As a fleet manager, staying informed about the latest developments in the industry is essential. Attending Work Truck Week, held annually in Indianapolis, is a great way to do that. But what can you expect to gain from attending? And why is this a must-attend event for new fleet managers and industry veterans?

Work Truck Week is an annual event for the commercial vehicle industry produced by NTEA – The Work Truck Association. The event's history goes all the way back to 1965, when it started as a sales and marketing conference.

After several iterations and growth, The Work Truck Show was launched in 2001. As the event expanded over the next 20 years, NTEA called the entire week of activities “Work Truck Week.” North America’s largest work truck event takes over the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis from March 5-8, 2024.

And the change continues, with the event debuting a new tagline, More Than a Trade Show™, this year.  

According to Steve Carey, NTEA president & CEO, the idea behind the new tagline came from listening to how attendees describe the event and everything that makes Work Truck Week unique.

“For some fleet managers, the biggest draw will be exploring new products from more than 500 exhibiting companies in the large exhibit hall. Others may get the most value out of the industry-specific educational sessions. Many managers of small fleets appreciate the opportunity Work Truck Week Ride & Drive gives them to experience commercial vehicles with the latest advanced fuel, technology, and sustainability offerings they otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to drive themselves. And for those fleet managers focused on vehicle productivity and efficiency, Green Truck Summit is a must-attend conference,” Carey said.

What’s New at Work Truck Week?

The basic structure of Work Truck Week 2024 is unchanged. The most significant updates are in education, where new sessions have been added, and others have been changed in response to the needs of the commercial vehicle industry.

“For example, because the industry is experiencing a generational shift where many of the most tenured and experienced people are beginning to retire, we updated our full-day program Getting Started in Fleet Management,” Carey noted. “This session will help those new to the role learn the crucial elements of managing a fleet, such as managing vehicle total cost of ownership, shop operations, outsourcing, performance measurement, and more. We also added a new program, Advanced Principles of Fleet Management, for those a little further in their careers.”

Fleet managers today know that finding and retaining employees is one of the biggest challenges across the industry.

“NTEA has added free programming to help address the issue. Our new Workforce Development Sessions are free to all Work Truck Week attendees,” Carey noted.

These programs cover:

• Exploring Ways to Maximize Your Talent Pipeline

• Empowering the Next Generation: Community Collaboration Opportunities

• Exploring Careers in Commercial Vehicles

Green Truck Summit

Green Truck Summit on March 5 includes a morning full of general sessions, kicking off with a keynote address from Mary Aufdemberg, general manager of product strategy and market development for Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).

Other general sessions include:

• Fueling the Future: Fleet Perspectives on Advanced Fuel Solutions: Fleet leaders from DTE Energy, Cobb County, Georgia, and Bimbo Bakeries USA share their experiences and lessons learned across a variety of applications and fuel types so attendees can learn from their successes and challenges in identifying and implementing vehicle propulsion systems that meet their operational needs.

• Chassis OEMs’ Vision for Advanced Vehicle and Fuel Technology: Representatives from GM Envolve, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, and Navistar explore what’s on the horizon in the next five years and highlight the innovations, trends, and technologies that will shape the commercial vehicle industry.

• Advanced Fuels: Global Market Trends: Tim Campbell, managing director of Campbell’s Consultancy, provides a global perspective on advanced fuel solutions and potential effects on the North American market.

Abundant Exhibit Floor Space

The exhibit floor at Work Truck Week is where the industry comes alive. With over 500,000 square feet of space, you'll find hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services, from vehicle manufacturers and upfitters to software providers and equipment suppliers.

Fleet managers can network with other professionals, discuss challenges and goals with industry experts, and explore cutting-edge solutions to boost your fleet's efficiency, productivity, and safety.

The Future of Work Trucks

The commercial vehicle industry is complex, and with changes in regulations, advanced fuels, electrification, and other technology, it is only getting more complicated.

“Fleet professionals often don’t know where to get the information they need to make informed decisions about specifying, deploying, and maintaining commercial vehicles built in multiple stages,” Carey said. “Work Truck Week is the one place they can go that provides access to the entire commercial vehicle ecosystem live and in person. It features the latest chassis, bodies, components, and equipment from leading manufacturers across the industry.”

Most manufacturers bring their technical experts to the event so attendees can get their questions answered and discuss challenges face-to-face. Fleet managers can drive many of the latest vehicles with advanced fuels and technology.

“Only at Work Truck Week do 15 leading chassis OEMs provide updates on their latest designs, body and equipment installations, and share insights into their future vehicle plans. While most of Work Truck Week is focused on vehicles, equipment, and technology available now, Green Truck Summit is all about what’s happening in the future, exploring where the industry is moving and how we are getting there,” Carey added.