Thousands of industry professionals gathered at The Work Truck Show 2008 in Atlanta Feb. 26 to 28 to examine and compare the latest developments in work trucks and equipment, explore new hybrid and alternative fuels technology, learn from industry experts and talk with manufacturers — and each other — face to face.

North America’s largest vocational truck event, it is produced annually by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). The Work Truck Show 2008 was held in conjunction with the 44th Annual NTEA Convention at the Georgia World Congress Center.

More than 7,200 people attended the show, including representatives of some of North America’s largest work truck fleets, truck equipment distributors/upfitters, manufacturers and truck dealers. Nearly 90 percent of fleet attendees had final purchasing authority.

A record 538 exhibitors covered more than 450,000-sq.-ft. of display space at the show with trucks, components and accessories.

“The Work Truck Show 2008 was a great success,” said Jim Carney, NTEA executive director. “The size and scope of the show floor, cutting-edge educational sessions and new product and technology launches were unmatched. It is a testament to the effectiveness of the event that demand for exhibit space at the Work Truck Show 2009 is incredibly high. The association is working hard to try to accommodate all the requests for booth space at next year’s show.”

Hundreds of convention attendees kicked off the event by participating in the Hybrid Truck and Alternative Fuels Summit on Feb. 25. Clarence H. “Bud” Albright Jr. under secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, gave an informative keynote address at the summit, followed by presentations from a number of industry leaders, manufacturers and customers.

Other attendees were drawn to two additional special sessions held on Feb. 25.

“Surviving & Thriving: Trends Reshaping the Truck Equipment Industry” covered what’s changing in the industry and how this evolution impacts truck equipment distributors and manufacturers.

“Roll with the Changes: Simplifying Vehicle Certification & Labeling” taught final-stage manufacturers and vehicle alterers how to perform a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Compliance Analysis and determine which label is required for different stages of certification.

The Work Truck Show 2009 will occupy the new West Building at McCormick Place in Chicago from March 4 to 6.

“We are excited to be taking the show to Chicago for the first time,” Carney said. “Chicago is one of the country’s pre-eminent convention cities, and it is located in the heart of the truck equipment industry.”

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