Expedite Expo 2018
The Expedite Expo has changed over the years and was the major factor in changing our lives fifteen years ago.? We flew into Detroit with a dream and hoping the dream would culminate into a workable plan. The Expo in 2004 was in a tent with a few workshops held inside The Detroiter Truck Stop.? We met with recruiters, truck salesmen, and drivers and we asked a lot of questions.? All of this worked out well as we were independent contractors to our first carrier, FedEx Custom Critical for almost ten years.
After just attending Expedite Expo 2018 I am thinking back to all of the Expo?s we have attended and home much has changed in the past fourteen years.? What has changed is the location of the Expo as the only tent in use is the one covering the Drivers BBQ on Saturday after the event. We are now inside a building where the weather conditions are not a concern. What is the same
Bob Linda Caffee & Rodney Mary Dodd - Thank You
This year there were a lot of workshops to choose from for the new and experienced expediter.? The roundtable discussions gave everyone a chance to network and learn from each other.? This room was packed and many new friendships were created.? To me, the number one thing that we take away from the Expedite Expo is the networking and knowledge we gain from other drivers as well as industry professionals.
A new event this year was the Industry Outlook Panel, moderated by Sean Lyden and the panelists of Ellen Voie, Stu Sutton, and John Elliot.? Two rooms were used and there was a full house.? The hour flew by as they talked about how technology is going to change our future and keeping up with the changes.? How long they predict the freight bubble is going to last and saving for when the freight starts back on a downward slant.? I found the panel to be very interesting and enjoyed hearing their thoughts on the future of expediting.
Freightliner Team Run Smart Sponsored Casino night this year and we really had a great time watching everyone play the games and handing out the prizes.? On Time Media did a fantastic job at gathering the prizes and putting all of the gift cards as well as prizes in decorated bags.? As always, the dealers, as well as the organizer of the game tables, made sure everyone had a lot of fun playing the games.? I hope that is will happen again next year!
At the last minute due to an unforeseen problem, our truck on Monday before the show was asked if we could be in the Landstar booth.? As this was not in our plans we had not done the work we usually have done before we get to Expo.? With the help of a lot of friends, we had the truck polished inside and out and looking good in the Landstar booth.? The sad part was that Texas, our German Shepherd puppy had to go into a kennel during the show. Squeaky the cat stayed in the truck and while he was able to see a lot of people he missed having his people in the truck with him.? I was very surprised though of how many people he let pet him that asked for a tour of the truck. He was a very lonely kitty.
Once again after the Expedite Expo is over we are exhausted as we put everything we had into these few days.? We met very interesting people and learned a lot of tips on how to do things better and a new appreciation of how much we enjoy our business.?
See you next year at Expedite Expo 2019
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee
Saint Louis MO
Expediters since January 2005
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Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;
Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.