Work Truck Show offers many education opportunities

The annual Work Truck Show, taking place in Indianapolis in March 2020, features a variety of educational opportunities. On top of the presentations at the show’s Green Truck Summit and its Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference — both happening March 3 — the Work Truck Show offers several concurrent educational sessions.

They are all part of what show organizers, the NTEA — The Association for the Work Truck Industry, call Work Truck Week.

The following are examples of those concurrent educational offerings:

• Spec’ing for Success — March 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Presented by Z-factor Consultation co-founders Gary Hey and Cindi Vangel, this all-day session promises “an in-depth, interactive workshop geared toward identifying correct specification components for many popular commercial vehicle applications.” Separate registration is required as this session, which is limited to 100 participants, isn’t included in any of the Work Truck Show’s registration packages.

• Reinvention Code: Deciphering Timeless Secrets of Disruptive Innovation — March 3, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Presented by Gair Maxwell, an international speak and author, this session will explore “what separated Kodak, Sears and Blockbuster from Apple, Amazon and Netflix, and how to avoid a similar fate.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Vehicle Weight Management: New Tools for Easier Analysis — March 3, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Presented by Jens Hellberg, managing director of TruckScience, Bob Raybuck, the NTEA’s director of technical services, and Steve Spata, the NTEA’s technical assistance director, this session includes case studies that demonstrate “how to assess effects of adding equipment, bodies and trailers, and vehicle cargo management, along with federal Bridge Law implications.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Work Truck Industry Overview — March 3, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Presented by Andrej Divis director of medium and heavy commercial vehicle forecasting with IHS-Markit; and Steve Latin-Kasper, the NTEA’s director of market data and research, the session will look at how U.S. and global economic cycles affect the industry and include a forecast of North American chassis sales. (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Essential Calculations for U.S. and Canadian Vehicle Certification — March 3, 3-4:15 p.m. Presented by Bob Raybuck, the NTEA’s director of technical services, and Steve Spata, the NTEA’s technical assistance director, this session will offer insights into the vehicle certification processes in both countries and include case studies. (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Building Better Vehicle Specs — March 4, 8-9:15 a.m. Presented by George Survant, the NTEA’s senior director of fleet relations, this session will explore “how changing elements in your work truck specifications can be the foundation for future fleet improvements.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Leading People Successfully Through Change — March 4, 8-9:15 a.m. Presented by leadership expert Doug Cartland, this session includes “12 strategies to steer your team through change.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• New Advances in Idle Mitigation — March 4, 8-9:15 a.m. Presented by Shawn Brougham, regional sales manager for Altec, Craig Kemmerling, vice-president of sales with Switch-N-Go, and Tom Stephens, principal transportation systems analyst with Argonne National Laboratory, this session cover potential benefits such as “cost savings, decrease in engine wear and noise, and emissions and greenhouse gas reduction.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Address Your Labor Shortage — March 4, 8-9:15 a.m. Presented by Shawn Kaufman, director of human resources for Riggs Industries  and J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers, this session includes “how harnessing technology can help better target prospective employees and lead to more efficient recruitment efforts.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Weight Distribution — How it Affects Commercial Vehicles — March 4, 8-9:15 a.m. Presented by Z-factor Consultation co-founders Gary Hey and Cindi Vangel, this session “looks at simplifying weight distribution, demonstrating techniques to help improve operational efficiencies.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Fleet Management 101 — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Presented by senior manager Marc Canton and managing director Tony Yankovich of Mercury Associates Inc., this all-day session covers such topics as “maintenance program design and shop operations management; outsourcing and supplier management; performance measurement and benchmarking; managing vehicle total cost of ownership; and fleet replacement.” Separate registration is required as this session, which is limited to 100 participants, isn’t included in any of the Work Truck Show’s registration packages.

• Are You Managing Engine Regen Cycles or Are They Managing You? — March 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Bruce Ottogalli, transportation manager with Suez Water in New Jersey, and an OEM representative to be announced, this session will reveal how experienced fleet operators maintain truck exhaust treatment systems and “how manufacturers are changing the way products are built to mitigate issues.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Are You Running Your Business or is it Running You? — March 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Joe Paulsen, president of Pinnacle Business Solutions Inc., this session discusses how the trademarked Entrepreneurial Operating System can revitalize a company and its leadership. (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Avoiding Common (and Costly) Communication Pitfalls at Work — March 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by leadership expert Doug Cartland, this session includes “18 most common and costly mistakes and eight sure-fire ways to avoid them.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Moving to B20 and Higher Fuel Blends — March 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Moderated by Jennifer Weaver, OEM market development manager with the National Biodiesel Board, this panel discussion will look at “techniques from fleets managing B20 year-round in cool climate zones as well as those moving to higher blends.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Robotics: Delivering Improved Productivity for Small and Mid-Sized Operations — March 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Bryan Peoples, regional sales manager with OTC Daihen Inc., Brad Tiedemann, manufacturing engineering manager with Stellar Industries Inc, and a manufacturer representative, this session will examine “how robots can allow for better quality control, safer work environment and reduced production costs, as well as provide a stronger competitive advantage.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Indiana LTAP Fleet Educational Program — March 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Presented by Darcy Bullock, Director of the Joint Transportation Research Program at Purdue University, Richard Domonkos, program manager with Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program, and Brian McGavic, vice-president of McGavic Outdoor Power, this session examines winter snow removal and de-icing of roads, sidewalks, and office parks. Separate registration is required as this session isn’t included in any of the Work Truck Show’s registration packages.

• Implications of VW Settlement Funding for Commercial Vehicles — March 5, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Jeff Clarke, general counsel and director of regulatory affairs with NGVAmerica, this session includes an update on how states are allocating funds from the settlement “to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions” and “how natural gas vehicles initiatives have benefited.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Understanding Business Valuation and Transactions — March 5, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Eric Stetler, director with Baird Investment Banking, this session “will benefit companies looking to raise capital, evaluate expansions or acquisitions, or become better positioned for an ownership transition.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

• Vehicle Life Cycle Costing — March 5, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Presented by Chris Lyon, director of fleet relations for the NTEA, and George Survant, the NTEA’s senior director of fleet relations, this session covers “the basics of vehicle life cycle costing, including single-vehicle comparison decisions, vehicle class analysis and whole fleet calculations.” (Conference and trade show package required.)

For a complete schedule of Work Truck Show events, visit www.worktruckshow.com/schedule.