In The News

That's a Wrap! A Personal Perspective

That’s a wrap on the 2023 Expedite Expo and Crossroads of America Trucking Show, and what a fun weekend it was! We would be remiss if we did not thank Expediter Services for being our Presenting Sponsor again this year! 

I can’t remember a trucking event that brought so many diverse individuals together to discuss the goings on in and around the expedite and trucking industries being such a good time. From a personal/professional standpoint, it was the most fun I’ve ever had while working a show of such magnitude, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Here are the parts that really stick out as being memorable, and even some highlights that maybe some folks don’t get to see from the outside looking in.

The Welcome BBQ

What a way to kick off the weekend festivities! With Load 1 sponsoring the BBQ dinner, it was a great opportunity for those who haven’t seen each other in a while to reconnect or rekindle connections and conversations of Expos past.

The food was absolutely delicious, and plentiful. The pie display was so breathtaking it made it difficult to ignore the urge to dig in and cut out a slice, or three. Okay, it really wasn’t that difficult. But seeing the folks playing games, gathering around some good grub, and just enjoying the atmosphere, was quite the way to welcome one and all to this year’s event.

The Workshops

Having a front row view of the folks who came in to discuss expedite in the morning workshops was an absolute treat for me. Getting to introduce folks like George Mullan (Mullan Transportation), Don Maxey (Ascent), Jackie Rocha and Mike Barclay (Millennials in Trucking), and Sandy Goche and Stephen Halsted (Landstar) was not only a true delight for me, but also assisted in my own continued development in networking with industry professionals.

For those who attended the morning workshops, the hope is that you left each session with a new-found knowledge regarding something within the expedite or trucking industry that you may not have known before. Look, no one knows everything about everything, so taking some time to glean even one iota of wisdom from the folks who perform in expedite each and every day should be a reward in and of itself.

The Sticky Note Sessions

This year, a new opportunity was added to the education piece that is the Expedite Expo. Introducing the Sticky Note Sessions! Expo attendees were encouraged to write down their questions on a sticky note and then, twice a day, a group of industry professionals was summoned to a stage to address the questions in an open and candid manner.

Big thanks to those who participated in providing their queries. And an even bigger shout out to the following session contributors: Jackie Rocha and Mike Barclay, Sandy Goche and Stephen Halsted, Nick and Jen Marcu (Landstar), Donna Sleasman (DGT), David Withers (Expediter Services), Mary McEwen (Load 1), Steve Eadie (Ascent), Tom Evans (Load 1) and Kathy Easterling (Little Truck Solutions).

The State of the Industry Podcast

Not exactly a new concept in terms of content that’s regularly being provided to the expediting masses, but certainly a newer realm for the Expo. The State of the Industry Podcast, with John Elliott, recorded an on-location episode from the Load 1 exhibitor booth.

It was a fresh discussion with John (Load 1 CEO), getting his immediate reaction and perspective on the Expo, and continuing previous talks on topics relating to the overall transportation industry. Look for that episode to drop very soon!

Casino Night!

Always a big hit, Casino Night (sponsored by Hyfield), did not disappoint. The Incredible Awesome Brothers were… incredibly awesome! And the folks hanging around the games tables had a grand time, as per usual. This was also my first foray into calling the prize-winning numbers! While at times it felt like it would take an eternity to call a winning number, the remaining fact is that the folks who walked away with goodies and prizes enjoyed a wonderful experience. I think it’s fair to say we already can’t wait until the next Casino Night.

The Future of Trucking

Finally, the big discussion of the weekend, the one where most folks turn out to listen to top industry professionals impart their thoughts and feelings regarding the transportation industry. This year’s topic revolved around thoughts on the future of trucking as in: where do we go from here?

The collective knowledge and experience of Mike Coble (Tenstreet), Dave Schaller (North American Council for Freight Efficiency), and John Elliott (immediate past chairman of TCA) allowed for a lively discussion on where trucking currently stands and what type of progress could potentially be expected as we move forward into the unknown. My having the opportunity to share the floor with such industry mainstays was not only an honor but also a pleasure.

Thank you, to one and all, for making this year’s Expedite Expo and Crossroads of America Trucking Show another year of successful networking and fellowship within the industry. I know I spoke with many NEW attendees to this year’s event who are eagerly attempting to break into the industry, their thirst for knowledge and know-how was unquestionably quenched. Which means that there are others out there who are equally thirsty for more.

Stay tuned for information on next year's dates and location!

Until the next Expo!

Brandon Baxter