Tow Professional Podcast
Tow Professional Podcast
Towing Industry Shows 2025: Your Inside Guide
Looking for a game-changing year in the towing industry? The key might be which shows you attend in 2025.
DJ Harrington ("The Tow Doctor") and Darian Weaver (President of Tow Professional Magazine) deliver an essential guide to the three cornerstone towing events that every professional should mark on their calendar. Their conversation reveals why these gatherings function as both vital business opportunities and heartwarming industry reunions.
The Florida Tow Show (April 10-12) kicks off the year with nearly 1,000 vendors showcasing the latest innovations. The hosts share insider tips about the Women's Luncheon that consistently sells out its 200 seats and the Hino truck raffle that transforms businesses with just a $10 ticket. Meanwhile, the rapidly expanding Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo (September 4-6) demonstrates remarkable growth from just 10 vendors a few years ago to over 70 exhibitors and 800+ attendees now. For family-friendly networking, nothing beats the Midwest Regional Show (September 25-27), returning to the beloved Great Wolf Lodge with its indoor waterpark and legendary evening light displays.
Beyond dates and locations, this episode delivers practical wisdom about maximizing your show experience. "Don't eat lunch with the guy you rode up with," DJ advises. "Break bread with someone you don't know, and watch how much you learn about our industry." Vendors receive equally valuable guidance about booth etiquette—with hilarious examples of what not to do (sunglasses while reading newspapers, anyone?).
Threading throughout the conversation is the hosts' shared belief in prayer, goal-setting, and strong community values. As they put it: "You've got to set your goals, but at the same time, if you don't pray on your goals, it's not going to happen."
Whether you're a towing veteran or new to the industry, this episode offers both practical information and inspiring perspective on building relationships that transcend business. Make 2025 your best year yet by planning your show attendance now!
Welcome one and all to Toe Professional Podcast. This is your podcast. It's for the pros that have a need to know that are on the go. This is truly the voice of the towing and recovery industry. I'm DJ Harrington, the co-host, better known as the Toe Doctor, and the real main host of the show is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, a good friend of the industry and a dear friend of mine, darren Weaver. Darren, how are you this beautiful day here?
Speaker 2:Well, dj, I tell you I'm much better than I have been For the last two and a half weeks. I felt like death eating a cracker. It's been a nice dose of COVID-19 with a side of pneumonia. I had that for a week and a half and then we followed that up with the flu A and strep. So it's been a smorgasbord of uh then of sickness down here. But uh, today's a brighter day. I was supposed to be at hill day this this week and uh, representing alabama, and I hate I was not able to make it because of the sickness. But let me tell you I'm feeling much better today, dj. Next week I'm going to be in Tallahassee at the Capitol covering the Slowdown Moveover event they're doing with Ronnie Myers Racing. So, hey, only sunny and brighter skies to come. So, feeling much better, even though my voice sounds like I've been eating gravel and gargling whiskey. So happy to be here today.
Speaker 1:One of your southern expressions. You are so much. I told our producer, chuck Camp. I said here's the poor guy you know, he's had pneumonia, he's been sick, he's been laid up and now we're going to do a podcast together. So all of our listeners out there, I can't thank you enough for tuning in and listening to the podcast Now, darren, from the last go-round, we have like 20,000 listeners.
Speaker 2:Man. It is something else, dj. I tell you to be the only publisher in the industry with a podcast and have some other podcasts out there that are just phenomenal, but to have these type numbers is unbelievable and it speaks well for our sponsors, gives them a lot of value and it's done a great deal for our listeners. We've had some tremendous feedback. A lot of people just absolutely enjoy the format and, hey, let me tell you, they know, without a doubt, the voice of the industry, dj Harrington. They hear that voice at the toe shows, they hear it anywhere. They know that's the podcast voice over there.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, it's been phenomenal, it's been a blessing from God what God has done with the numbers and it just shows you you put him first in your life. You set your goals, just like the upcoming editorial you wrote in the upcoming issue of so Professional Fuel for Thought. Dj writes a phenomenal editorial about goals and let me tell you, listeners, when you set them, even if you come short, the air goes a lot further than it would if you didn't set any. So we're just a testament of what can happen when you set your goals and you put your sights on God.
Speaker 1:Yes, and it's true, You've got to set your goals, but at the same time, if you don't pray on your goals, it's not going to happen. And I think even Tiger Woods, the professional golher he always saw the ball going in the hole before he even reached back and tapped it.
Speaker 1:And I think us that are in the business, that are believers, prayer has a lot to do with it, and my dad, who was vice president of Bethlehem Steel, always talked about prayer, providence and perseverance, and I think you and I, my friends, do that. We stand for the flag and kneel for the cross, and it's going to be that way. So, Darren, I'm going to turn it over to you, because you're talking about something that's real dear to your heart.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, you're talking about something that's real dear to your heart.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, Shows.
Speaker 2:Yes, I tell you, dj, you know we're headed into the busy season and you know that when you know the Florida Toe Show is coming up, and let me tell you that's one that always kicks the year off. It's a great start to the year and that one's coming up for our listeners April 10th through the the 12th. If you hadn't got your hotel, you're backing up, you need to go ahead and get that started. And this is a show. Thursday 12 to 5 is their the registration at night at six o'clock. They have what we've always seen over many, many years since I've been in the market 14 years is the Jordan kickoff party and, uh, they have great foods, uh, and cold, cold beer for everyone and drinks. And then Friday you've got your show starting and that's nine to six, um, and then they follow that up with the Miller street party and then Saturday is the uh, as we'll say, one of the top days for the show. That's nine to 6, because they have the Women's Lushen 1130 to 130.
Speaker 2:And, dj, you bragged on that for many years. I tell you, ruth and her crew does a phenomenal job on it. This year it's at the Sable A, b and C Lounge and then they do the Little Towersers event 9 to 12 on Saturday. So that's a show that's always got something for everybody and it's always a great show to kick the year off and you'll see many of the advertisers that are in the publication will be at that show and they've got some trusted products you'll want to stop by and see. Let me ask you this DJ Any comments for you on the show?
Speaker 1:Yes, I know one thing Ruthie's Women's. There's seating for 200. So I want to remind all of you that if it was me going to the show, first of all pre-register so you don't have to stand in long lines. Everything's free except the Women's Toe Show. It's sponsored by AAA, but the show you just go where they're selling t-shirts and so forth and you can buy a ticket. The first 200 women get in. But it is such Ruthie does such a great job that, darren, it's worth every nickel.
Speaker 1:They give away so many door prizes oh yeah you can't bring any little people 21 or above, because this alcohol and so it's really something, and a lot of alcohol is given away as gifts, so you got to be 21 and above to get it. So when you go there, you go to Frank and buy a ticket to the Hindo. That's $10 ticket. You know the guy who won it last year. They bought two tickets, one on Friday, one on and they won the truck.
Speaker 2:Yes, and that's huge. You know, hino gives the PWF a truck every year and then Miller puts a carrier bed on there and that thing is auctioned off every year and, like you said, dj, one or two tickets, that's all it takes to win it and it's something that can change your business and the benefits for buying the tickets goes back and it helps with legislation, it helps with training, goes into many great things. So if you're there, make sure you get a ticket. It could change your life.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and a lot of our good friends. You know I have to share Jordan, of course does the big event on Thursday night and they're one of our sponsors. But I have to tell all our listeners I think the most famous of all is Toe Book. When Toe Book advertised in the magazine, of course they advertised in the magazine and they advertised on the podcast. So when you went down there you could not get near their booth. Oh man.
Speaker 2:They do such a great job and they bring a crowd in.
Speaker 1:Oh, it was phenomenal Wow.
Speaker 2:And they generally have a popcorn machine and everything else. So it's a good time at their booth. I tell you, dj, and also I've seen, you know, at the Florida Tow Show there's a lot of educational programs they have going on, from Allstate doing a program on luxury towing, to our friend Jim Shellhoss that's doing it with Ranger SST that's doing an education on PPI, to parking management with Ranger SST that's doing an education on PPI, to parking management. You've got Ed Morales doing one on Florida Lean and Tidal Workshop. You've got Allstate doing on Increase your Towing Skills. So there's a lot of education, a lot of training, a lot of things happening at that show.
Speaker 2:And that's one, guys, if you hadn't put on your calendar whether you're an owner that wants to go down there and see what the latest products are and and get things for your, for your business, or whether you're a a driver and you just want to attend and see what a show like this is, like, this is the one you don't want to miss. So, with saying that that's april 10th through the 12th, floridatowshowcom is where you can find out more information, dj, let's do this. Let's go take a quick commercial and let's come back and tell our listeners about more great things that are coming up on the calendar this year, in 2025. We'll be right back. You hang in there.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. You know you're listening to the number one show, tow Professional On the Go podcast. We do our best every week to bring you great information like this one right now. Remember, we're available on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia, amazon or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, aaron, before I turn it over to you, I wanted to make a note to all our listeners. A lot of you are in cold weather right now. A lot of you have snow. A lot of you is really low, low. When you come to the Florida Toe Show, april 10th through the 12th, here's some things you need to bring Suntan lotion, simple shoes, sunglasses, big hats or, if you don't have a ball cap, go buy Jordan and they'll give you one. By all means, think of it. And I know one thing, darren, I want to pass it over to you, because you got a great show that you really love in the Carolinas.
Speaker 2:Man. Let me tell you, dj, last year I made this an adventure I'll call it Darren's Tommy Boy Trip and that's when I did the North Carolina show, which is the Mid-Atlantic Toe Expo, and then I went up to West Virginia, did the Hatfield-McCoy Trails and then I went on up to Ohio and did the Midwest Regional Show. So it was an absolute Tommy Boy event. It was an absolute Tommy boy event and, thank all the everything, I pray on the Lord that I don't have to do that trip again. They've spaced them out a little bit this year, so this is going to be enjoyable for everybody. And let me tell you, there should be no excuses to miss this show. I remember I think it was three years ago, dj they said that show was maybe 10 vendors and 100 attendees and let me tell you, last year it was probably over 800 plus attendees. There was, I want to say, 70 plus exhibitors at the show in Raleigh, north Carolina Gorgeous place and it's held at the Jim Graham building and that's right in the fairgrounds. And, dj, there's all kind of stuff happening around it. There's hotels that are closed. In addition to that, there's different events happening in that same parking lot. There was actually a monster truck show going on while this event was going on as well. So there's a lot to do, and if there's something that the wife wants to do, the wife and the kids can go off and check out the muster trucks while you're still shopping.
Speaker 2:But this show this year is going to be September 4th through the 6th in Raleigh, north Carolina, and let me tell you, bring your shorts to that one too. It's going to be beautiful weather. Bring your sunscreen, a hat, and it's an absolute great time. Now they do a two-day indoor show, so it's indoor, the beauty contest is inside, they have a silent auction and they do a reverse raffle. That was something else, dj. I think they auctioned off the reverse raffle for $10,000. And so that was something very exciting there and there was, like I said, a lot of vendors and they had training and education as well.
Speaker 2:So the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo this is one that you're not going to miss. For this year and years to go forward, this is growing into a fantastic show. Great food there, great place, hotels close by. So it's a phenomenal show. And again, that's September 4th through the 6th, and if you want more information about it, you can email them directly at TRPMC. So, just like Towing Recovery Professionals of North Carolina, trpmc at nctowingorg, and they'll get you the information packets over, you can give them a call directly at 919-921-8194 and get your booth today or find out about your hotel and get all that squared away. But let me tell you, dj, this is a great one and, if you get a chance, it's like I said, beautiful town, beautiful area and great people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you loved it and I know listeners, you know, if you know Darren, he came back. He bragged about that show on and on and how big it got and how wonderful it is and it was. And I think, see, all of these shows we're talking about today, they're like family reunions. Why don't? You go and meet fellow Towers of your state, and everybody should belong to their state association. Let's talk about that too. It's vital you belong to Alabama. If you belong to the Carolinas, you need to belong to the state association also.
Speaker 2:Yeah, dj, I tell you a lot of times. You know what you hear in the industry as well. You know what am I going to get for my membership, where does this go and what is my money going to. But when you look back and you look across the plain and you see what they're doing with legislation, what they're doing with bringing training in and other things. There's a lot of things that your dollars go towards. Also, a lot of these associations are members of the Survivor Fund, so it helps also with funding that for lost drivers. So there's a lot of great things it goes into. But I think the biggest thing is safety and training. And if you can be at these shows, all you're doing is putting the money back into the associations and giving them the ability to reinvest it in the community. So, yeah, these are great shows. Every one of them are association shows and every one of them does a lot with legislation. I know North Carolina has been at Hill Day, has had the Hill Day represented every single year. The TRAA has done that to make sure they're there. I think Florida has as well, as well as the Midwest Regional for Ohio. They've always had a representative there on the Hill. So those are three associations that are leading out front, working on legislation and putting some top-quality shows together. So, dj, I tell you I think we need to do this.
Speaker 2:Maybe step off to another commercial and we'll come back and we'll talk about one of my favorite shows of all Now. I love the Florida show. It's a great show to start the year, but one I've enjoyed for many, many years the Midwest Regional. So when we get back we'll talk about it. But listeners, if you haven't wrote it down yet, make sure you're at Florida. Don't miss the Mid-Atlantic Toe Show that's in Raleigh, north Carolina, september the 4th through the 6th. And when we come back we're going to talk about the greatest family toe show ever the Midwest Regional. Hang in there and we'll be right back. Family tow show ever the Midwest Regional Hang in there and we'll be right back.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. You know you're listening to the number one podcast and I can't thank you enough, folks for telling your friends about it the Toad Professional On-The-Go Podcast. We've really been blessed. Please remember to like, review and share everywhere. That's the reason why it's gone so big. If you want to hear somebody on the podcast, a professional industry person, by all means dial the hotline number at the podcast center 706-409-5603. And associations If you want to leave a message and let us know something that your association is going through that you would like to be put on the podcast, dial the hotline number and Darren and I will do our very best to get it, not only in the magazine but to get it on the podcast and get her out there. So, darren, I'm going to turn it over to you so you can talk about what I call and you call, the most family-friendly show of the year.
Speaker 2:Let me tell you this is a great show and I've enjoyed it. When I first got in the industry 14 years ago, dj, it was always at the Great Wolf Lodge and let me tell you, it's always been phenomenal. It's a water park. They've got a water park there at the lodge. They've got all kind of things to do inside. It's a family-friendly environment and it's such a big facility environment and it's such a a big facility. Um, bruce always does a. They always do a tremendous job with your uh, beauty contest.
Speaker 2:You have a ton of companies that come from, um, all over the the midwest, uh, and throughout up north, down south, to come there for that show. So, uh, this one is coming up and it's uh, it's going to be here. Before you know it, folks, it's September the 25th through the 27th. So we got some space between it and Mid-Atlantic, but there's no excuse not to be at both. And this one again, September 25th through the 27th. And guess what, everybody, it's back at the Great Wolf Lodge. I know it was gone for two years from there. That's all in the past. Everybody's been saying, hey, we want it back there, we'll be there. Here it is, it's going to be back there. Let me tell you, thursday through Saturday Thursday is your first day the golf outing is back. That's sponsored by, if I'm correct, dj. It's sponsored by Sandy. That always offers the golf carts and everything for everybody.
Speaker 2:As everyone knows, the Midwest Regional always has live demos. They do seminars, the light show is phenomenal there at the Great Wolf Lodge when you're able to stand up on the balcony and look over and see it. Tremendous beauty contest. And, of course, they always do the Safety Fashion Show, which is an absolute hoot, and they never let me in there with a camera because they're afraid they're going to get put in the magazine. That is a great event and let me tell you, if you want more about this, it's MidwestToeShoworg. You can get in there. You can get the information, sign up, get your booth and start planning now, because this is a great show. And Bruce and the association they do a phenomenal job with this. And DJ, I'm going to let you talk about it. I know this is your favorite show as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this is my favorite family show. Well, yeah, this is my favorite family show and, of course, going back to the Great Wolf Lodge enhances the value of everyone going. But you know, darren, I have to share. You know this is this episode of what we're doing on. This podcast is about the shows and the networking. But I want to tell you, and I think you'll concur with me, when you go to these shows, there's so much training available and so many great lessons to be learned.
Speaker 1:But you learn so much from fellow towers when you're breaking bread with them, when you're enjoying a meal, when you're enjoying an adult beverage with them out in the field. This is we learn more from each other. I remember the last, when we were up at the Midwest Regional last year. Darren and I are sitting together out in the back and we learned more those three days from fellow towers. We just opened up here. This is what I'm doing. This guy had a challenge. This is what they're doing. So, yeah, you learn in the seminars, you learn from the classes, you learn from every one of the exhibitors. I call it the Is of existence, but it's an aisle of training. So you learn from everybody and we learn from each other. So when you go to these shows, don't eat lunch with the guy you rode up with, break bread with someone you don't know, and watch how much you learn about our industry. Do you concur with me, darren?
Speaker 2:You concur 100%, dj. And, like you said, you know you did an article on this in the past. You know too many times companies look at these shows over the broad escape and they say, look, these things are expensive. We get there and our results aren't always this or that. Dj wrote an article about this.
Speaker 2:Pay attention to how you work the show Sales 101. Is your booth approachable? Are you eating a sandwich in your booth? And a lot of folks will laugh, but I'm telling you, if you've got a sandwich in your face in the middle of a booth, a handful of nachos, you're sitting there working on that. You're not approachable.
Speaker 2:Most people will walk on by. If you've got your head down in your booth and you're answering a text mail, or you're on the computer and you're looking down, you're not looking up, people will just walk past you rather than stop and inquire about the product. I've been in sales since I was 15 years old well, actually 14, and I can tell you, even looking for vendors, I will walk past if you're not paying any attention. So when you're at these shows, use good adequate too, to make sure that it's the most successful show you can have. The intent is if you have to eat. Step away from the booth. Go somewhere to eat. Come back to the booth. Don't do it in the booth. If you've got a text, mail, email or something to do, handle that from off the show floor and not in front of your intended audience, because it can make people walk past you or make you not feel approachable. What would you say, dj?
Speaker 1:Hey Darren. You remember when I said hey Darren, come with me, I've got to show you this guy's booth and all of you. They had sunglasses on, yep, sunglasses on and they were reading a paper with sunglasses on, yep, sunglasses on and they were reading a paper with sunglasses on. You've got to be kidding me.
Speaker 2:Might as well, hung a sign that said close for business.
Speaker 1:We're done and we were into our sunglasses and Darren goes. Well, I can see they didn't read your article. Yeah.
Speaker 2:I tell you, you know I've seen so many shows we've been to and you have some folks that you know I even have people that I compete with in the industry that say, no, I'm not going to that show, it's not cost effective for me.
Speaker 2:And, dj, I scratch my head because I always do very well at the show. But you've got to prepare and you've got to work. It's not a game, it's not an event to go have fun and drink and play. It's a business trip and as an employee, you have to treat it that way because, just like you said, every one of these shows from Florida to the Mid-Atlantic Toe Show and Raleigh, north Carolina to the Midwest Regional and Mason Ohio every one of them if you're there, there is a lot of business that can be done, there's education that can be done and there's training that can be done. You can get a lot for your value. But you have to go there and you have to treat it like you're on the clock and if you do that, the shows start becoming a big plus in the industry for you and not a minus Right, and they're all.
Speaker 1:If you go on the website, every one of them, every one of the shows, have a beautiful website that they can give you more information and make sure you participate. That's it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, without a doubt. You know, check them out. Today. You can always go to MidwestTowShoworg, you can go to FloridaTowShoworg and we gave you the email address here for the Mid-Atlantic Tow Shows. So between them there's going to be some great shows, and that again is TRPNC at NCTowingorg. So those are three quick picks, as we'll call it, that have the stamp of approval from me and DJ, and if you're going to be in this industry this year, you need to be at those shows, because those shows right there can impact your year. I know Florida will certainly impact your second quarter. It's a great show and what a way to finish off the year with the shows in September with Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest Regional Show. That sounds like a prescription right there for some good business in 25, doesn't it, dj?
Speaker 1:Yes, it does, and you know the Florida Toe Show. A lot of people don't realize most of the vendors now the Florida Toe Show will have over 975 vendors. 975 vendors are at the Florida Toe Show, indoors and outdoors. So bring comfortable shoes. But I'm going to share with you most of the brand new products. Every time that Darren and I are talking to somebody who's in the magazine as a good example, darren, you could tell this better than me. But in the magazine if they have a brand new product, they want to make sure they're ready for the Florida Toe Show.
Speaker 2:That's right. There's a lot of new products we see rolled out at that show, and it's always one that starts the excitement and carries it through the year, so we're really excited about that coming up. Well, dj, any parting shots before we leave.
Speaker 1:No, my friend, I just think I congratulate you for not feeling well and still doing the podcast, and you sounded great and you tell people how God's been good to you, good to me. My health is great now and this is going good and I'm going to look forward to seeing everybody at these shows and I know you always bring us home the right way.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir. Well, as I can say, man, hey, god has hit a hard lick with a big stick over here. He's definitely taken care of me and I am certainly a great example of how you don't have to get everything right. All you got to do is get in front of God and His grace and do the work from there on, because he certainly blessed me and my family and all of our vendors. So, again, I want to continue what I've always done, and with that I'll say this Heavenly Father, we thank you for every one of our vendors.
Speaker 2:We thank you for every one of our listeners out there. We thank you for our tow operators, these men and women that go out there with the hardest service every single day. They don't do it for money, they do it because of their heart and because they love being out there to serve the people. Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that you bless and make prosperous our vendors for their belief in us, for giving us the opportunity to put their products out there. We ask that they prosper for having that belief and thought and trust in us.
Speaker 2:Definitely, father, we ask that you again continue to keep the heads of protection around our tow operators, around our tow professionals, our men and women out there. Take them out there, help them do their tasks, give them the strength, courage and ability to be able to do that on a daily basis. Bring them home, prosper them and bring them back to their families safe and every time. We ask this in your precious name, father. Amen, and until next time, continue to listen to Toe Professional on the Go podcast. We thank every one of you for making it the number one podcast in industry. And again, listen to our sponsors that we have here. We've got some great folks here. Make sure you're loyal to them. Talk with them, tell them you heard them on Toe Professional and that you appreciate their loyalty to our network. Again, thank you and have a blessed week until next time, god bless.