EDMONTON, Alta. – Although two major western Canadian trucking trade shows were cancelled last year, the Alberta Fleet Maintenance Supervisors’ Association (AFMSA) is expanding its own show.

The AFMSA’s Northern Alberta Truck and Maintenance Show is slated for May 6-8 at the Mayfield Inn in Edmonton, Alta. It will combine a series of educational conference sessions as well as a trade show featuring exhibitors from throughout the industry.

This year’s trade show will be bigger than ever, with up to 200 booths on display. The association holds an educational conference every two years, but in the past the trade show represented just a small part of the festivities.

The association’s Mike LeComber says exhibitors have been very supportive of the show – the first of what will become an annual event.

Sponsors to date include: Cummins; Fort Garry Industries; Waterous Detroit Diesel Alison; Tirecraft; Superior Industrial Frictions; Traction; Finning; and dealerships for Sterling, Western Star, Volvo, International and Peterbilt.

Admission to the show is free to the general public, so LeComber is confident there’ll be a good turnout.

“There’s going to be a lot of trucks there and we’re adding an outside display area as well,” says LeComber.

Those who work on the maintenance side of the trucking industry itself may be interested in attending the educational seminars. They kick off Friday, May 7 at 7 a.m. when Ed Tschirhart, Canadian Transportation Equipment Association’s (CTEA’s) director of technical services, is scheduled to give a speech at breakfast.

Sessions, including an engine manufacturers’ panel and a discussion about LED lighting, will follow. Later that morning, Dennis Bell of Alberta Government Inspection Programs will be discussing air brakes and CMVSS 121 compliance.

The educational sessions will continue into the next day.

The morning speaker May 8 is Cliff Williams, chairman of the Board, Apprenticeship and Industrial Training with the Alberta government.

Following his speech, transportation of dangerous goods will be up for discussion as well as truck spec’ing, chassis specifications and weight distribution. Trailers and temperature control are also on the agenda for the morning.

Peter Zongora of Transport Canada is also slated to give a presentation.

LeComber says it’s a good idea to send maintenance staff and apprentices to the sessions to keep up on the latest developments.

Registration for the event is to be held May 6 with a reception featuring a cash bar.

Show hours are: May 6, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; May 7, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

To rent a booth or find out more about the trade show, visit http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cvs1001/afmsa/2004%20TRADESHOW.htm or call AFMSA at 780-458-5608.