TORONTO, Ont. – Truckers in the east and in the west had the opportunity to see what’s new in the trucking industry this fall, with two major truck shows being held in rapid succession.

Truck World was held Sept. 26-28 at the National Trade Centre in Toronto while the B.C. Trucking Association hosted Truxpo in Abbottsford just one week later.

Truck World featured the DuPont Show and Shine (with roughly 100 entries) and was held in conjunction with the National Truck Maintenance and Technology Seminar.

There were also some information sessions held throughout Sept. 27 and 28, giving truckers an opportunity to learn more about the new Hours-of-Service, weights and dimensions, deadly distractions and more.

John Cucci of Burlington, Ont. won a 2003 Chevy Avalanche at the show, while Terry Scriver of Magna Transportation took home a trip for two to anywhere in Canada.

The Ontario Trucking Association organized the event, but as Truck News went to press, the attendance numbers still weren’t available.

Truxpo, on the other hand, announced an attendance of more than 10,500 guests over the course of the show, held at the Tradex Centre in Abbottsford Oct. 3-5.

BCTA president, Paul Landry, says the association was very pleased with the show, which was nearly sold out.

“It’s been a bad couple of years for the trucking industry,” says Landry. “I think it’s fair to say that many of the suppliers to the industry have had a tough go of it so I’m absolutely delighted with the support we’ve had.”

The VIP night traffic was slightly higher than usual, he noted, and he was pleased with the turnout the rest of the week as well.

“Given the relatively soft situation we’ve had, I think there’s been a great turnout and a great show,” says Landry.

Truck World will once again be held in Toronto in 2004, while Truxpo will take place next year in Edmonton, Alta., hosted by the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

If you couldn’t make it to the shows this year, see pages 25-49 for all the details.