Tow Professional Podcast

Industry Events with guest Brian Riker

Darian Weaver

Want to uncover the hidden costs of starting a towing business and avoid common pitfalls? Tune into our latest episode of The Tow Professional Podcast, where industry leaders DJ Harrington and Darian Weaver, along with expert Brian Riker, share invaluable insights. We kick things off with a look ahead at upcoming towing shows in North Carolina, Ohio, and Chattanooga, emphasizing their growth and importance. Brian Riker gives us a sneak peek into his presentations at the Midwest Regional Tow Show, focusing on the nuances of starting a towing business, and participating in the memorial parade. You won't want to miss this wealth of knowledge from a seasoned industry expert.

Our discussion shifts gears as we dive into advocacy within the towing industry. Highlighting key events and speakers at an upcoming industry conference, we cover sessions from Don Schneider of the ESA and DJ Harrington's "Check Up from the Neck Up." Brian Riker, a legislative advocate, sheds light on the critical issue of defending the towing industry against unfair scrutiny and regulation from larger associations. This segment promises to be a powerful forum for strategizing and sharing ideas to protect and benefit the entire industry. 

The episode wraps up with a heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes of the towing world—the dedicated professionals who ensure our roads are safe. We shared our appreciation for their tireless efforts and the contributions of vendors whose technology enhances safety and efficiency. Join us as we chat with Producer Chuck from Three Chord Chaos about their upcoming performance, and Brian Riker discusses the significance of ongoing education and community involvement. Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Midwest Regional Tow Show and the Mid-Atlantic Expo. Let's continue to foster a thriving community built on shared knowledge and collaboration.

Speaker 1:

Welcome one and all to the Toe Professional Podcast. You are there, we are here. This is going to be a good one. This is a podcast for the pros that have a need to know, that are on the go. It is truly the voice of the towing and recovery industry. I'm DJ Harrington, your co-host, better known as the Toe Doctor, and the real host of this program is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, a good friend of the industry, a dear friend of mine, Darren Weaver Darren, how are you this beautiful day?

Speaker 2:

DJ, I am beside myself. It's a beautiful day and it is time to start packing your suitcase because we have some shows coming up from the Midwest Regional show in Ohio by TRAO to the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo to Chattanooga. It's a busy schedule but let me tell you I'm excited about our schedule today and our guest and speaking about the upcoming show.

Speaker 1:

Yes, and our guest is a dear friend of mine. We met many, many years ago when I had brown hair and I had hair. That's how long Brian Riker and I have been friends, so I definitely want to get him on, but I got to have you tell the audience first what show are you going to first. North Carolina is the first one, isn't it?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, first show I'll be heading out to is the Mid-Atlantic Expo that's put on by the towing recovery professionals in North Carolina and DJ. They did a phenomenal job last year. I mean it increased from, I think, 10 booths the prior year to a little over 50 and from around 100 attendees over 800. So if any of our vendors slept on that this year, make sure you sign up. So if any of our vendors slept on that this year, make sure you sign up.

Speaker 2:

And then, right after that, I'm driving up to Ohio, to Wilmington, ohio, and that's one of my favorite shows of the year. It's a family-friendly show. It really embodies the passion of the industry and the heart of the industry. Because it's so family friendly and such a wonderful time of year, you can feel the fall in the air. And the Midwest Regional Show is one of my favorites. So I'll be at that one next and then I'll follow up and head on down to Chattanooga. So, hey, there's plenty of opportunities to see my bald head. And I tell you, I've known Brian Riker and been friends with him since I had a brown goatee I'm not going to say since I had brown hair, but I'll say since I had a brown goatee and awesome man and a encyclopedia of knowledge for the industry. So, hey, I'm happy to have you on today, brian.

Speaker 3:

Thank you Darren, thank you DJ. I'm not deserving of that awesome introduction, but thank you guys. I am happy to be here. You know I love this industry and I love supporting the association-run trade shows and the associations in general.

Speaker 2:

And that's what I'm excited to talk about today is, you know, I understand you're going to have some speaking engagements coming up, and if somebody's missed one of Brian's speaking engagements, guys make sure you stop in. Like I said, tremendous amount of knowledge, and it's only going to help your business run better. He's got some of the keys that you, I'd like to say he's forgot more than I'll ever know about it. So he's a great piece of knowledge when it comes to knowing this industry inside and out. So, brian, tell us what you've got coming up.

Speaker 3:

Oh, I've got a lot coming up, coming up really quick. Here I have the Midwest Regional Toe Show in Wilmington, ohio. Unfortunately it's not at the Great Wolf Lodge anymore as wonderful as that was. They decided to move on in a different direction and the Roberts Center has been gracious hosts last year. I love the little cafe and the area for the band.

Speaker 3:

So I have coming up here on Friday September 13th and Saturday September 14th at the Midwest Regional Tow Show, commonly known as the Ohio Tow Show. I've got two speaking presentations there. I will also be there Thursday night participating with a truck from Worldwide Equipment Sales participating in the memorial parade for the unfortunate souls we have lost in the towing industry. So I'll be there Thursday night participating in that parade. I'll be there the entire weekend. You can find me. If I'm not inside speaking, you can find me somewhere around the Worldwide Equipment Sales booth. We're going to have five or six different trucks that are available for sale on display.

Speaker 3:

But to answer your question about what I'm doing, I am speaking Friday afternoon 1 to 2 pm, buying Yourself a Job Don't Fall Victim to Easy Money and that one we're going to talk about the concept of if it's too good to be true. It probably is. Everybody has to start somewhere. I started with one truck on a shoestring, and so have many of the very successful tow owners I know. But I want you to think about all the hidden costs in starting a business and when you are getting that support. I don't care if the support is coming from a lease truck sponsored by a company that wants you to do some work for them, which some motor clubs do and some auctions do. If it's another tow company that wants you to be an owner operator and they're going to help you buy your own truck, to lease it back and work with them, or if you're going the traditional route of going to the bank or to a equipment finance specialist to buy your truck.

Speaker 3:

We're going to have a discussion about the pros and cons of all these and the pitfalls to it, so that you can learn from the mistakes I made. Because, hey, I have owned several different companies over the years and a handful of them were major failures and I'm not afraid to admit that I've been on the verge of bankruptcy. I've been at a point where I had nothing but a tow truck, no personal car. It was the sacrifices I made to grow what I grew. I want to help you learn from those mistakes. So that is this Friday. How's that sound, darren, you interested in that one?

Speaker 2:

Man, that's fantastic, brother. That is good, I think. I've always said that I think the difference between a two-truck company and a 20-plus truck company is making the right decisions along the way. And, just like in school, where they don't teach you finance and budgeting and buying vehicles and mortgages and credit scores, it's always good to add to your knowledge base because those decisions will affect you in your entire business. You're 100% on that. So tell us about Saturday.

Speaker 3:

Well, saturday, now keep in mind, on Friday, I'm sandwiched in between two awesome speakers on Friday too. Before me, Friday, we have Don Schneider from the ESA, and after me we have the legendary co-host of this podcast, the one, the only the toe doctor himself, dj Harrington, with his check up from the neck up seminar that I have been attending for 30 years and I love it every time man, that's uh.

Speaker 2:

I tell you that's a full day right there. That's some uh. We're gonna have uh full classes. So, folks, you better get there early. That's three good classes back to back. Oh yeah.

Speaker 3:

And uh. So Friday I'll also be participating in the uh Towers Memorial that they will do Friday and uh, whatever the dinner event is. But then on Saturday you can find me at the end of the day. Saturday it's a late afternoon, I understand that, but we put this one last for a reason. I am speaking on Friday, starting at 4 45 pm. I'm not sure exactly how this is gonna turn out, what the format is going to be. It's been proposed as either a panel discussion, a roundtable, or, if nobody else wants to get up there with me, it'll just be me. The facts and nothing but the facts, just like Sergeant Joe.

Speaker 3:

Friday the attack on towing. So what this is in a nutshell, I am speaking as the industry advocate. That I am. Those of you that don't know who I am I am the legislative director for the Pennsylvania Towing Association, formerly their executive director. I am also the lobbyist member and the committee chair, the legislative committee chair for Towing and Recovery Association of America, and I am a lifelong advocate for the underdog. And I am a lifelong advocate for the underdog. I grew up when my parents were fighting the Department of Interior trying to create a national park that would have put us and it did ultimately put us out of business, because my father's truck stop was at the north end of what became a national park and commercial vehicles aren't allowed to drive through a national park. So I learned advocacy when I was five or six years old and it's been a lifelong passion of mine. So I am speaking as a neutral advocate, or moderating a panel as a neutral advocate. So this is an open invitation to anybody with thoughts. This is not a Pennsylvania Towing Association. This is not a TRAO presentation. This is not an APTO presentation. This is not a TRAA presentation. This is not an APTO presentation. This is not a TRAA presentation. This is Brian as an advocate, and we are looking for an open discussion.

Speaker 3:

I'm going to present out the facts as I know them on this. And now keep in mind I'm in Washington DC very often working directly with Tremont Strategies, which is the TRAA lobbyist, and in Harrisburg, on state-level issues for Pennsylvania, working with Schaefer Government Affairs, which is the Pennsylvania lobbyist. So I am in the thick of this. I'm going to present the facts and only the facts. I am not going to present TRAA's approach versus National Open Roads and Safer Highways. Commerce Commission. I apologize for butchering your name guys.

Speaker 3:

I am not going to present their approach, as this is the only way I'm going to present the facts, because both sides have a little bit right. Both sides have a little bit that could improve, and we're going to look for a discussion on what to do about this because, honestly, we do not want the Federal Trade Commission involved in our business. There are a few bad actors in our towing industry. We understand that. I'm going to also break down what our opponents, predominantly the American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association are doing, what their playbook is and what we can do to defend ourselves from it.

Speaker 3:

So this is an open discussion, not a lecture for me, not a here, go home and do this type of thing.

Speaker 3:

This is so we can learn, so that we can bring the best information back to the two national associations that are fighting for you on behalf of this in Washington DC, associations that are fighting for you on behalf of this in Washington DC, and so we can get that discussion going.

Speaker 3:

This should be a good one, but we purposely put it at the end of the day so that, if it doesn't wrap up in the hour we have allotted for it, if there's still good discussion going on, I'll stay till nine o'clock at night. I want to get to the bottom of this and have a fighting chance against companies that the ATRI study American Transportation Research Institute study on predatory towing. They spent one and a half million dollars just creating that study, which is absolute garbage study. But they spent a million and a half dollars creating that study. We don't have a million and a half dollars between all of the state and both federal national towing associations together to fight on this issue. So we are the underdog and I love being the underdog in Champion Forum and I hope you'll join me in this discussion.

Speaker 2:

Well, Brian, I love that. I tell you this is just like you're saying. It's a time to check your egos at the door. Come in and just be part of steel, sharpening steel, great ideas to help the greater benefit of the entire industry and talking through those matters that will help every individual company on a statewide and a national level. So I think that's fantastic. Don't forget, folks Friday 1 to 2, buying yourself a job, and then Saturday 445, it's going to be a panel discussion, roundtable type, and we could certainly need your input on what's affecting your companies, what's bothering you as a tow professional, what's affecting your business, and Brian will have answers for you. If not, he'll find them. Hey, listeners, hang in there with us. We're going to take a quick break and we're going to come back with more from Brian Riker of Worldwide Equipment. Thanks again.

Speaker 5:

Recovery Billing Unlimited is an organization dedicated to teaching fellow towers how to become more profitable for the work they do. Recovery Billing Unlimited can teach you the proper tow business foundation, the proper way of writing acceptable recovery invoices, remediation of the accident scene to free you from future liability, and laws to help you get paid. These are just a few of the things covered when you attend a class from Recovery Billing Unlimited. For class or seminar information, visit recoverybillingunlimitedcom. Recovery Billing Unlimited making towers more profitable.

Speaker 6:

Attention. Tow heroes level up with TowMate's new XR Series Wireless Tow Lights, now supercharged with long-lasting lithium technology. Boost your truck's visibility with PowerLink 2-wire light bars and strobes. Maximize impact while minimizing installation. They utilize your existing wiring and don't miss our lif saver. Cone mounted warning lights your first line of defense on the roadside. Illuminate your path at wwwtowmatecom. Slash dealers or dial 800-680-4455. Towmate dependableendable, durable, dynamic.

Speaker 5:

At Wrecker Rentals, we understand time is money. If your truck is out of service due to a mechanical issue or collision, we offer rentals to keep your business in business while your asset is down. We provide short-term rentals with a three-day minimum and long-term rentals of late model light duty wreckers and rollback tow trucks. We distribute trucks from Atlanta and Dallas to all parts of the southeast and we can have it delivered in as little as 24 hours. For details on how to get your rental delivered ASAP, visit our website at rentareckercom and go to the documents page, or give us a call with any questions you might have at 770-898-1200. That's 770-898-1200. And we look forward to serving you.

Speaker 1:

Welcome back listeners. You know you're listening to the number one podcast, so professional on the go podcast. Every week. We do our best to bring you informative episodes like this one with Brian Riker. Make sure you download and listen. We're available on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher iArt Media, which is the number one podcast in America, stitcher iArt Media, which is the number one podcast in America, amazon or wherever you get your podcasts. So right before the commercial, darren, you were asking Brian a question, a follow-up on where he's speaking.

Speaker 2:

Yes, sir, yes sir, I want to give him an opportunity to talk about where else he's speaking. So, brian, I'm going to let you finish that up. Right after Ohio, where else are you headed, sir?

Speaker 3:

All right, Ohio. I've got about a half a week off and then I am going to be down in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the museum weekend the Wall of the Fallen ceremony, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the fundraiser auction and, of course, the Tennessee Toe Show, which all happens at the same time. I will be there from Thursday, September 26th through the museum breakfast on Sunday, the 29th. I do not speak at the Tennessee show. I go to Tennessee as an attendee and to show my love, passion and honor for this industry. That said, I am very approachable.

Speaker 3:

You probably will find me hanging around the Allstate Roadside booth because you know I speak for them as well, but I am not speaking for them in Tennessee and I would love to continue any of these discussions. Maybe you don't get a chance to see me in Ohio and you want to talk about the FTC junk fee rules? You want to talk about safety in the industry? You just want to sit down and chat about something. I am approachable. Come on up, Say hi. You can always find me. My phone number, my email address is all over the web. I'm easy to find, but I will be at Tennessee as an attendee looking to enjoy the show and network with fellow towers and learn.

Speaker 2:

Awesome brother, Awesome. Well, DJ, I'm going to throw this next one to you because I know you're biting at the bit to get in there.

Speaker 1:

Yes, this is my friend and I have to tell my friend, brian Riker, what we all know him as the DOT guy and he used to do an episode for us called Windshield Wisdom and we had so many of our listeners call into the hotline number and actually say they thoroughly enjoyed Windshield Wisdom with Brian Riker. So the other thing I want to ask him is recently he did a very nice editorial for Worldwide Products. So, brian, could you share with our listeners a little bit about that article that was for Worldwide?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely DJ us a little bit about that article. That was for worldwide, absolutely dj. And yeah, windshield wisdom on a side note was one of my most favorite segments to produce and I am thinking about bringing that back. It's just that anyone who knows me know that no is not in my vocabulary, so I do way too many things, uh, like this editorial. I am the uh.

Speaker 3:

I am the Director of Transportation and Compliance Manager, as well as Product Specialist for worldwide equipment sales, with three locations in Rockdale, illinois, livonia, michigan and Greencastle, pennsylvania. They are one of the largest distributors of Geared-Anne tow equipment Cottrell car haulers, landall trailers and, of course, what this editorial is about, the Hackney body. But I guarantee you you have seen Hackney products, no matter where you are in North America, because they are the leading producer of roll-up beverage body. So the trucks that the beer distributors and the Coke and Pepsi soda distributors use and that we like to repurpose into airbag and environmental recovery trucks and such. So what we did at Worldwide is we have the Commander Series body, which is purpose-built for this. It's available with the roll-up doors or the swing-out doors, depending upon what your preference is for safety space, operating environment you work in, and it has outside tool compartment access, just like a traditional road service truck compartment access. Just like a traditional road service truck. It has a Tommy gate lift gate that has a 15 or 1600 pound capacity to lift up barrels, truck tires, heavy parts. Into the back it has a table that can be used as a workbench or any other configuration you want. So we have this and we title it thinking inside the box Mobile Support and Service Vehicles, because they can help you grow your company and have different offerings and look professional.

Speaker 3:

You're not showing up in a and I'm sorry if I insult anybody, but you're not showing up in a ratted out old school bus or a debilitated ambulance or a pickup truck with not a straight panel on it and its predominant color is Bondo. You're showing up in a professional road service and support vehicle, and so at Worldwide we can upfit these in a variety of ways. Worldwide is also a distributor of the Van Aire product line, which Van Aire is a leading producer. They actually were just purchased by a major welding equipment distributor, but I don't want to get it wrong. I can't remember which one it was, but Van Aire produces a battery-powered electric shop air compressor that can be mounted in this truck so you can go into these neighborhoods when you need to use an air compressor and you don't have that clunky, clunky old gasoline or diesel powered air compressor making all that noise and disturbing people. You have a whisper quiet, battery powered air compressor that can run your tire gun, inflate tires, run air tools. We also have the option to include in this, or even if you want a smaller vehicle like a transit van or a pro master van, we can put this battery system in that lets you mobile charge evs on the road and a whole bunch of other service equipment. Toolboxes are available. We can upfit it with part shelves, storage shelves, whatever you can imagine can be done with this truck to allow you to build a service and support truck mobile repair.

Speaker 3:

Go to where the customers are. I mean, think about how these warehouses are popping up in every cornfield in the country and they have hundreds, if not thousands, of trailers on site. That is an untapped market. I made a fortune with two box trucks that went to a local grocery warehouse and we did the PM service and inspections. I had mechanics that sat at the grocery warehouse almost 24 hours a day. As the drivers came in they had a red tag issue on the trailer, we'd fix it so it could go out, because trailer turn is important. On-site, where they don't have to bring it to your shop, is important for trailer service.

Speaker 3:

You can build a mobile repair garage out of this. We can even upfit this with a safe all traffic commander variable message. Sign it down. In transport position is a normal amber light bar or it stands up and it has arrows and or custom or pre-programmed messages on it so that you can give advance warning the traffic. These are available on Ram or Ford chassis, gas, diesel, two or four wheel drive whatever you need. You can put into one of these to build it for what you want, and with the roll-up doors. The Hackney has a smooth body, so wrapping it in vinyl is a breeze to give it your custom branding and then in 24, 36 months, when you want to get a new one, the vinyl comes off and you've got a brand new truck just about to turn around and increase your residual value on it. So there's a lot you can do with these.

Speaker 1:

Holy moly Folks. That's an upcoming edition of Toad Professional Magazine. Brian, thank you so very much. Our listeners got another word of wisdom there.

Speaker 3:

So, Darren, as I understand, this magazine will be available at the show, right At the Ohio show.

Speaker 2:

Without a doubt, our database, which is made up of owners, will receive their publications. It'll hit hands next week and I'll also have copies of that publication that I'll be passing out at the North Carolina show, the Ohio show and also the Wall of the Fallen and Chattanooga show. So we're going to make sure we get a lot of coverage on this. And, brian, I tell you, like you said, when you think about it also, rather than pulling up with an F-350 or 250 as a service truck, you have with a Hackney body. Everything is locked away and secure inside, away from the elements, and that's what I love about it is they're able to pull up, they don't have to worry about it getting rained on, being out in the elements, somebody taking the stuff out of the back of that truck and it being secured at all times when they're on a lunch break or in a nice place to eat, not able to see the vehicle, it secures it and, like you said, it's a showstopper.

Speaker 2:

You can wrap that thing. You had one that was maroon at the florida show a year ago and it was gorgeous and, uh, the way it's outfitted, like you said, to any aspect the customer needs, which is uh, phenomenal. So, hey, listen, yeah, we're. We're gonna step away for another quick break from our sponsors. Hang in there and we'll be right back with more fantastic information on worldwide products and the upcoming Midwest Regional Show. We'll be right back.

Speaker 5:

Just a quick reminder that selling with Copart is quick and convenient, With B2B interfacing, off-site sales, counter bidding, early towing, more. Copart takes the hassle out of selling your total lost vehicles. Copart sells vehicles on behalf of insurance companies, banks, finance companies, charities, fleet operators and dealers. To find out more, go to copartcom.

Speaker 4:

Towbookcom is the only way to go to manage all the vehicles you tow off the road. The number one platform in the industry, the cloud-based towing software, can handle all your needs Right from your phone, with support day and night. Visit towbookcom and give it a try.

Speaker 5:

For over 50 years, jordan has defined towing and recovery industry standards for performance, reliability and service. Jordan offers an extensive range of light, medium and heavy-duty wreckers, carriers and rotators. Each truck offers superior engineering for strength and stability, reliability and versatility to exceed the expectations of a demanding industry.

Speaker 1:

Welcome back listeners. Of course it's Joe Professor on the Go podcast. This episode, the great Brian Riker, remember to like, review and share everywhere. We can't thank you enough.

Speaker 1:

Over 14,000 listeners, our podcast hotline if you have an industry expert or your association wants to put some information out on the podcast dial 706 409-5603. It rings right here in the podcast center and just leave the message. Dan and I will do our very best to get an industry pro like a Brian Riker on the next podcast for your listening enjoyment. And Brian, I know that this you know the toe show up in Ohio, the Midwest Regional Toe Show is the most family-friendly show. It's at Robert Center, the campground. Last year had so many campers in it. It's BYOB, bring your own business with you. They all mean well, yeah, in case there's some Southern Baptists listening you bring a coupon with you, schmears?

Speaker 1:

What do they do when there's chocolate crackers, and what?

Speaker 2:

are those S'mores?

Speaker 1:

S'mores, s'mores. You bring those with you too, and I know Chuck Camp, our producer, is bringing Stella.

Speaker 2:

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 3:

Mm-hmm, I heard the campsite is almost sold out for the RV slot and the primitive camping. So the camping obviously was a hit last year.

Speaker 2:

So I'm looking forward to it, man. That's good, that's going to be fantastic and that's what makes it fun. And you know, thursday night DJ with the celebration of life that me and yourself and Brian's going to be at. They're having a hog roast after that. So, hey, listen, don't join in the parade and run back to your room. You're going to miss a great meal, but, even better than that, you're going to miss some great time and memories with the fantastic folks of our industry. It's really a great time.

Speaker 2:

Now also, I wanted to remind our listeners don't forget about Friday night very important. We do a uh, tro does a injured drivers fund auction. That's six to nine. Um, also they do, uh, on Saturday, the women of TRO luncheon. You don't want to miss that one. That's that's when I get photos of, and I'm always paid well not to publish them. Then also, we have Saturday Raph Chaos Party Band Night, and that's where they have the taco bar, the band and also karaoke, which was a tremendous hit last year as well. So if you hadn't signed up for it yet, make sure you're there.

Speaker 2:

I'm not going to tell you it's going to be the largest show in industry, but what I can tell you it does is every bit of the funding that goes into. It goes back for legislation in the industry, for safety training, injured driver funds. It goes back to help the association. That's a part of our industry. Let's do what we can as vendors, as attendees, to continue to help keep the lifeblood in our valued industry. And uh, with that dj, I'm going to turn it over to you and uh, let you see if a wonderful uh host has any uh last less comments for us and anything you have left doing that hey, let, hey, let chuck jump in here for a moment.

Speaker 2:

Yes, let's get Chuck in here.

Speaker 5:

Very rare time that I'll jump in but it's my band that's playing Saturday night Three Chord Chaos and Darren and Brian and Wes and DJ are going to be on the stage singing I'm a Tow man to the tune. I'm a Soul man, I'm a tow man to the tune.

Speaker 2:

I'm, I'm soul man, I'm good, but I'm going to bet the house that I'm not going to be singing, because for a singer I'm like a hell of a salesman. I can tell you that.

Speaker 1:

Oh I.

Speaker 3:

I'm looking forward to it. Chuck, whatever you come up with, I I I thought it was your band. I love listening to you. I love listening to you guys perform. It's awesome You're going to be there.

Speaker 2:

These guys are good. They'll give Huey Lewis and the News a run for their money. I'll tell you they've got an awesome sound. Everybody loved it last year.

Speaker 3:

I can see why greater atlanta area so much great music's come out of that area that there's something in the water down there.

Speaker 1:

Exactly exactly, they're trying to fix that um that crown band has nothing over chuck band, believe me lots of money.

Speaker 1:

I was gonna mention your band chaos is playing at the chaos party. Yeah, I want to remind everyone that the pig roast that's going on is sponsored by INA towing network. So, by all means, if you get a chance, you thank gay Rochester and team at INA Towing Network. So, by all means, if you get a chance, you thank Gabe Rochester and his team at INA. And I want to remind everyone the celebration of life. I'm going to be representing Bobby Unruh, linda Unruh's son that passed away, and Eddie Rosa, a friend of mine years ago, and bring a little sign. I'm going to have a picture of Bobby and Bobby's law, all the information, and have that available for celebration of lights and celebration of life that is going on. So, if you have a loved one that passed away in the industry, or even if they had a heart attack and do you want to remember them being in our industry, by all means bring their name, put it on your vehicle and drive into parade with us that Thursday night Awesome.

Speaker 3:

Thank you for honoring people like that Thursday night Awesome. Thank you for honoring people like that, BJ. And yes, I'm looking forward to the hog roast and the celebration of life and something that we can do to remember the sacrifices it takes to make this industry what it is.

Speaker 1:

You got that right, Brian.

Speaker 3:

And.

Speaker 1:

I can't thank you enough.

Speaker 3:

And I agree with our dear friend Darren. So, brian, any words of wisdom. You want to end with us and you should stop doing. That's where these tow shows come in handy, Because the day you stop learning, the day you stop growing, is the day you should stop doing, because you will be more dangerous than anything. So please, come to a show, come to the Midwest Regional Tow Show, come to the Tennessee Show, come learn those of us to get up there and talk about this. We are just sharing our passion for the industry and our love for the people in the industry. We want to help you learn. So again, like Midwest has some great speakers, tennessee there's some great stuff going on. I'll be floating around down there for you to talk to me. I'm going to be at the Tow Summit in October speaking on some high-level management concepts for towing companies. I'll be in Baltimore speaking on safety and management concepts and protecting your business, and there are so many great educators that want nothing in return other than for you to go home and think about what was said, so that you can do something different, do something better tomorrow and come back home to your family, because, at the end of the day, that's what this is all about.

Speaker 3:

Most of the world doesn't appreciate our industry. We're at war with the trucking industry. People think that we are awful but in the end we know what we are. We are public servants with a servant's heart that provide a necessary service. We ask a reasonable return on that investment but at the end of the day we're just here to help and help everybody grow. So we're not your competitor, we're your colleague. When you come to these shows and come break bread, come have a discussion, learn something, share something. You know I take as much away from these shows as I leave at the show just from talking to other towers.

Speaker 3:

So please join us and learn you got Brian.

Speaker 1:

Thank you very much, darren. I'll turn it over to you to do our closing yes, sir.

Speaker 2:

Thank you DJ and Brian. Thank you so much also man, always, like I said, a deep pool of knowledge to wade into with Brian. He's got answers for you and if he doesn't, he'll find them, so make sure you look him up at the shows Again. Like we said, he'll be there Friday at the Midwest Toe Show Regional Toe Show 1 to 2, buying yourself a job Saturday 445, till whenever. Bring your milk and cookies. Panel discussion or round table format. But we need your help, we need your input. It'll make it go a long way. Also just want to thank everyone for their loyal readership. Latest issues coming out. That fantastic article thinking inside the box will be in there from Brian Riker on worldwide equipment hackney body, the commander body, um and format. Make sure you take a look at it, it's a highlight on wheel lifts and recovery equipment. So you'll find what's needed to do your job, to get you out of out of the red and back into black. And keep listening to tow professional on the go podcast.

Speaker 2:

And, as always, dear heavenly father, I ask that you watch over our nation. Keep your hand on it. Keep your hand on our great industry of towing. We thank you for the servant's heart. Our tow professionals have our men and women of towing that go out there with a selfless job and do their work to make sure that our family members come home safe. So, father, we thank you for them. We ask that you prosper them, keep them healthy, keep them safe and increase them for their sacrifice to our beloved industry. And also, father, thank you for every one of our beloved vendors, for their technology, for their forethought in this industry, for their depth of knowledge. We ask that you continue to increase that so they can bring top quality products, safety, technology and service to our industry to keep our beloved tow professionals safe, as always. Thank you, god bless, amen. Until next time, pray for your loved ones, give them a big hug and until next time we'd love to see you.

Speaker 2:

Midwest Regional Tow Show September the 12th through the 15th. September the 12th through the 15th or, if you're out a little bit early, make sure you drop by the Mid-Atlantic Expo and see us in North Carolina. That's September the 5th through the 7th at the Jim Graham Building. Until next time, be safe out there. You.