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Educate Yourself at the Expedite Expo
The 2022 Expedite Expo starts next week, July 15th and 16th, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is going to be the 21st year for the Expo, the premier gathering opportunity for those who reside in the expedite niche of the transportation industry. It’s a terrific opportunity to network, learn, and grow within yourself and within the trucking world. Our workshops this year are sponsored by Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions.
Friday Kicks It Off
Friday, July 15th, is the first full day of the Expedite Expo and it starts with some great tidbits on becoming a Sprinter van owner operator. Sprint Your Way into the Biz when you join Donna and Robert Chambers. At the same time, you’ll find Carol and Joe Shelton of R2R Trucking. They’ll be discussing How to be a Successful Fleet Owner. You never know what you’re going to pick-up from someone who has something to share about their experience, so these are great opportunities to listen and learn from those who are living the expedite life.
You’ll have a chance to Ask the Experts, as Mel Cheshire, Vince Louque, and Eric & Kayla Bindner, from Panther, will share their experiences and answer your questions about expedite driving and what there is to know. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from the tax professionals of Trucker Tax Service. Join CEO and Founder Jim O’Donnell, along with VP of Finance Jim Yergens, as they’ll ask Are You Managing Your OTR Trucking Business Properly?  Whether you’re a seasoned trucking vet, or a newbie on the scene, you’ll learn how to tackle proper tax planning and management from the perspective of being a 1099 independent contractor.
Which also opens discussions with Kelsea Eckert from the Law Offices of Eckert & Associates, P.A. and Jeremy Kincaid of the Kincaid Insurance Group. They’ll be discussing How to Keep Insurance Costs Down and Best Protect Your Business. Come to the Expo ready to take notes and absorb all there is to take-in from the perspectives of those who are doing it on a daily basis.
Friday Night Fun!
What’s a day of schooling if you can’t fit a break for fun and festivities in-between? Friday evening begins with the fan favorite Casino Night, sponsored by Hyfield Trucking. Not only will this be your chance to cut loose and decompress from the day’s lessons and tutorials, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to mingle and network with others in the industry.
And when you’re done rubbing shoulders from one gaming table to the next, head to the Casino Night After Party (also sponsored by Hyfield Trucking) to round out the night with some Vegas style sounds from DJ’s DJ J Bray and Michael Toast!
Saturday’s Schooling
Day two of the 2022 Expedite Expo begins off with a panel discussion revolving around Women Driving Ownership. Join Jackie Rocha of Millennials in Trucking, Donna Sleasman from DGT, and Kristy Perry of Perry Dice Express as they'll host an All-Woman Panel Q&A session for anyone with questions about driving, ownership, and anything else female trucking related.
Plus, Allen Paxton of Paxton Xpedited Services, and Del Beal of Beal Express will address What You Need to Know About Expediting in a Van. These panel discussions are excellent grounds for learning more about proper time and sleep management, freight lanes, and tricks and tips on pay, insurance, and taxes. You’re also invited to listen to John Lalonde of Buckeye Western Star as he’ll give you the Straight Talk on Buying a Truck. John will discuss budgetary concerns, financing options and how to find the specific truck that will best suit your expedite needs.
Want to figure out How to Become a Successful Owner Operator in a Straight Truck? Learn from Sandy Goche and Stephen Halsted and find out if you’re ready to take the plunge into owner operatorship when you hear from folks who are actually living the dream of being their own boss.
You certainly won’t want to miss the State of the Trucking Industry discussion panel. Join John Elliott of Load One, Ellen Voie of Women in Trucking, and Marilyn Surber from Tenstreet as they’ll discuss all the issues that face the transportation industry. Whether you’re an owner operator, fleet owner, or driver, this panel will delve deep into the best ways to prepare for your trucking future and how to navigate the challenges that inevitably lie ahead for all of us.
All the Rest
Nestled inside this two-day expo of education are other hidden gems you’ll want to try and make time for. There will be myriad trucking companies in exhibition as they’re actively recruiting for drivers and owner operators, take in a session at the Networking Roundtables, and introduce yourself to the other players in the expedite game. Round out your visit at the ExpeditersOnline.com Drivers’ BBQ, sponsored by Tri-State Expedited Service, because what’s a weekend of education without a belly full of barbecued meat?!
Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the expedite industry, learn from others, or pass on what you know to someone else. It’s all in the name of progressive education and industry knowledge. The more you know!