Truck Topics
Expedite Expo 2003: Man, it was hot!
Well, during the first two years of the Expedite Expo, we got rain and lots of it. This year, we experienced partly cloudy to sunny skies on Wednesday, the 13th and Thursday, the 14th, with temperatures around the mid- to upper- 80's.
The occasional breeze that wafted through the big tent sheltering most of the exhibitors was helpful, but wind tunnel-size air movers would have been ideal.
This year's event was different from the 2001 and 2002 shows in a few aspects. First, the Expo was contained within the front auto parking lot in front of the main building of the Detroiter Truck Stop. This still allowed ample room for display, but meant less walking for the attendees.
Most of the exhibitors required only a booth space or two to display their company's services, so they were under the big tent that measured 40ft x 160ft or, in the case of the truck dealerships, were in the shade of smaller tents on the outside of the main display area.
Another difference that was noted by the Expediters Online.com personnel and by some of the expedited carriers as well was the attendance by non-trucking people who were checking out the career possibilities in expediting.
At the EO booth, we had a number of folks who began their conversation with, "So, tell me about this business." It would appear that expediting is attracting renewed interest as a career choice from individuals outside of the transportation industry.
Expedite Expo 2003 and Expediters Online.com have a lot of people to thank for their support, but we have to begin with our sponsors! Without their financial and spiritual backing, this event would never take place and they have demonstrated their faith in this industry and in the value of the Expo itself.
Sponsors of the Expedite Expo 2003 include:
Freightliner of Knoxville Big Rig Owner Magazine O.O.I.D.A Land Line Magazine Alumi-Bunk Corporation Panther II
Our thanks again to these corporate sponsors as well as thanks to Bill Vollenweider and the entire staff of the Detroiter Truck Stop! These folks have not only welcomed us to their fine location for the past three years, but have made our job so much easier with the extra hours and effort they put into staging the Expo. Thanks a million!
We also have to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the exhibitors of the Expedite Expo 2003. Expediters Online.com couldn't present a show dedicated to the expediting industry with their presence and support. They're to be commended for their vision in supporting the only trade show specifically for this industry.
As long as we're passing out the thank you's, we can't forget the reason we're all at the Expo - the attendees. From the experienced expediting owner/operator to the people who attended to check out the emergency freight business for the first time, we thank them for coming to the show. They are the reason we're all there. Thank you!
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Freightliner of Knoxville's "960 Express Cruiser"
Making its world debut at the Expo, this newest expediting truck from Freightliner of Knoxville was definitely a hit among the attendees. Based on the successful Sterling Acterra truck, the highlight of the unit is the integrated roof, 96" sleeper built by Bentz Transport Products. The dealership says that this new sleeper is the first premium fully integral unit offered on a medium duty truck that does not void the original cab warranty.
Keith Bentz, president of Bentz Transport Products, states, "Freightliner of Knoxville had requested that we build this type of sleeper, and with their support, we brought this integrated roof model to the market. The marketplace wanted a stand-up cab, and with this roof cut-out and with the standard Bentz quality built-in, we've answered both calls with one shot."
"Freightliner of Knoxville will be offering this 96" sleeper with refrigerator/freezers, sinks, microwave, inverters and TV. Also, their in-stock units will feature a 48" lower bunk with our "Dyna-bunk" which is a foldout underneath the bed. There are no exposed rivets on the outside of the cab, which gives a very clean appearance. In addition, the cab and sleeper are suspended on an advanced air-ride system."
Jon Mosier, Expediting Truck Specialist at Freightliner of Knoxville tells us, "We've had an absolutely fantastic show - the first day was so busy, we almost couldn't give everyone the attention they deserve. The new "960 Express Cruiser" and the Sprinter with the Phoenix conversion we have displayed here have really attracted a lot of interest and this show is a great opportunity for the expediting community to participate in the excitement."
Rechele Scott, A.S.A.P Express, Inc. Recruiter
"It's a wonderful show, I'm glad we made it! I enjoy seeing all the drivers and networking with the other expediting companies. We came here to look for trucks and drivers; we have a high demand for straight trucks. I think we have five drivers who have returned applications to us here at the show."
Alumi-Bunk
Dan Tilley, Expediting Truck Specialist of Alumi-Bunk of Knoxville says that the exposure from a show like the Expo is a valuable sales tool for his business: "I think our presence at the Expedite Expo is very important because it allows us to talk to the expediters and discover what they want and need in a truck. We also have many of our customers who like to stop by and visit and this is the place to renew those friendships."
He continues: "It usually takes two or three weeks following a truck show before you can determine whether it was successful or not sales wise, but from my past experience, I expect that I will deliver a few trucks in the near future to people I met here at the show."
"Our Freightliner M2's with the Alumi-Bunk 84" and 96" sleepers are our most popular Class 7 expediting trucks at this point, and Alumi-Bunk is also constructing Freightliner FL112's and International 7500's for expediters who desire the Class 8 platforms."
Alumi-Bunk was displaying a variety of models including an International 7400 with an 84" Sleeper, a Freightliner M2 with a 70" Condo a Freightliner M2 with a 96" Condo and a Ford E350 Cargo van with sleeper.
Bill Welch, Express-1
"The show's been great! We've had a lot of visitors to the booth today, but it's hot!"
Driver Roundtable
On both Wednesday and Thursday, Ellen Voie of Trucker Buddy International presented and also moderated a discussion group about conditions within the expediting industry. She says, "The first day's group was composed of expediters who had been leased to different carriers, while the second day's discussion panel was made up of owner/operators who had been with primarily one expedited company."
Ellen continues, "On both days, we had lively, spirited discussions about the drivers' experiences with the different companies. Between the two days, we had around 50-60 drivers participate."
Dave Nemo Radio
One of the true legends in trucking radio, Dave Nemo was in attendance at the Expo for both days, doing live interviews with attendees and exhibitors for his daytime radio program, which is broadcast on the Truckers Channel on XM Satellite Radio. Dave provided a great boost to the Expo, tirelessly promoting the show in the weeks leading up to the event.
Dave's year-round assistance to Expediters Online.com is invaluable and we truly appreciate the job he does in promoting expediting over the airwaves.
Slots
Alumi-Bunk's exhibit was a popular stopping point. The company offered no less that ten "Vegas-style" slot machines for attendees to try. These machines operated on tokens only, which were supplied by Alumi-Bunk. Jackpot winners received a payoff of Alumi-Bunk coupons redeemable for oil changes, tire balances, etc. It was "slots of fun."
Jeff Brown, Panther II Contractor Support and Development
"It's been a wonderful show; well-attended, but it's hot! Can you fix this outdoor air conditioning? We've had a lot of traffic and have passed out hundreds of pamphlets here in the last two days."
XM Giveaway
Expediters Online.com sponsored a drawing for an XM Satellite Radio on each Expo show day. The winners are: Paul Lenart of Ypsilanti, MI and Don Denning of Boardman, OH.
Congratulations to Paul and Don!
Bud Boss
Whenever truck-pulling competitor Gary Collins would fire up the twin-engined "Bud Boss" truck, everyone's head would turn to discover the source of the incredible sound!
Collins, the owner and driver of the Budweiser Boss, has been competing in truck races and tractor pulls for almost 28 years. He takes the Budweiser Boss to seven truck shows, 40 truck stops and other shows across the country every year.
Entertainment
There were two forms of musical background this year. DJ Jack Greschel kept the music flowing and the audience informed with his announcements. This year's Expo also featured the music of Soundquest, a performing/karaoke group sponsored by Freightliner of
Knoxville.
Expediter Pride Truck Image Contest
This truck beauty contest has grown along with the Expedite Expo and is a great opportunity for the expedite trucks (that are sometimes overlooked at the "conventional" truck shows) to strut their stuff.
Cargo Van division
1st Place
Arthur Scott - Menlo Expediting
2nd Place
Patrick Hinnegan - Tri-State Expedited Service, Inc.
3rd Place
David Nykamp - FedEx Custom Critical
Straight Truck division
1st Place
Bill Sturgis - FedEx Custom Critical
2nd Place
Morris - FedEx Custom Critical
3rd Place
Sharon and John Guthmiller - Con-Way Now
The competitors received trophies and prizes that included:
There were some beautiful trucks on display, and Expediters Online.com would like to congratulate all of the competitors for showing "pride in their ride!"
Additional "Thanks":
-We at Expediters Online.com are very grateful for the assistance of our long-time friends, Terry and Rene O'Connell. This couple has been with 
us at every Expo and a few other truck shows as well. They are always a treat to be with, and they help us in whatever task they're asked to do, particularly in the management of the Expediter Pride Truck Image Contest. Thanks to Terry and Rene!
-Thanks as well to the "Mod Squad." Two of the three Open Forum moderators were able to attend the Expo - Rich Moore (RichM) and Tony Celender (Teacel). We can't thank them enough for the work they do in keeping watch over the forums as well as the invaluable advice they give to the forums' visitors.
-A special thanks goes out to Clayton King and his mother, Patricia Smythia. They brought Clayton's new truck to display at the Expo, and the special hand controls and wheelchair lift on his "D" unit caught the attention of many.
Clayton's determination and dedication to driving has been the subject of several stories on Expediters Online.com and it's always a pleasure to see him as well as his mother. They are always ready to help the physically challenged who are interested in a trucking career with advice and helpful tips.
-A very special thanks from Lawrence and the rest of the EO staff to the "Big Guy Upstairs." The Expo had already closed and the tear down process was in the works when the massive power shutdown hit. Although most of the power on the display "floor" came from small generators anyway, the Detroiter went dark for a time.
They were able to regain power for the truck stop itself when their own generator kicked in, and being one of the few fuel stops in the area, they soon had a line of cars seeking to gas up. One account says that the gas line snaked all the way out of their driveway and back over I-75!