Following extensive and careful deliberation, NTEA and its Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Truck Product Conference, given the significant constraints the commercial vehicle technical community is currently facing.
“Truck Product Conference is purposefully designed to connect chassis OEMs with equipment manufacturers and distributors for important technical insights to help the upfitting process,” said NTEA Board Chair Jon Sievert, president, work truck solutions at Douglas Dynamics Inc. “We feel that at this time this goal needs to be accomplished in a way that doesn’t take us away from our businesses given the current state of the industry.”
NTEA prioritizes providing access to resources and information that drive the work truck industry’s productivity and profitability. This year, the association has an opportunity to shift gears—to keep would-be attendees in their own space without interruption and meet their needs in a way that’s more manageable. As much as NTEA would prefer to connect in person, the impact of continuous supply chain delays and disruptions, labor shortages, and various other factors in local regions are placing additional demands on companies, and NTEA wants to support and not disrupt essential business operations.
“As the association for the work truck industry, we know your pain points, challenges, and needs,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president & CEO. “We’re here and we’re listening. And we fully believe this decision, in this moment in time, upholds our unwavering dedication to doing what’s right for you and your businesses.”
NTEA expressed thanks and appreciation of the positive responses and commitments to participate in Truck Product Conference. The association wants to recognize everyone who has contributed to the event, including chassis OEMs and all of those planning to attend, for their continued support and patience over the last few months.
All Truck Product Conference registration fees will be refunded (details are being communicated separately). For registrants who booked hotel rooms, reservations can be cancelled online or by calling 877-525-2427. Cancellations received 72 hours or more prior to arrival will receive a full refund.
What’s next?
While Truck Product Conference will not be transitioned to a fully virtual format, NTEA will be working with OEMs to provide the technical content the industry needs and expects from this event and create an opportunity to get questions answered.
Save the date for the return of Work Truck Week, scheduled March 8-11, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
