Having recently returned from Work Truck Week (WTW), I was reminded about how much the commercial vehicle ecosystem is truly a community. Walking the show floor, having conversations with so many people – from commercial vehicle dealers, to upfitters, to finance providers, to OEMs and many, many more – definitely reiterated how much we’re all in this together. And beyond that thought, it also emphasized the impact of forging relationships because they are at the center of what enables us to build toward a better future in the industry in which we’re all passionate.  

If you didn’t attend WTW, I’d encourage you to find a way to go next year – it’s worth the investment of both your dollars and your time. Beyond WTW, you should also look for other ways to connect with colleagues across the space, such as in-person shows or meetings, as well as virtual ones like the just completed Commercial Vehicle Business Summit. I can tell you I almost always come back from shows with all types of new ideas, and just as importantly, numerous new connections, all of which help me build my “community” and paths toward the future. 

A couple real-life examples that stress the importance of cultivating our commercial vehicle community include Scelzi having one of their enhanced service body trucks in the Ford Pro booth on the show floor in Indianapolis, or Will Brogan’s article about the power of partnerships (and you can read more about both of these in this issue).   

And finally, one more example that truly highlights the uniqueness of the commercial vehicle ecosystem. Even though it may seem a bit counterintuitive, Caleb Pontius from Rockport Commercial Vehicles shared something with me at WTW that definitely resonated. He was talking about a van body manufacturer meeting that occurs on Tuesday every year at Work Truck Week and he specifically mentioned the collaboration that takes place in this meeting, even though it is composed of companies that are competitors throughout the year. They get together to talk about challenges they’re facing and opportunities to do things better. It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone reading here, but connecting with ALL types of people, including competitors, doesn’t happen in other industries – it’s something that makes our industry so different and special. 

Continue to seek out ways to further your connections and build YOUR future.

-Steve