Ready for The Work Truck Show? Follow These Step by Step Guide

I used to waste hours online comparing trucks, talking to sales reps, and still walking away unsure.

Was I making the right call? Was I missing a better deal? A better contact?

Then I attended The Work Truck Show.

In just two days, I shook hands with suppliers, saw new equipment up close, and found a truck solution I’d been looking for for over a year.

I know what you’re thinking, Is it worth your time? Will it help your business grow?

This guide will walk you through that decision. You’ll see what’s inside the event, who goes, and what real opportunities are there for companies like yours. By the end, you’ll have a clear answer and a plan to make the most of it.

So, let’s start!

1. Event Details

Let’s start with what this event really is.

The Work Truck Show is one of the largest gatherings in the commercial vehicle space. It’s organized by NTEA, short for The Association for the Work Truck Industry, and it happens every year in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The next show runs from March 4 to 7, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center.

So who is this event for?

You’ll meet:

• Fleet managers
• Upfitters (these are companies that customize or modify trucks)
• Truck body manufacturers
• OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)

It also attracts business owners and teams from:

• Construction
• Logistics and transportation
• Mining
• Agriculture
• Energy
• Retail distribution

Whether you manage five trucks or fifty, this show puts everything in one place.

But, what makes it valuable for your business?

Now you might be asking: What will I get out of it?

Here’s what stood out to me:

• Over 500 exhibitors
• New truck and chassis launches
• Live vehicle upfitting demos
• Fuel and electric vehicle tech
• Direct access to suppliers and manufacturers

There are also special events throughout the week:

• Green Truck Summit: Learn how clean energy is changing fleets
• Ride & Drive: Get behind the wheel of trucks and test new models
• OEM Chassis Update Sessions: Hear updates directly from top manufacturers
• NTEA Annual Meeting: A chance to connect and learn from leaders across industries

This isn’t just another trade show. It’s a working showroom where you can see, compare, and connect.

Next, let’s walk through how to plan your trip so you can get the most from it.

2. Travel and Accommodation Arrangements

So, you’ve decided to go to The Work Truck Show. That’s a smart move. But the experience really starts before you walk into the exhibit hall. Getting your travel and hotel sorted ahead of time will save you stress and money.

I’ve made the mistake of waiting too long before. By the time I booked, most nearby hotels were sold out. I ended up spending more on transportation than I planned, and it made the whole trip feel rushed.

Let’s keep things simple so you can focus on the event itself.

Plan Early

Hotels fill up quickly. With thousands of industry professionals attending each year, the good ones near the Indiana Convention Center don’t stay available for long. If you want to stay within walking distance, and believe me, you do, book your hotel early.

Start by using the official links on WorkTruckWeek.com.

They’ve already secured blocks of rooms with trusted hotels, often at better rates. You’ll avoid third-party booking issues and get peace of mind knowing you’re in the right place.

There’s nothing like being able to head back to your room for a quick break between sessions or drop off brochures before your next meeting. Staying close gives you flexibility. That matters when you’re trying to make the most of a packed schedule.

Travel Tips

Once your hotel is locked in, think about how you’ll get there and move around.

The closest airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND). It’s about a 20-minute drive to the convention center. The route is straightforward, but you’ll still need to plan your local transport.

Here are your options:

• Rent a car if you plan to visit other businesses or suppliers in town
• Use your hotel’s shuttle service, if available
• Book a rideshare like Uber or Lyft
• Or choose a hotel close enough to walk to the venue each day

Personally, I like staying close enough to walk. It saves time, avoids traffic, and keeps my schedule on track.

If you’re attending with your team, consider carpooling or coordinating your arrivals so no one gets left behind.

What to Pack

This show covers a lot of ground. You’ll be walking between booths, attending sessions, networking, and probably checking your phone for schedules and contacts. The right gear can make your experience smoother and more productive.

Here’s what I always bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A portable power bank for your phone
• Business cards or a digital contact-sharing app
• A small notebook or note-taking app
• Light layers because March weather in Indiana can shift quickly

It’s easy to forget small things until you need them. One year I forgot my charger and had to borrow one from a booth. Not ideal, especially when your entire schedule is on your phone.

3. Preparing for the Exhibition

Once your trip is booked, it’s time to think about how you’ll use your time at the show. This isn’t the kind of event where you can just show up and wander.

There’s a lot to see, a lot of ground to cover, and even more opportunities to miss if you don’t come in with a plan.

Let’s break it down.

Register with Purpose

Before you dive into planning your days, make sure you pick the right registration option. Not every badge gives you access to the same things.

Here are the main options:

If you’re trying to improve fleet sustainability, the Green Truck Summit is worth considering. I didn’t go the first year I attended and realized later I missed key info that would’ve saved me months of research.

Now let’s talk about how to focus your time.

Know What You’re Looking For

This part can save you hours.

Ask yourself:

• Are you there to look at new trucks?
• Do you need parts for retrofits?
• Are you comparing different manufacturers?
• Are you looking for software, accessories, or build services?

Once you know your goal, use the Exhibitor List and Floor Plan on the official website to map it out. It’s easy to get distracted once you’re on the floor, so make a short list of booths you can’t afford to miss.

Then, reach out to a few exhibitors ahead of time to set meetings. That small step helped me skip lines and get full attention from reps.

Build a Daily Game Plan

Each day at the show moves fast. It helps to break your time into blocks.

Here’s a simple plan:

• Morning: Walk the floor, see product demos while crowds are smaller
• Midday: Attend breakout sessions, workshops, or chassis update briefings
• Afternoon: Set aside time for deeper conversations or visit the Ride & Drive area
• Evening: Join networking mixers or company events to build new contacts

Every minute counts, especially if you’re trying to compare pricing or build relationships. If you don’t block out time, you’ll end up chasing the clock.

4. On-Site Engagement

Once you’re at The Work Truck Show, it can feel like there’s something happening in every corner. Trucks, tech, tools, and people. Everywhere. That’s why having a plan isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.

Let’s talk about how to make the most of your time on the floor.

Visit the Right Exhibitors

The exhibit hall is massive. If you try to see everything, you’ll burn out by lunch. So focus on what actually matters to your business.

Start by picking a few key categories that align with your goals. For example:

• Chassis and body manufacturers if you’re shopping for new builds or upgrades
• Tool, parts, and accessories providers for maintenance and customization
• Telematics and fleet software to improve tracking, safety, and operations
• Electrification and fuel-efficient solutions if you’re exploring alternatives to diesel
• Financing or leasing partners to help you move forward with purchase plans

If you’re exploring manufacturers at the show, keep in mind what matters most to your operation: flexibility, durability, and support. That’s what we focus on at Rhinotrail, where we build container, dump, utility, and refrigerated trailers for companies across mining, agriculture, and retail.

Attend Learning Sessions

There’s more to the show than trucks. The sessions are packed with info you won’t find online.

Start with the OEM Chassis Updates. These are live updates from brands like Ford, GM, Ram, and Isuzu. You’ll get a look at upcoming specs, model changes, and product improvements straight from the source.

If your business is looking at greener options, the Green Truck Summit is a must. It dives into electric vehicles, clean energy trends, and real-life strategies for fleet sustainability.

Other sessions cover a wide range of topics, such as:

• Compliance and safety
• Fleet performance
• Engineering and truck spec development

If you’ve ever left a trade show wondering what you actually learned, these sessions will change that.

Test Drive at Ride & Drive

Seeing a truck on display is one thing. Driving it? That’s where it gets real.

The Ride & Drive section lets you test commercial vehicles on-site. You can get a feel for different drivetrains like electric, hybrid, and diesel.

Ask the reps questions:

• What do drivers say about the ride?
• How do the fuel costs compare?
• What does maintenance look like after a year on the road?

That kind of feedback is tough to get from a brochure or website.

Make Connections That Matter

Trade shows can feel busy, but some of the most valuable moments happen in casual conversations.

Try opening with a simple question:

“What are most buyers asking you about this year?”

It gets people talking. And more often than not, it leads to useful insights.

Listen for supplier challenges too. If they’re open about what’s hard for them, that can help you during price or delivery negotiations later.

Don’t skip the networking areas either. Coffee breaks, lounges, and evening receptions are great places to meet others in your space without the pressure of a sales pitch.

5. Post-Event Follow-Up

After the final day of The Work Truck Show, you might feel like taking a break. And that’s fair. It’s a packed few days, and your head’s probably full of trucks, tech, and business cards.

But the real value comes after the show. What you do next can turn a good event into long-term gains.

Organize Your Notes

Before everything starts to blur together, take an hour to go through your notes.

Sort them into simple categories:

• Products that caught your eye
• Companies you want to follow up with
• Questions you didn’t get to ask
• Specs, prices, or delivery timelines you need to confirm

You can do this in a notebook, spreadsheet, or even with voice memos. The important thing is to make it easy to reference later.

I’ve skipped this step in the past, thinking I’d remember everything. I didn’t. By the next week, I had mixed up product names and lost track of who I talked to.

A little organization now saves a lot of guessing later.

Send Follow-Up Emails Within 3–5 Days

After you’ve sorted your notes, it’s time to reconnect.

Try to reach out within a few days of the event. That’s when conversations are still fresh for both you and the person you spoke with.

Here’s a simple format to follow:

• Thank them for taking the time to talk
• Mention one specific thing you discussed
• Ask about next steps: a quote, product demo, or follow-up call

These emails don’t need to be long. Just clear, friendly, and direct.

Debrief With Your Team

If you attended with coworkers, or plan to loop in other departments, now’s the time.

Schedule a short debrief to share:

• Contacts and suppliers you connected with
• Any tech or tools that stood out
• Notes from learning sessions
• Budget thoughts and early return-on-investment ideas

Even if you went solo, pulling your insights into a short summary can help when it’s time to make decisions.

Decide Next Steps

Once you’ve reviewed your contacts and insights, ask yourself:

• Do I want a demo of this product?
• Should I request pricing or quotes?
• Is it worth visiting the manufacturer’s facility?
• Do we need to rethink how our fleet is structured?

Take one small step for each lead or idea that felt promising. You don’t need to act on everything at once. Focus on what moves your business forward.

Conclusion

You came here looking for answers. Should you go? Will it be worth it?

Now you know:

• What The Work Truck Show is
• Where it happens and who it’s for
• How to get the most from it
• What to do before, during, and after

It’s more than a trade show. It’s a chance to meet the right people, see new tools, and move your business forward.

Are you ready to take that step?

Start planning today. And if you need help getting there, contact us now.