What To Expect At Truck World 2026

In this episode, we are joined by Thierry Quagliata, Show Manager of Truck World, to explore what makes Canada’s largest trucking trade show a must-attend industry event. From over 500 exhibitors and global participation to interactive features like live repair demonstrations, ride-and-drive experiences, and more, Thierry shares what attendees can expect at this year’s show in Mississauga.

Whether you’re a fleet operator, driver, or supplier, this episode offers a preview of Truck World 2026 and how to make the most of your visit.

Register for Truck World today using code "INTERNATIONAL" for a free pass.

Transcript

Welcome And Guest Introduction

Jason Cuddy 0:01

And then let me know when I'll kill you in, Mr. Cuddy. I'll do a quick intro, just about the podcast and yourself, and then we'll chat so it all makes sense. Um I think I think we're good otherwise. All right. I am recording in five. Four. Three. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Transportation Exchange Podcast, presented by Russia Truck Science of Canada. I'm your host, Jason Cuddy, and joining us today, we have Terry who is the show manager from the upcoming Truck World. Terry, welcome to the podcast.

SPEAKER_00 0:38

Yes, well, thank you, Jason. Very happy actually to uh join your uh podcast uh today.

Why Truck World Keeps Growing

Jason Cuddy 0:44

Yeah. So we wanted to have you on because for those listening right now, podcast uh the truck world is coming up very soon. Uh so maybe we'd start with, you know, it's been going on for for quite a few years. Obviously, it goes back and forth between uh Toronto and Montreal. So we're we're back in Toronto this year. Um just high level it because it's it's been doing so well. What what do you see as kind of like the the success and in the essential part of Truck World being being so good as it as it has been over the last few years?

SPEAKER_00 1:09

Well, you know, Truck World is like us, it's the largest trade show that we have in Canada, right? So uh and since 2000, that was the first year of the show. Um, so it's been expanding, you know, uh I would say for every every two years. The fact that we're also running the Expo Camp show in Montreal helps. So, you know, we have you know a lot of suppliers and attendees uh attending both shows. So that's uh that's that's that's a great that's a great event. And we uh for for for this year, actually, for the April show, we have uh over 500 exhibitors. Uh we are sold out actually on the on the show floor. We have even a waiting list. We could have expanded even more if we had more space. Um, so that's uh you know that's what Trockwell is about. It's it's like a I will always say it's like a big showroom or or or being in a shopping mall and having you know all those suppliers together uh that you it would be almost impossible to meet you know individually within a year. Um, so that's uh and on top of that, I would say that uh for uh this year we have 11 countries exhibiting with us. So we have you know companies, suppliers, uh not only from Canada, US, but we have you know from Europe, Turkey, Taiwan, uh several Chinese companies exhibiting with us. So uh so there's a lot to see and to discover at this year's show.

Jason Cuddy 2:28

Definitely said it's a huge amount of vendors all on one spot, and it's a great gathering place, you know, obviously for fleets, for owner operators, for drivers and suppliers. It puts everyone in the same spot at the same time. And like you said, with with 500 plus you know vendors there, there's everyone's there, right? The who's who of the industry from from every asset and facet of it is is there. Uh so for 26, I mean, for those who've been before, they kind of get the general theme of of the show. What can they expect and experience uh for this year's event?

What You Will See On Site

The Garage Live Repair Demos

Ride And Drive New Powertrains

SPEAKER_00 2:56

Well, you know, uh for this year, the uh the experience will be uh beside meeting, you know, and connecting and networking with those uh suppliers exhibitors. Uh and like you said, you know, uh we have most major truck manufacturers uh exhibiting in the show. We have but not only like the truck manufacturers, we have also you know the the trailer manufacturers, distributors, um, you know, the the parts and accessories, the the software, the services. So there's a lot to discover on the show floor. On top of that, we have you know uh some features uh and and new features for this uh your event. Um and you know, I'm gonna start with the that new feature, which is the garage. Um so the garage is we're gonna like we're gonna build like uh technically a repair shop, and we're going to have you know uh exhibitors uh making uh demonstrations, we're going to have uh schools involved, like you know, Centennial and Conestoga College. So for uh the new generation attending the show, I would be interested to you know go into that uh type of career jobs, you know, that could be something for for them as well. Um, and for exhibitors, you know, to show to have live demonstrations to see to show how their tools, the equipment works, uh, like I said, in a real situation. So that's that's something you know exciting. Um, we had this event, this feature event at the Expo Camp Montreal show for the last two shows. And if we feel like you know it's something that uh the show needs as well, you know, be part of the event. Yeah.

Jason Cuddy 4:25

Excellent. And I guess another one that's that's kind of always there that people like is the uh like the ride and drive, right? Get a chance to get in some of the newer technologies from the OEMs that maybe haven't hit the showroom floors or the demo floors yet. You guys will have we'll have some of that on site as well.

SPEAKER_00 4:37

Yes, yes, we have uh we're gonna have like at least uh we're still having some companies deciding, but we have about six or seven trucks already. Uh and and not only electric trucks, because it's part of the other event, which is the feature event, which is green tech. Uh, we're gonna have like a truck, so a CNG, we have the new uh Hyundai uh Ex Scient, which is you know hydrogen truck will be there as well. Uh International will have you know a uh a diesel truck that you know it's helps on the fuel economy. So so it's they're gonna be all kinds of trucks for everyone that have the uh AZ driver's license and would like to test drive, you know, in their real situation. So that's uh that's something exciting, yeah.

Green Tech And Smarter Sustainability

Jason Cuddy 5:15

That's excellent. And and like you said, you just touched on there. You can expand a little bit more. Is well one thing I always find interesting about the show, it's a place to come see how fast the technology is changing, right? Especially with the emissions uh we see on the diesel vehicles. So tied to that, obviously, is you know the the growth of the green. And you said you got the green tech, maybe expand on the green tech for the show.

SPEAKER_00 5:32

Yeah, the green tech. So it's it's a pavilion that's a section of the show where we have, you know, uh again, equipment, uh uh, you know, technologies that's helping to be more sustainable for the fleet. Uh and and the uh and the kind of the theme for this year is like um becoming more uh you know uh reducing carbon footprint, but at the same time uh lowering uh operating costs because we feel like the work should both should work together, and and that's that's the uh the main objective. So beside you know uh meeting some suppliers and and we have like you know new uh players coming to the to the show. For example, Tesla is gonna be there with their um with their new uh new truck, you know, and and other companies. We're gonna have the uh a green tech conference and and with with different topics that uh again are gonna address uh what you know fleets are probably experiencing or or trying to move in that direction. Uh like I said, to reduce to reduce operating costs on different ways, uh, not only by you know purchasing electric trucks, but it could be about uh you know circular, uh, you know, more like you know, uh retreating, refurbishing, you know, the uh the the equipment, the parts, etc. Or um, you know, we can have about uh the last smile, you know, the uh you know how to uh to be more uh fuel efficiency on those on those kind of deliveries. Uh yeah, there's gonna be a lot, you know, uh happening during with those conferences on the during the three day of the show. So a lot of things to learn from.

On Floor Education And Conferences

Jason Cuddy 7:06

Yeah. I think you touch on it, right? There's definitely a lot of educational sessions that that tie in with just the exhibition itself. Um, good chance for networking, you know, outside of the ones you mentioned, any other special programs or conferences or or guest speakers that that you know you're excited to see this year.

How To Plan Your Visit

SPEAKER_00 7:22

And and I'm with your attendee badge, you can attend, you know, there's no no cost you know to attend those conferences. It's on the show floor. So you know, you can still you know meet uh your suppliers, your exhibitors, and and walk the show. But if you know if you're interested as well with those conferences, like I said, you can attend. Uh and it's not like in a separate room. We want to keep people on the show floor the maximum of the time during the three day of the show.

Jason Cuddy 7:44

Perfect. Now it makes sense. So for those who haven't been before, um, maybe any kind of advice for the for the first-time visitor, other than just being overwhelmed and bringing really comfy walking shoes.

SPEAKER_00 7:53

Uh yeah, I know. I I would say like probably if they can, you know, to prepare the visit, you know, uh, you know, it depending on what uh equipment product uh technology you're looking for. Uh we have the list of exhibitors online, uh, we're gonna have the mobile app available as well. Um, so you can, you know, you can create your own list of uh exhibitors you don't want to miss on the show floor. Um the second advice is like you know, the the show is on in the five exhibit halls. I would say want the entire show because you know we don't have any beside the green tech, we don't have any specific section for uh you know any specific products. So it's like you know, we have all kinds of products and equipment on the on the show floor. Like, for example, we have truck manufacturers in different halls. So if you want to meet uh everybody, international, uh, you know, Daimler, but if you want to meet also like to see the trucks from Volvo and Mac, you're gonna have to have to to go to the uh different halls. So that's that's important as well. Um and I would say, you know, to uh to to discuss, to connect with those exhibitors, to have ask questions, that that's that's what the show is about. You know, it's it's like meeting people, connecting, networking, learning. That's uh that's you know, and and again, that's this the only place you can do it within three days, uh in in in in one place like this. So yeah.

Dates Location Hat Day And Registration

Jason Cuddy 9:12

Yeah, no, definitely well said. And maybe just for those listening who haven't had a chance to check the website, just reconfirm the dates and the the times of of of the show for this year.

SPEAKER_00 9:19

Yeah, so it's uh from April 16th to the 18th. Uh so the Thursday and Friday, the two first days, it's from uh 10 to 5 p.m. Uh, and the Saturdays from 9 to 4 p.m. It's at the International Center in Mississauga, so very close by the uh the airport, by Pearson Airport. Uh and just to let you know, we have the uh hat day on Saturday. So uh the first uh I would say 2,000 attendees will get a free hat by by attending the show. That could be also something for uh for everyone.

Jason Cuddy 9:50

No, that's good. Good to know. I didn't know about the hat day. So that's great. So you got three days to check it out. Um, definitely a lot of walking, a lot of a lot of visiting, a lot of learning, which is great. It's it's a great event and it's just it's just so massive. Like you said, everyone's in one spot and it's a great chance to, if you're in the industry to catch up with with past friends, past colleagues, customers, um, or even just just to learn what's going on because it's everything's moving so fast, especially on the technology side. So it's a great way to really get up to speed on what's happening in the industry and kind of where the industry is you know projected to go over the next few years.

SPEAKER_00 10:20

Yeah, that's that's exactly it. You know, uh and and if you miss this opportunity this this year, you're gonna have to wait for two years.

Jason Cuddy 10:27

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 10:27

Yeah. So it's yeah.

Jason Cuddy 10:29

Excellent. Well, hey, look, we we appreciate you coming on and sharing with us, you know, an overview of the show, kind of what to look forward to, the different themes that you guys are are running outside of just the exhibitors, so and a date so everyone knows kind of where to go, where to check it out, and hopefully we will definitely see everybody uh at the event. So thank you again for taking the time to join us.

SPEAKER_00 10:45

Yeah, thank you, Jason. Thank you. Enjoy your day.

Jason Cuddy 10:48

Yes, thank you. So for those uh who are looking to go to the show, come see us. Uh Rush Truck Science will also be there, part of the international truck booth um to learn more about the S 13 engine. And if you go register, uh you can get uh free access at truckworld.ca using the code international. And uh thanks again for for watching. Until next time, see you later. Good luck.