Truck Topics

Expedite Expo 2004: This show rocked!

Expedite Expo 2004, August 11-12, Detroiter Travel Center, Woodhaven, MI

Decent weather, great attendance and big ticket prizes were just a few of the high points of Expedite Expo 2004.  By all accounts, this fourth annual show was a resounding success, and we would, above all else, like to thank God for his bountiful blessings! 

We have so many people and companies to thank, we hope that we hope that we have included them all.  A show like this is so dependent upon the generosity of many people and we're afraid of leaving someone out.
 
First, let's acknowledge the companies that made this event possible. Without their financial support and spiritual encouragement, the Expedite Expo would be a difficult undertaking.  The expediting community owes these corporate partners a vote of thanks for their financial contributions and support.

These fine sponsors include:

Freightliner of Knoxville
Rigmaster Power Corporation
Big Rig Owner Magazine
FedEx Custom Critical
Tri-State Expedited Service
Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu
Espar of Michigan
Alumi-Bunk Corporation
Panther II Transportation
O.O.I.D.A.
All-Types Expediting and Transportation

Bill Vollenweider, General Manager of the Detroiter Travel Center is, as always, key to the very existence of the Expedite Expo.  His support and guidance of the show over the last four years has been essential to the success of the event and we can't thank him enough for all that he's done for the Expo.

Our thanks also go to his very capable staff - Larry Kaleel, Jim Jacoby, Steve Martin and Bruce Warner.  They help in so many areas, from the construction of the many exhibitor tents to managing our VIP Breakfast to dozens of other tasks.

Of course, we have to extend our undying gratitude to Terry and Rene O'Connell.  This couple has helped us immeasurably over the years, both at our Expo's and at the Mid-America Trucking Show.  Their unflagging energy, good humor and assistance always make a show easier and trouble-free.  Thanks, Terry and Rene, you'll always be part of the EO family!

Thanks go out to two of our other EO Open Forum moderators (Terry O'Connell being one as well) for attending - Rich M and Davekc.  Thanks for your support of the show and the great job you do in moderating our message boards!

A note from the "boardroom":
A few years back, Show Manager Lawrence McCord saw the need for a trucking show devoted to the emergency freight business and began formulating plans to make this type of event a reality.  He felt that because of expediting's position as one of the fastest growing segments of transportation, this industry deserved it's own showcase event - a show where the expediting owner-operators and drivers could network with carrier recruiters, truck dealers and other entities.

Lawrence has always hoped that the event would someday become financially self-sufficient, and after four years of a lot of organizational work and sacrifices, it is finally approaching the point where the Expedite Expo is paying for itself.  Of course, our company, On Time Media, LLC, (the parent company that includes Expedite Expo, Expediters Online.com, Expedite NOW magazine, Expediter News Break, etc.) would like to enjoy the rewards from the efforts in presenting the show, but profit motive has never been the single motivating force behind the Expo.

The primary goal of the Expedite Expo has always been to help secure expediting's rightful place in the freight transportation industry.  It's truly been a labor of love for Lawrence and the Expediters Online staff and it's gratifying to see that the Expo has grown in size and scope because of the expediting community's acceptance of the event.

The Expedite Expo Charity Golf Outing
Sean Masters, Expediters Online's National Sales Manager, was the coordinator for this event on Tuesday, before the Expo's opening day. It was hosted by Expediters Online for the benefit of Trucker Buddy International and the fine work they do.

"First of all," says Sean, "we have to acknowledge our corporate sponsor, Freightliner of Knoxville, for their generous contributions to this event. Thanks go out as well to Ellen Voie for her coordination efforts for the outing as well as Trucker Buddy's donation of the excellent prizes."  

"We were very pleased with this year's level of participation in this charity event and we're looking forward to an even larger event next year."

"We had 65 golfers in this outing and the players seemed to have a good time.  We have to thank Wesburn Country Club for their great facility and for their help in putting on this function."   

Environment
The weather for this fourth annual Expo was possibly the best we've ever experienced.  The Trucker Buddy golf outing on Tuesday experienced heavy cloud cover but the event remained dry (except for the beverages consumed).

Though at times it was overcast and rain threatened, we saw no precipitation and we enjoyed moderate temperatures in the 60's and low 70's throughout Wednesday and Thursday.  The winds were typical for the area, ranging from a light breeze to strong gusts that put some exhibitors' displays at risk.

Terry O'Connell - "The level of attendance seems to be up this year with a lot more drivers who have come in for the show.  There are  good crowds at many of the exhibitors' booths and a lot of people who are looking into a career in expediting.

"Rene and I are always happy to come to the Expo and help out the EO staff and to see some of our friends from the road." 

Show manager Lawrence McCord says, "We feel that, judging by the advance registration and by the crowd numbers, this was our best- attended Expo  At an open event such as this, with no main entrance or method of "counting heads", we are limited to estimating attendee levels.  Our estimates indicate that we had better numbers than ever before and we're grateful to the people that were able to make it by the Detroiter and visit the show!"

A note from the Expediters Online booth:
There was a noticeable change in the visitors we met at the EO booth this year.  In years past, the majority of the folks who dropped by were working expediters who were either familiar with the web site or who were curious about just what it was that we do.

This year's visitors were primarily people who were researching the business for themselves or family members.  They came from a wide variety of occupations, most of them not related to trucking.  They had been investigating the expediting business on the Internet and in the pages of Expedite NOW and they wanted to avail themselves of the opportunity to talk to the carrier's recruiters at the show.

Seminars
Lawrence says that he was especially pleased with the attendance of this year's seminars/workshops.  "In keeping with our Expo's theme of "Learn, Explore, Discover", we had a full schedule of informational meetings that ranged from an introduction to expediting to growing a fleet.  Virtually every seminar was presented to a full house, with upwards of 40 attendees packing the Detroiter's theater area for each session."

Jim and Nora Bell of Landstar Express America displayed their 960 Express Cruiser in the their company's booth. This was their first Expo and they tell us that the show was, "Very impressive. It's focused on our industry and it's good for expediting."

The Expo owes a debt of gratitude to all of the seminar speakers for a job very well done!  These folks were willing to share their time and expertise with their audience, and the attendance indicates that there is a real desire for hard facts and information by both prospective and current owner-operators and drivers.

Special thanks to:

John Mueller, Premium Transportation Logistics
Heath Wood, Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu
Ellen Voie, Trucker Buddy International
Curtis Morton, Transport Insurance Agency
Jon Mosier, Freightliner of Knoxville
Joe Manley, DJ Trucking

Ellen Voie, Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International and veteran speaker on trucking matters, conducted a roundtable discussion on Driver Retention.  She says, "One of the interesting responses to a general question - 'Do you think you can make more money with another carrier?' - every driver said yes, but they all stay with their current carriers for different reasons."

"I think that this demonstrates that carriers should understand that money is not always the key to retention; it's how the driver is treated and if the carrier shows the driver a degree of respect."

Ellen says that other areas covered included driver/dispatcher relationships and how those relationships require understanding and compromise from both sides.  She also noted that her roundtable participants tended to defend their companies' policies and that the owner-operators/drivers' dissatisfaction of recent years has been tempered with an improved business picture and more freight.

Terry O'Connell - "The level of attendance seems to be up this year with a lot more drivers who have come in for the show.  There are  good crowds at many of the exhibitors' booths and a lot of people who are looking into a career in expediting.

"Rene and I are always happy to come to the Expo and help out the EO staff and to see some of our friends from the road." 

Recruiting
Drew Balfanz, Recruiting for All-Types Expediting and Transportation - "We're recruiting all sizes of trucks.  I know for a fact that, through this show, we've got 6-10 drivers coming on board and I'm sure there will be a residual effect with drivers who now have our literature.  We keep hearing drivers say that they're not getting the work.  Well, we've got the work and we're keeping our drivers fed and happy!"

Adam Walter, Recruiting Manager, Panther II - "We've seen a lot of people coming through and there's a lot of interest in expediting.  We've spent some time with them and we give them the information that they're looking for."

"We're looking primarily for straight trucks and tractors because there is such a strong demand for the larger trucks."

"All indications are that the third and fourth quarters are going to be real strong.  From everything we've heard, 2005 will be just as strong and we expect to continue our fleet growth."

Rich Moore, FedEx Custom Critical contractor - "The show is a lot of fun and we've seen a lot of great people.  Mary and I will possibly be retiring soon - our truck is getting old, we're getting old and at this point in our lives, we don't want to go into a huge amount of debt (for a new straight truck)."

"If our company allows us a year or two more on our present truck or if they allow us to sign on a cargo van, we might stay in the business."

"We've been doing this since 1987, and I've got over two million road miles now.  I think expediting is going to continue to grow.  Whenever I'm in this neck of the woods, I see more companies and more and more trucks.  I think the business is there."

Rick Franks, Recruiting Manager, FedEx Custom Critical - "I think the best we can predict is for the fall quarter - it's supposed to be a fantastic fall.  After December is anybody's guess."

"We need straight trucks and tractors, that's what the customers are asking for.  Our White Glove business has been very solid even during the (previous) downturn and we're looking to expand that division.  We've seen an increase in all of the White Glove areas, particularly in our TEMP-ASSURE services, especially in the pharmaceutical business."

"This is a great show.  I like the informal nature of the show and the intimate manner that it provides for interaction.  We've met a lot of great people and we've rubbed elbows with a lot of great contractors.  We're proud to be a part of it all."

Darlene Krohn, Recruiting Supervisor, Con-Way NOW - "We're expecting rapid growth, especially with our new Lease/Purchase program which we hope to have in place within a few weeks."

Lori Blaney, HR and Business Development, Con-Way NOW - "Things are great at Con-Way NOW and business is booming!  That's why we're doing some of these creative programs to help drivers enter the business, like our Lease/Purchase program and our CDL training program.  We will have programs with two truck dealers in place very soon."

"We recently held our first Open House in Ann Arbor and it was very successful. We're planning our next event in October."

Ray Lawrence, Espar of Michigan - "This is our third year participating in the Expediters Expo and this year was the best yet!  Today's professional drivers are facing a crisis situation with these high fuel cost and no-idle legislation and we have the answer for no-idle comfort for Cargo Vans, Straight Trucks and Tractors." 

"We must have talked to hundreds of expediters at the Espar of Michigan booth who are looking for solutions to combat the high cost of fuel and engine idling."

"Espar of Michigan has a goal to save the Expediting Owner/Operators over $500,000.00 this year by installing products like the Espar
Airtonic 2 or the Rigmasterpower Generator."

"To find out more, call me at 800 837-3900!"
 

Mark Heiges, Recruiting Director, Bolt Express - "The show was fantastic!  We always look forward to coming to the Detroiter and the Expo because it's such great exposure for our company.  Expediting is continuing to grow with many smalller companies adding trucks and more companies seeing the value of expediting their freight."

"We're looking for 22 foot straight trucks and tractors because the customers are shipping larger quantities of freight.  We'll always have a need for the cargo vans, but the market presently demands larger truck sizes."

  
Expediter Pride Truck Beauty Show

What can you say?  Great looking rides and some serious prizes!

This year's competition was managed and judged by personnel from the National Association of Show Trucks (N.A.S.T.) and this year's winners were fine representatives of their companies and the industry.

This year's truck competition featured over $10,000.00 dollars in prizes and the winners were very happy expediters indeed!  Special thanks are in order for Brad Bisaillon and Rigmaster Power Corporation for their donation of the Best of Show top prize (straight trucks and tractors competed together for the Best of Show award) - a Rigmaster Power Generator RP-104 truck generator worth over $7,200.00!  This includes free installation by Espar of Michigan.

Bob Worthington, Panther II contractor - "I've never had a chance to attend any of the previous Expo's, but now that I've been here, I'll make it a point to attend the next one!" 

"The show was phenomenal!  I was able to talk to the guy at the XM booth and he helped me out with my radio, I stopped by and worked out an issue with my company and I saw some old friends from the road I haven't seen in a long time.  I was very impressed!"

Speaking of Espar of Michigan, they put up the prize for the top cargo van - an Espar fuel-fired cab heater worth over $1,100.00 and included installation. Thanks to Ray Lawrence of Espar of Michigan for the great prize!

And, the winners are:

Lighted Class Division

1st Place -  Ed and Michelle King - Panther II Transportation
2nd Place - Billie Johnson and Amy Richardson - FedEx CC
3rd Place - Dave Corfman - Panther II Transportation

Best Interior

1st Place - Billie Johnson and Amy Richardson - FedEx CC
2nd Place - Ed and Michelle King - Panther II Transportation
3rd Place - Art Smith - P J Smith

Tractor Division

1st Place - Ed and Michelle King - Panther II Transportation
Won:  XM Radio & Oil Change compliments of Mobil Delvac and The Detroiter Truck Stop

Cargo Van Division

1st Place -  Art Smith - P J Smith
Won:   Espar Heater compliments of Espar of Michigan

2nd Place - Rene O'Connell - FedEx CC
Won:  XM Radio

Straight Truck Division

1st Place - Billie Johnson and Amy Richardson - FedEx CC
Won:  Pair of Front Steer Tires from Bridgestone/ Firestone Tires

2nd Place - Jim and Norah Bell - Landstar Express America
Won:  XM Radio and Oil Change compliments of Mobil Delvac and The Detroiter Truck Stop

3rd Place - Dave Corfman - Panther II Transportation
Won:  Oil Change compliments of Mobil Delvac and The Detroiter Truck Stop

4th Place - Jack Jackson - FedEx CC
Won:  $50 Gift Certificate from Best Buy - Compliments of Leyman Lift Gate

Best of Show

Billie Johnson and Amy Richardson - FedEx CC
Won:  RigMaster Power Generator

Congratulations to all of the Expediter Pride contestants and Best of Show winners Billie and Amy!  
 

Rich Balaban, Detroit - "I saw the billboard for this show and I wanted to stop by to check out this business.  I drove a big truck back in the mid-90's and I've wanted to get out on the road again." 

"I've talked to some of these recruiters and took a look at some of the expediter trucks. I'm glad you had this Expo because I've had a lot of my questions answered."

Expediting truck dealers

This year's event featured five of the top expediting-specific truck dealers including:

Alumi-Bunk Corporation
Freightliner of Knoxville
Fyda Freightliner of Columbus
Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu
TSI/Western Star

The truck displays are always a popular destination for the event attendees and the dealers reported heavy traffic at their booths. 

Fyda Freightliner was exhibiting two stretched Class 8 Freightliners and Tony Apollonio of the dealership says, "A great turnout, great organization, everything is wonderful!  This is something we're going to do on an annual basis."

"I see quite a bit of growth and activity in the industry. We receive quite a few inquiries at our dealership from people looking into expediting.  I think we're going to have good, stable growth over the next six to twelve months."

Jon Mosier of Freightliner of Knoxville - "This is absolutely fantastic!  We had a little bit of threatening weather yesterday (Wednesday), but it didn't keep anybody away.  We had our hands full at the Freightliner of Knoxville booth showing the 960 Express Cruiser and the Sprinter van with the 60" sleeper."

"We literally did not have time to talk to everybody that we wanted to talk to because we were so busy.  It's going to be exciting next week when we get back to the office and talk to all of those folks we met here. We sold two of our show trucks here, so it's been a very successful Expo for us!"

The Expediter Pride Truck Beauty Show was giving away some great prizes for its entrants, but Bill Moore of TSI/Western Star had a particularly nice gift for anyone who registered in the drawing at his booth - a Webasto truck heater, with a value of over $1,200.00!
Bill also had what turned out to be the Best of Show truck displayed in his booth! 

Alumi-Bunk Corporation had display trucks in the Panther II and FedEx Custom Critical booths.  Heath Wood of Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu showcased his King Leisure straight truck with AA Sleeper.

Joey Holiday
We were extremely proud to present Joey Holiday at this year's Expo.  Because of conflicting schedules, Joey was unable to perform at our previous shows, but this year, the fates intervened, and we were able to secure the services of this unique trucking music singer/songwriter/entertainer!

Joey, his wife, Vicky and his brother, Tommy travel in a custom-painted tractor that pulls a custom-built trailer and Joey performs at trucking shows and other events across the country.  This tired crew pulled into the Detroiter Tuesday evening after a long haul from their previous date in Reno, NV, but they were up and at 'em the next morning.

Joey is a consummate entertainer who plays music about the road, playing both his own compositions and those of other music stars.  He performs an admirable job as a master of ceremonies as well (along with brother Tommy) and kept the Expo audience informed with a string of show announcements.

Thanks again to Joey, Vicky and Tommy for their hard work and professionalism.  We hope to have them back!

William Gilmore, Ft. Wayne, IN - "I was a victim of my company's downsizing and I'm looking for a new field.  I've researched this business along with a few others and the idea of the independent contractor basis of this business is appealing to me.  This show has so many expediting companies in one place it makes it easy to get information all at once."

Dave Nemo
This man's name can be found on a regular basis on the pages of Expediters Online.com.  This was Dave's third Expo appearance and it's difficult to adequately express our appreciation for his dedication to not only the Expo, but his support of the expediting industry as well.

This trucking radio legend is the only source of information about the emergency freight business that one can find on the "air waves" and  we're grateful for his interest in expediting and the people in it.  We owe him a debt of gratitude for his continued presentation of our radio program, "Expediter News Break", his tireless efforts to promote the Expedite Expo and his live reports and interviews from the show.

Dave Nemo is a true friend of this industry and we'd like to say thanks to this veteran broadcaster for his efforts on behalf of expediting.

Debbie McCord, Assistant Show Manager, says, "Even though this event is a lot of work and many, many hours of preparation, when you see all of the familiar faces there, happy, successful exhibitors and people discovering the expediting business, it makes it all very worthwhile!"

"With the White Knight monster truck rides, the Bud Boss show truck and the carnival food vendors, this year's show had a 'fun' feel to it.
We got to see lots of old friends and acquaintances, and we enjoyed making new friends at these shows."

"You know, even with all the hard work that goes into the Expo, at the end of the show on Thursday, we're just a little sad that it's over."

Associate Editor Lee Kurtzmann contributed to this article.