Expo Offers Chance to Learn About Trucking Jobs, As Well As Family Entertainment

by Scott Loftis
(Florence, KY, USA)

As the American economy makes a slow recovery from the recession of 2008-2009, jobs remain hard to come by in some professions.

That’s absolutely not true in the trucking industry, where companies are actively recruiting new drivers to fill a huge shortage behind the wheel.

By the year 2014, a shortage of 111,000 truck drivers is expected nationwide, according to a report prepared for the American Trucking Associations in 2005. In fact, that number might turn out to be conservative.

For prospective drivers who have found themselves unemployed or underemployed as a result of the recession, the trucking industry could be an attractive alternative. Trucking companies are always looking for hard-working dependable drivers to help them get their customers’ freight from Point A to Point B.

An excellent opportunity to learn about potential careers in trucking is coming up July 22 and 23, when the Expedite Expo trucking show and job fair will be held at the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio.

Representatives of trucking companies large and small will be in attendance to meet with potential drivers and answer their questions firsthand, and several driver workshops are scheduled that also should be very informative for individuals who are interested in joining the industry.

In fact, not only does trucking offer the potential for employment with a company, but many drivers who entered the industry that way have gone on to own and operate their own trucks as independent contractors.

The Expedite Expo brings together trucking companies, vendors, truck dealers — every aspect of the industry will be represented.

The Expedite Expo trucking show and job fair is built around the trucking industry, of course, but that doesn’t mean it’s all business. The show also has plenty of fun and games for visitors of all ages.

The show will be held July 22 and 23 at the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, and it features a lineup of entertainment that ranges from live music to casino action.

Live music at the show will include performances by Pure Grain (appearing at 8 p.m. Friday, July 22) and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers (appearing at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23).

The Amazing Portable Circus will also be on hand for continuous shows Friday and Saturday, and members of Jungle Jack Hannah’s troupe will present a program including animals from the Columbus Zoo at 2 p.m. each day in the Panther Booth.

Trucking radio icon Dave Nemo will broadcast live from the show each day.

One of the biggest highlights of the show will come at 1 p.m. Saturday when actor John Ratzenberger will be on hand in Booth 172. Ratzenberger played mailman Cliff Clavin on Cheers and more recently has provided the voice of popular characters in Pixar’s animated movies. Ratzenberger has been involved in every Pixar production, including his role as Mack the Truck in the recently released “Cars 2.”

Also Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Edgar Hansen, one of the stars of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” will be on hand in Booth B-3A. Edgar is the youngest of three Hansen brothers who work aboard the Northwestern, one of five fishing boats featured on the popular series.

Friday night is Casino Night at the Expo. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., attendees can try their hand at blackjack, roulette, craps and Texas Hold’Em. And it’s all free — FunBucks and casino chips will be provided.

Visitors to the show also have a chance to win cash prizes. Each day will feature four $100 cash drawings, and at 4 p.m. each day there will be a $1,000 drawing. Another lucky winner will take home a $1,200 Espar Heater.

Registration, parking and admission are all free at the Expo, so come and join the fun! For more information you can check out www.expediteexpo.com.