole Expo deal a score of 9 out of 10.

(It would have been a 10 but I didn't win the free fuel!)

 

[csands007]

Seems like the attendance was down from last year. Several vendors expected to see was not there. Had a good time. Only disapointment was one booth wanted to talk to, went back to them at around 2:30 pm they were leaving and told me there are brochures on the table.

 

[mcbride]

We thought it was a pretty good turnout considering the current economic conditions. We have been fortunate in that we have been able to attend the Expo every year and usually by only having to dead head a couple hundred miles at the most. It is amazing to see how much this Expo has grown as well as how much Lawrence and Debbie’s children have grown too! It is, without doubt, the recognized event for expediting.

The only suggestion we have is to present awards for the “working truck.” It is just our opinion but truck awards to the sleeper manufacturers and dealerships do not entice people to fluff and buff their trucks and bring them to the show. When we have attended previous shows, we found that many spectators and/or potential newbie’s like to see the insides of “working trucks” and talk to people that are actually in the business while walking around the parking lots.

Thank you Expediters OnLine for your dedication to the expediting industry.

 

[x06col]

Yepper!! Working trucks and working expediters ARE what counts. Not the fluff.

 

[spudhead911]

We thought it was a pretty good turnout considering the current economic conditions. We have been fortunate in that we have been able to attend the Expo every year and usually by only having to dead head a couple hundred miles at the most. It is amazing to see how much this Expo has grown as well as how much Lawrence and Debbie’s children have grown too! It is, without doubt, the recognized event for expediting.

The only suggestion we have is to present awards for the “working truck.” It is just our opinion but truck awards to the sleeper manufacturers and dealerships do not entice people to fluff and buff their trucks and bring them to the show. When we have attended previous shows, we found that many spectators and/or potential newbie’s like to see the insides of “working trucks” and talk to people that are actually in the business while walking around the parking lots.

Thank you Expediters OnLine for your dedication to the expediting industry.

Our new working truck was was at the TSI Western Star booth last year. Bill Moore, owner of TSI, Had asked us if we would show it at the expo. The truck was purchased in late March of 2007, TSI built it for us. We received a number for the truck so people could vote for it, along with the other trucks. Well, when it came time for the vote counting, our truck was disqualified, the reason was that the truck was owned by us and not by a dealer. I ain't bragging, but everyone who saw our truck, and most people who went to the expo did see it, said we had the best looking truck there. After the show we met a few expediters at a truck stop, when we told them what happened, they said it wasn't fair, and all said they had voted for our truck. Our truck was one of only two working trucks that was shown at the expo.

I think they should have two classes, one for show trucks and one for working trucks, or even just allow the working trucks to be voted on at the expo. Another class might be added also, one for stock sleepers. I have an 82" stock sleeper, that looked better than some of the cheap looking, so called custom sleepers there.

The truck that one last year was a Kenworth tractor with a gaint sleeper. The truck could not legally pull a 48ft. trailer, because of the weight, let alone a 53 footer.

When I found out that my truck was disqualified, after the voting, I tried to look for the sponsor, of the contest, but they had folded up thei booth and left. I won't name the insurance company who sponsored the contest, but you guys know who they are. I didn't mind the not winning, it was the disqualification, after people had voted that p#%@&d me off.

 

[x06col]

it's all about the money there spudhead. you shoulda got some booth space, then, you'd be qualified.

 

[spudhead911]

it's all about the money there spudhead. you shoulda got some booth space, then, you'd be qualified.

Your right there, Col., It's always about da money. TSI paid for the booth, they had ordered a truck but it had not arrived in time for the expo. Bill asked me if I would be interested in showing my truck for him. I was compensated for doing it, but I would have done it for free. It just ain't fair Col. To this day it bugs the s**$ out of me. It just ain't fair. My wife, Bill and me worked hard getting the truck all shinned up an lookin' perty. In my perverted mind I think I should have won.