Every year at this time, the organizers of the various truck shows across the country are in high gear.

They have their respective venues reserved, hotel rooms booked and are crossing their fingers in hopes of favorable weather conditions.

Some, like the annual Fergus Truck Show, have been drawing truckers and their families out by the thousands year after year.

From the truck pulls to the show’n’shine, this is an event that never fails to entertain one and all.

One of the most recent upstarts is the Ontario Trucking Association’s Truck World – Canada’s largest show.

Held in Toronto every two years, it features row after row of new trucks, engines (a lot of interest there) and just about anything else that goes on a truck.

In the parking lot directly opposite the entrance you can view some of this country’s most impressive rigs.

It takes place Sept. 26-28 at the National Trade Centre (exhibition grounds) and there is plenty of room for parking four to 18 wheels.

The exhibitors at these shows are investing a large portion of their promotion budget to be there. They are banking on you to be there as well. Trucking is your business, you might not be in the market for a new truck but that isn’t the only reason to attend a show. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other truckers and exchange information.

Having attended most of this country’s shows over the past few years, I have learned that many exhibitors don’t judge the success of a show by how much they sold or what their return on investment was.

They often look beyond these monetary gains.

The suppliers who stop and listen to your concerns are often the real winners. The better they understand your problems, the better they can provide solutions.

This is front and centre for the staff of Truck News.

We need to know what we are doing right and what we can improve upon.

I do hope you make the effort to attend shows over the next few months.

The entrance fees are usually very reasonable and most are truly family oriented.

One word of caution – the food is sometimes a little pricey and the quality not exactly outstanding.

Bringing your own lunch can save you considerable discomfort … although the back bacon on a bun at Fergus is certainly a favorite around our office.

See you at the show!

– Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-442-2097.

Add_Italic