A High-Growth Investment Opportunity (That's Free): Expedite Expo 2019

By: Sean M. Lyden - Staff Writer
Posted: Jul 8th 2019

"The best investment you can make is in yourself."

This quote by billionaire investor Warren Buffet captures the essence of why you should consider attending Expedite Expo.

It's an opportunity to invest in yourself and reap an immediate return of new ideas, contacts, and business opportunities.

Launched in 2001, Expedite Expo is the only trade show in the world geared exclusively to the expediting trucking industry. And today, the Expo-which runs July 19 and 20 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, In.- attracts attendees across North America, where they come to learn about the newest trucks, career and business opportunities, and products and services.

And here's the kicker: You gain access to valuable industry education and networking opportunities-for free, the only cost is your time and parking.

So, whether you're a driver, owner-operator, fleet owner, or looking for a new career path, here's what you can expect as you plan your itinerary to get the highest return from your two-day investment.

New Venue
With ongoing construction at the Lexington Convention Center, the Expo has found a new home Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., on July 19 and 20.

The new venue is well positioned to accommodate the Expo's growth with plenty of truck parking, a convenient location off I-69, and numerous dining and entertainment options.

Educational Sessions
8:00 am to 10:00 am both Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20

If you have questions about how to succeed in expedited trucking, chances are you'll find the answers at the Expo. Choose from several workshops taught by industry veterans and experts to get answers to questions like:

How do I get started in expedited trucking? What are the first steps I should take?
What does it take to succeed as an expedite owner-operator or fleet owner?
What are the financing options available to me to purchase a truck?
How can I get more life, better fuel efficiency, and less downtime from my truck?
What are some practical tips to improve how I run my business to save on taxes and keep more of my money?
What are the keys to a good team relationship out on the road?
What are the latest trends in expedited trucking and how will they impact my business?

The idea behind the educational workshops is to enable you to increase your odds of success in this business by tapping into the knowledge and experience of those who have gone before you.

Lunch & Learn Networking Sessions
On the showroom floor at 12:00pm-1:00pm pm both Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20

Besides informal networking at the various events at the Expo, you can attend a more structured networking "roundtables," where you sit with your peers at lunch and discuss topics that will help you to be more successful in your business.

For 60 minutes each day, you'll have an opportunity to make lasting connections with people who speak your language and share your day-to-day challenges. Compare notes, exchange ideas and build relationships that could become valuable to you for years to come.

General Session (Friday): Stay Metrics Driver Retention: Engage, Reward, and Keep Your Best Drivers
Friday, July 19, 10:00 am-11:00 am

Stay Metrics CEO Tim Hindes teams up with John Elliott at Load One to talk about the latest research in driver turnover and retention. Why do drivers leave? Why do they stay? And how are carriers using driver feedback to craft action plans to improve retention?

Hindes and Elliott will dig into the data to provide practical insights that you can apply to your business.

General Session (Saturday): Industry Outlook: The State of Expedited Trucking and What the Future Holds
Saturday, July 20, 10:00 am-11:00 am

What are the key trends to watch in expedited trucking that could impact your business over the next few years? What direction is the expedite market, as a whole, heading? Will it grow, hold steady, or hit economic headwinds? How can you best prepare to capitalize on the opportunities and navigate around the challenges that lie ahead?

Moderator Sean Lyden with ExpeditersOnline.com will ask industry experts John Elliott (Load One), Mike Abood (FedEx Custom Critical), and Ellen Voie (Women In Trucking) to peer into their crystal ball and share what they see.

This will be an engaging roundtable discussion for all stakeholders in the expedited trucking industry-including fleet owners, owner-operators, carriers, and drivers-giving you greater insights into the road ahead to help you make smarter business decisions.

Expo Showroom
11:00 am-3:00 pm both Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20

It can be intimidating trying to research and keep up with the latest developments on trucks, equipment, new software, and important service offerings that impact your business and career--especially when you're spending so much time out on the road.

That's why Expedite Expo brings those products and services to you all in one place--to save you time. It's a forum where you can discover what's available and then focus your time and energy talking with vendors who best meet your needs at that moment.

If you're a driver or owner-operator, the Expo gives you a forum to discover the expedite jobs that best fit your lifestyle and financial goals. The trucking companies at the Expo have over 500 job positions available and are looking for vans, straight trucks, and tractors.

And if you're a fleet owner, the Expo offers you a place to discover and connect with good, qualified drivers who can help expand your fleet.

Casino Night: Sponsored by Team Run Smart
Friday, July 19, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

This event is guaranteed to give you a real casino experience with Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and Texas Hold'em. There's no cost to play, but you have the chance to win from among the thousands of dollars of prizes that will be given out that evening.

"Expediter of the Year" Announcement
Saturday, July 20, at 2:30 pm

The purpose of the Expediter of the Year award is to recognize those hard-working, professional and safety-conscious expediters on the road today who strive to make the expedite industry better and are deeply involved in serving and making a positive impact on their community.

The Winner will receive $500 cash for travel, one-night hotel accommodations provided by ExpeditersOnline.com, and the Expediter of the Year plaque.

Last year's "Expediter of the Year" was Tim Paxton, owner-operator with Barrett DirectLine.

So, who will win this year's award? Find out on Saturday, July 20, at 2:30 pm in the Expo hall.

Cash Giveaways with Ballot for Drivers' Choice Award
Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, 2:30 pm each day

The 2019 Expedite Drivers' Choice Award will recognize the dealer whose truck or cargo van receives the most votes. So, vote for your favorite dealer's truck. And your ballot is also your chance to win a $500 cash prize, with giveaways scheduled for both Friday and Saturday afternoon.

The contest period will be from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Drivers' Choice Award will be presented at 2:30 pm on Saturday, July 20, at the close of the Expo.

The Next Step: Invest in Yourself-for Free
To learn more and register to Expedite Expo for free, visit https://www.expediteexpo.com/.

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Who: Drivers, Owner-Operators, Fleet Owners, Motor Carriers, Industry Professionals
What: Expedite Expo 2019
When: July 19 and 20, 2019
Where: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, In.
Why: Put your expedited trucking career and business into high gear.