Tow Professional Podcast
Tow Professional Podcast
Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo: Where Safety Meets Innovation
The roads we travel daily might seem ordinary, but for towing professionals, they're battlegrounds where safety concerns and technological innovation collide. In this compelling conversation with Krista Tomasso, Central Vice President of the Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina, we explore the rapidly approaching Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo happening September 4-6 at the Jim Graham Building in Raleigh.
The towing industry stands at a technological crossroads, with artificial intelligence emerging as a game-changer. From automated dispatch systems to digital payment processing, AI applications are revolutionizing how towers operate. Yet despite these advancements, Krista emphasizes that safety remains the industry's most pressing concern: "The most pressing issue is keeping our drivers safe, bringing our families home at the end of the night." This commitment to safety manifests in comprehensive training opportunities at the expo, including a free four-hour TIMS certification course and specialized electric vehicle handling sessions.
What truly distinguishes this event from corporate shows is its community-centered approach. As TRPNC celebrates its 45th anniversary, the expo features not just educational components but memorable social experiences—an 80s-themed meet-and-greet, a popular Drive Shack outing, and a $10,000 reverse raffle that creates palpable excitement on the show floor. These gatherings foster crucial knowledge sharing that Krista describes perfectly: "A lot of the bonding happens at the hotel bar... that's how this industry survives." Meanwhile, proceeds support vital legislative initiatives addressing industry challenges like fair compensation and public awareness of "Slow Down, Move Over" laws.
Whether you're a veteran tower or new to the industry, the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness innovation, strengthen your skills, and connect with peers who understand your daily challenges. Join us in Raleigh this September—register today at nctowing.org and be part of shaping the future of towing and recovery.
Welcome one and all to Toe Professional Podcast. Remember, 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, your co-host, better known as the Toad Doctor, and the real host of this program is the president and publisher of Toad Professional Magazine, a very good friend of the industry and a dear friend of mine, darren Weaver. Darren, how are you this beautiful day?
Speaker 2:Man, dj, I'm telling you, if you're anywhere around the South and I know you are it's a fantastic day to be in the air condition. Today. I'm having a wonderful day. It's like I said, it's it's hotter than two cats in a sock today. So, uh, it's a great day to to be in the air condition. And, uh, man, let me tell you we we've got a great podcast today. We say that every time but, dj, between me and you, we seem to me you and Chuck seem to reel in some of the leaders in the industry and get some of the top podcasts out. So this one is no exception. We have Krista Tommaso on. She's the central vice president of the TRPNC and we're going to be talking about one of the fastest growing shows over the past three years the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo.
Speaker 1:That's happening the 4th through the 6th in September, so it's coming up, coming in hot my friend, you have read about this show and Krista has done so much for our industry. I am so glad she's on and I have to tell Krista last year you just bragged and bragged how much it's grown and what the difference of you know at the Jim Graham building it was really. You loved it.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You bragged about it as much as I brag about the other shows.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was a great show and you think about it. Last year was the set, I think the second year they had it where it was, uh, inside and uh, let me tell you, in the south again, that makes a big difference. And uh, the amount of room for show trucks, for the beauty contest, for kids, interactive events and everything else just phenomenal, with room to grow. So with that, like I said, this interview with Krista Tomasa is going to be a great one. Happy to have you all, krista, and with that I'm going to let DJ take this one and get us started.
Speaker 4:Yes, sir, Hi guys.
Speaker 1:Krista, it is so good to see you and hear your voice. I want to tell all of our listeners, first of all, we got a ton of listeners. We got close to 20,000 listeners. So what I want to remind all of them right now. Take a pen, write down September 4th through the 6th. Pen, write down September 4th through the 6th, just like Darren just said. It's the Mid-Atlantic Expo up in the Jim Graham building up in North Carolina. By all means, this is a good one and you got to be there. So write it down, start making plans to be there. Now here's my question, kristen how has the towing industry evolved since last year's show that Darren bragged about, and how is it reflected in this event?
Speaker 4:So in last year's show we had a lot of feedback from our attendees and they wanted to have, you know, more training, more seminars, more stuff like that they can kind of take back and what they can implement. This year the industry has seen a significant push towards modernization of the industry. We have a lot of companies that are doing digital payment systems, and the digital GPS is a big thing. That's coming up now is AI, so that's a huge thing in the industry that is starting to work its way into towing. That we're going to be highlighting at the show. That are going to be doing some AI-type demonstrations for either phone systems or payment systems or stuff like that. But that's kind of where everything is going and so the industry is kind of moving towards that as well.
Speaker 1:Well, you're always making improvements to make it better. You have a canary attitude, a constant and never-ending improvement. Well, you're always making improvements to make it better. You have a can I attitude, a constant and never ending improvement. And I and you always, krista, you always are you have a can I attitude yourself and you're always making it better than the year before. So if they want to come to a good family show, they're to get them to the mid-atlantic expo. So, dad, I'm gonna let you do the next one man.
Speaker 2:I tell you, dj, it's a in raleigh, north carolina, september four through the six. That's a beautiful time of year and there's a lot of things to do in raleigh. Yes, that's why I love it. Last year I went up there, enjoyed the show and snuck right up to West Virginia and did three days of trailing about 110 miles of off-road trails. So there's all kinds of things to do in between. Krista, my question is because you've got some tremendous vendors Walking through last year just seeing the folks there how do you choose which vendors, speakers or demonstrations to feature at the show each year?
Speaker 4:Well, we always want to keep it fresh and we don't want to kind of repeat recycle. So how we've decided to kind of prioritize is who's dealing with real world problems for the towers in North Carolina? So if that means that we're dealing with storage liens or we're dealing with safety issues or fleet efficiency and so, like I mentioned in the previous answer, the AI is going to be a good seminar to do. I think they're putting on two. They're going to have a booth there.
Speaker 4:It's really the. I mean I use AI in my daily how to run your business. I've taken a couple courses and for for it to evolve into the towing industry the way that it has been or the way that it's starting to. It's kind of exciting and interesting to learn about and so I'm excited about having you know we're excited about all of our vendors. We're thankful that every one of our vendors has been there to support us from the beginning. They're coming back year after year. But providing new and exciting vendors for the industry is what helps the industry grow and stay in the forefront of what needs to be done to get the roads clear faster, get everybody taken care of, which is ultimately what we're all here for.
Speaker 2:Yeah, without a doubt. When you get there, there's, like I said, those demonstrations, the technology that's on the floor there. You've got time to talk with the vendors about it, to explain to them what your needs are and how, and they have time to cater something to you. So, with this, you have time to see your vendors and you have time to take care, take part in these demonstrations. And let me tell you another thing. Let's just talk about this. Let's just say it up front the association shows are different than other shows in the industry. This money goes back into legislation, it goes back into training, it goes back into safety programs, it goes back into the association to help members. So there's many things that a show like this does for the association. It helps that state thrive and it helps our first responders be able to get their jobs done on a daily basis. So when you're there, you're also supporting the association, and that's huge. Dj, I'll throw the next one to you and then we can take a break, if you like.
Speaker 1:Yeah, if we could, can I ask krista now, krista, this is for education of darren and I okay this question. When darren helps a lot of exhibitors and we had a guy on last week on the podcast and he has a heavy piece of equipment Do you, when you sell a space to somebody like that, do you say to them all right, if you're going to have a demonstration, we need to know what time it's going to be, or you only can do two a day, or something of that nature? Is there anything like? Because what Darren and I want to do, we want to help some of these people, you know, who need to demonstrate their new product yeah.
Speaker 4:So basically, what we've done in the past and has worked, and what we're continuing to do this year is, if we've got anybody that wants to do live demos, if you're doing it at your booth, amen, great, like that's just a constant thing that you're doing. But if you need the space or you need like one of the meeting rooms for that, we are able to accommodate that at the gym brand building, and so we just basically are like we can give you 45 minutes, how much time do you need? We try to coordinate that with the company. Whatever it is that they need whether or not they need a microphone or they need computer setups we try to get all of that set up through the building. So that way, basically, all they're doing is just bringing in their equipment, whatever it is that they are trying to put out there, and then make it as quick and easy for them to demonstrate it and get it back out onto the floor if they need to.
Speaker 4:If it's something that's a little bit bigger and we can't get it into that room, then we do have options out on the floor for them to be able to demonstrate at their booth or in the area between where the booths are and where the um, the beauty contest typically starts. So um it honestly. If you've got it and you want to show it, tell us and we'll make it work. That's basically been the theme. The theme for our association's toe show is if you got it and you want to show it, we'll make it work all right because we have some people listening.
Speaker 1:I know it's so close to September 4th through the 6th. Are you still taking one or two booths, if a person wants to take a booth?
Speaker 4:Yes, we are not going to turn anybody away. If you want to come and be a vendor, we are more than happy to have you. I think one person called or emailed yesterday and asked basically the same question. The answer is yes. So I think, basically up until, I'm not going to turn anybody away. So up until the third, if you want to bring new stuff, we'll make it work. Somehow we will find a spot for you in the show.
Speaker 1:You're a good person. That's why everybody loves you.
Speaker 5:All right.
Speaker 1:Here's the third question, and we'll go to a break right after. What were some of the biggest challenges in organizing the 2025 Toe Show, besides my last question?
Speaker 4:So we did run into a lot of issues. I don't want to say a lot of issues. I don't want to say a lot of issues. We did run into some issues where you know there was budgeting stuff, because everything that kind of came through with possible tariffs not sure if tariffs were coming in the pipeline and how vendors were going to negotiate that and work around that. So our show kind of got put together a little bit later in the year than what we normally would do.
Speaker 4:But great news is, like I mentioned before, all of the vendors that we have worked with the past two years have committed to come back. I'm actually waiting to get an email this afternoon on our updated vendor list. As of yesterday I think we had 50 vendors. So yeah, we're it's, it's the. The support that our vendors have provided to us is amazing and we love it and it's humbling and we, everything that we can do, everything that we do do for the members of our association, comes from our vendors and we can't give them enough love and support for that.
Speaker 4:But just, you know, small logistical things, like we want to try to make education and training seminars easy to access for employees, employers your business is still running on a, you know, daily basis and it's hard to just shut your business down and send your employees to Tim's training or a four hour Tim's training. Or you know, we've got Erska coming and they're doing some heavy duty training, they're doing some light duty training. All of that stuff needs to be done, but how do we fit that in so everybody can participate? So that was, you know, a little bit of a logistical thing, but we've got that figured out and straightened out and then it's just dealing with the other events that kind of happen around in and around Raleigh and I think there's a couple.
Speaker 4:Last year we had the monster truck show. This year the monster truck show is back. So I'm kind of hoping that people will, you know like they'll come in from that and our events free to get into. So you know like, hey, come, and it's in the air conditioner, but the Monster Truck Show is not in the air conditioner. So come out, come hang out in the AC with us and see what we do and what we're about, and, and hopefully you'll come back next year.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the exhibitors that were there last year loved it. Yeah, I know they'll be back next year. Yeah, the exhibitors that were there last year loved it. Yeah, I know they'll be back again. All right, listeners, let's take a real fast break and when we come back, we're going to learn a little bit more about the fantastic Mid-Atlantic Expo September 4th through the 6th. Hold tight, we'll be right back back.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. Of course you know you're listening to Toe Professional on the Go podcast Every week. We do our best to bring you informative episodes like this one here with Krista and all about the Mid-Atlantic Expo, september 4th through the 6th. Remember we're available on Spotify, pandora, skitcher, iheartmedia or wherever you get your podcast, and I can't thank you enough for all of you tuning in. So, darren, I'll turn it over to you. Thank you, dj. You're the man baby.
Speaker 2:Well, the next one I have and I've seen it grow. So I've been blown away by the growth there. There was great traffic there last year, like I said, friday and Saturday, and, like you said, right there in the parking lot folks, it's not a long distance, it's I could walk it. So there's the monster truck rally right there during the event as well. So wife and kids get bored, send them next door man, they'll have a great time and then they'll run right back into the air condition with you. So next up. Next question I had, krista, is what? What are the goals for the future of the toe show for the next three to five years?
Speaker 4:So you know, like you mentioned, you know you've been a big supporter of ours from the beginning and you've seen it grow. You know when, when Carrie Fogg took over as president, she had a vision and the past two years it. You know. We started off we weren't sure exactly what was going to happen and our vendors kind of pulled us through. Last year was amazing. This year is going to be even more amazing. So ultimately it's to grow on what her vision was right.
Speaker 4:So we would love for the North Carolina show to be like the regional hub for towers in the Southeast. Um, not just North Carolina, we're talking Virginia, we're talking Georgia, south Carolina. You know there's a lot of networking that goes on between our states and if we can all share the technology and the education and the training, it just makes all of our jobs better. It makes the industry better as a whole. So that means more hands-on equipment zones, more multilingual safety training, real-time problem-solving panels.
Speaker 4:I would love to build a youth and recruitment seminar, you know, because as the industry ages we need to get more people brought into. Not everybody likes to work with their hands but you know, I think it would be amazing if we can start bringing in some of the younger generation into what it is, what we do, how we do things. And you know, one of our major long term goals is just to raise the standards of professionalism in our field, like that and training and making sure that everybody goes home at the end of the night. Those are the major goals of the show and the association put together man, krista, that is, that is fantastic.
Speaker 2:And I tell you when, um, you can see it. You could see Carrie's vision. Um, she came in, um and just absolutely um turned, turned things around when it came to, uh, the the show and was very involved and and did a tremendous job, laid down some great groundwork and then handed the torch to Jerry and, uh, he's done a phenomenal job as well and it has just absolutely grown. And, yeah, when you can take the family and you can get away for a weekend and get training and talk to the people that manufacture and distribute the products that you're putting on your trucks and you're trusting uh, your life with on a daily basis, man, that's fantastic. It makes it all worthwhile. Well, dj, next one's for you, sir.
Speaker 1:You got it and, of course, this is a good one. Darren and I both agree that when you kiss your loved one goodbye in the morning, we want that loved one to come home at night. Exactly that's the important, and you, krista, you mentioned it. They're out there working the white line. It's amazing what can be done. So what are some of the new products or technologies that you'll be showing at this year's show? And I know there's some new technology and that's always where they can share it with people coming to the show.
Speaker 4:Exactly like I mentioned earlier, um, ai is a big thing that's coming into the industry, um, so we're excited to have that.
Speaker 4:Um, we are excited to partner with Allstate Roadside on their TIMS training.
Speaker 4:They're providing a four-hour TIMS course which will be certified, and, of course, the training for the events and the training at the show on Friday and Saturday are free.
Speaker 4:I think ERSCA is putting on some stuff that's going on that may be an additional cost on that, but really the technology that we're really focusing this year is, you know, obviously it's always EV training. That's that's forever evolving and you know we're kind of hoping that we can get a seat at the table as they evolve that technology to include the towing industry, to be like you know the some of the problems that we see on our side when we're dealing with that, but really it's pushing that, pushing AI this year. Like everybody that we've talked to in other associations, at other shows it was kind of the talk of some of the people that we dealt with, that we talked with at the florida show, was really how ai is coming into the towing industry and how it's how, how it's going to start making some hopefully, um, positive changes yeah krista, I wanted to tell you I've taken Tim's training three different times and every time I learned something new.
Speaker 1:Yep, exactly, if the person's taking Tim's training, do they need to call the 336 number and sign up, or do you have room if I would like to bring two or three people for the Tim's training?
Speaker 4:Absolutely so. Allstate is the sponsor of that and there's a special link that they've provided to us that to sign up. But if that is something that you want to do, yes, you can call the main office number and they can. They can get the link over to you and then you would just sign up that way. So it's 336-975-0029. Yes, sir, Yep, Call them and they'll be able to provide you the link, and I think they sent me updated numbers. I think we have 20 people signed up already for the course, which is amazing and again so grateful for everybody who is signing up for courses, who you know. At the end of the day, like we've all kind of said, everybody wants to come home. So if Tim's training is where it is or other additional training is where it's at, then we want to be able to provide that for our members.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like seeing a movie and you see it two or three times with a spouse and then your child wants to see it, so you go back again with your oldest one and all of a sudden you see something new. And every time I've done Tim's training I picked up something new and I know it was maybe because of the personality person putting it on. It brought something in. All right, let's take one more break, like Darren suggested, and we'll be back. Folks, listen up, because this is a great one and, chris, I can't thank you for what you do for our industry. So, folks, we'll be right back.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. Now I want to share something with all of you. This is the number one podcast in the tone recovery industry and we really appreciate it. Darren and I want to thank you for remembering to like, review and share everywhere. If you want to hear another industry expert like Krista from Mid-Atlantic, by all means just dial our hot toe shows. That's a soft spot for Darren and I. We believe in it. We believe in you belonging to your association. If you live in those states and see Krista, I actually hope that one day, georgia will have a state meeting at your show and that Virginia will have a state meeting at your show.
Speaker 1:We would love that Come up and you get a little get together right there, right there in Raleigh.
Speaker 4:They are more than welcome. Anytime that they would like to come, we would love to have them.
Speaker 1:Well, it would be, it would be wonderful. So, darren, I'm going.
Speaker 2:Darren, I can't thank you enough, Darren, for letting me be part of the podcast, but I'll let you do the next question and I'll do the last one a phenomenal partnership, and it's drove us to number one, which is phenomenal because we can reach more people and tell them about the great products and services and people that we deal with on a daily basis, which is awesome, so, uh. Next one I got for you, krista, is how do events like this impact your business and your relationship with the towing community?
Speaker 4:um. So the tow show, for me and for the speaking for the board, I feel like it's more than just an event. It's really about the community. It's where owners and operators, vendors, they all kind of come together, connect, share stories, learn from each other. It strengthens trust and bonds between you know, the towers and the industry suppliers. But for us, the association, for the board, it's an opportunity for us to listen to the real concerns of our membership, see what's working in the field, what's not working, and so how we can, how it helps us shape next year year's show, what we need to do for next year's show, but also what we need to advocate for, for, for our members in North Carolina, for the industry in North Carolina.
Speaker 4:It's not very often that the entire industry gets together over a day period or two day period and and so to have a lot of people in one area and have the ears of the board to, to talk about what's going on in your community and how this law affects you or how that law is not working for you guys or hey, this is what we're doing in this area of the state. Maybe you know you guys can a lot of the I'd like to say that a lot of the the bonding happens at the hotel bar. So you know, a lot of stories get traded at the hotel bars, a lot of bonding happens at the hotel bars, and so I think, at the end of the day, that really is what it's about for us. It's about the community coming together and sharing and learning from each other. That's how this industry survives.
Speaker 2:You know, I think there's a verse in the Bible about that, something about how iron sharpens iron iron and uh, when you bring, when you bring uh the, uh, the tow bosses together, uh, and you bring the, the key employees, the association, uh leaders from from other states when you, when this all comes together, it just makes the, it makes the industry better for everybody, because then, um, you can all act as the tip of the spear, um, when it, when it goes to legislation, safety and other things. So we're just, we are so happy to be a part of it and just happy to see it grow and just blown away. So, dj, I'll let you take the last one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then I'll go to a break, our final break. Krista, I know you're going to say, besides AI.
Speaker 4:Sorry, I know it's my thing that I'm pushing this year Love AI girl.
Speaker 1:We all know that we're going to have AI at the show, yeah.
Speaker 1:So what do you think the most pressing issue facing towing companies in 2025? Facing towing companies in 2025. And I won't influence you by saying AI, but I won't influence you by saying safety, because that is, I think, that's the burning desire of Darren and Tow Professional Magazine is that everyone that's in this industry the families that are in it, the groups that are in it, the associations that are in it if we could do better products to keep our members safer, yes, and that's why Darren, always in the magazine, tries to do extra edits to help people learn about how can we keep us safer out there and how do we get the toolboxes on the left side of the truck and on the inside so that we're not on the white line servicing the person or learning how to teach the person, just like in the TIMSS class, how they teach how to tell the person stay in your vehicle and, if you exit, exit out the passenger side and go that route. So the question is what do you think the most pressing issue facing towing companies in 2025 is?
Speaker 4:well, I'm going to 100 agree with you. Um, I think the most pressing issue is safety keeping our our drivers safe, bringing our families home at the end of the night um, that should be front of everybody's brain when they get out on the side of the road is how can I do this the most safe, safest way possible? So, if that's either you know, through your truck or equipment, or having a side puller on your truck, like whatever situational that you're dealing with, and what works best for your company, it should always be safety. I'm not going to mention AI because I don't think that that is the most pressing thing for 2025. I am going to be maybe just a little bit of a Debbie Downer.
Speaker 4:I think in North Carolina, the other pressing thing is we've been dealing with a lot of legislation that has kind of come our way on how we get paid, how we handle things.
Speaker 4:So I think one of the other pressing and it's been nationwide, so it isn't just something that's here in North Carolina, but I think it's not being compensated for the essential services that we provide.
Speaker 4:So we get called out just like fire, ems, police, and we're usually the last people on scene and we are definitely the last ones to be paid, and every tow is different, every wreck is different, every scenario is different. But I think with insurance and and legislation, there are bad actors out there. We know that there's bad actors in every industry, but I think that the good, hardworking people who want to make a living for their family and provide for other people's families, I think it's becoming harder and harder to sustain that with some of the legislation that's coming down in the States where we're being, you know, regulated either. Um, and how you can do things, what, how you can charge stuff like that, um, I'm not going to like fully get into, get on my soapbox about it, cause I could talk for hours but major major issues are safety, driver shortages and then how we're compensated for the work that we provide.
Speaker 4:I think if we can come up with better towing regulations across the board for the entire industry that includes safety training as your number one priority I think that would be amazing. I think that would be an amazing initiative for every state association to take on and just keep pressing that. Then you know, like we have we, we go out to the fair, um, for the two weeks of the North Carolina state fair and all we talk about is slow down, move over, slow down, move over, slow down, move over. And I cannot tell you how many people really didn't know that that was a law. They they didn't know that it was a law. They didn't know.
Speaker 4:When you ask people if you knew what slow down, move over meant, we've had people tell us that it was for the people cutting the grass. We've had people tell us that it's for that um, amber lights have become desensitized, and so I think if we could get some smart legislation that we could, you know, maybe run a different color or run something. Maybe I'm not sure you know, that's above my pay grade and and um, but I would love to see that happen. Um, but yes, safety, number one priority and I, like I said, I would love for that to be on the forefront of every association's mind, throughout the States or throughout the country.
Speaker 1:Well, darren and I are with you 110%. You know this is a guy who stands for the cross, you know stands for the flag, kneels for the cross and is very concerned about safety. So that's the reason why the magazine's done so well and the podcast has done great. So let's take a break and we'll be back for our finalization of this great podcast, of this great podcast.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners and thank you so very much for making this the number one podcast. Darren, and I cannot thank you enough, and neither can the people that have been on our podcast, like Krista. Krista, I just hope and pray that everybody writes down the Mid-Atlantic Expo, September 4th through the 6th Jim Graham building up in Raleigh. I can't thank you enough for all you do, what your husband does, what the association does, and so I'll turn it over to my dear friend Darren, and he knows how I feel attention to our listeners is if you want more information, uh, you can go to trpnc at nctowingorg.
Speaker 2:Also another thing I want to let you know the uh hotel blocks. Get in there now while there's room. There's the hot place raleigh slash carry. Uh, that's how it's how you ask for it. It's the hot place Raleigh slash Cary C-A-R-Y. That is your group block one and then your rates are $139 a night. I think it's one of your most affordable hotels in our whole tow schedule that we go to for tow shows. And then they've got a group block two at the Hampton Inn in Suites and that's Raleigh-Carrie-Lenovo Center.
Speaker 4:Lenovo.
Speaker 2:Say that one time for me.
Speaker 4:Lenovo.
Speaker 2:Lenovo.
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, in Alabama we can't pronounce words like that. We normally just throw it in the spell check and let it ride. Make sure the Hampton Inn in Suites and Raleigh Kerry and also the Heights Place Raleigh Kerry Two great hotels. I stayed at the Heights Place, raleigh Kerry last year. It was a great place, except for the fire alarm at 4 in the morning. That was a little surprising, but everything was 100%. And, krista, let me ask you this I want to tell our, our listeners, man, they had some fantastic things going on last year, from the, from the silent auction to a raffle that, whoo, I was close on. So I'm gonna get in there again this year.
Speaker 4:But, krista, tell us about some of that that's going on at the show yeah, so this year year is actually TRPNC's 45th anniversary, so we've got a couple little things that we're working on. I'm trying to convince some of the members of the board and also of just the association to do like a 80s fashion show. I'm trying, really trying to get Jerry Barber into an 80s Um, I think people would pay to see that. I know I would Um, so uh, but yeah, but it being the 45th anniversary, so the meet and greet is going to be Thursday night um at the Hyatt. Um, we're going to have, you know, food and uh, the bar will be there. We're also, like I'm saying, like I said, we're trying to really get like an 80s theme kind of going into in for that, so that should be fun.
Speaker 4:Friday night is the drive shack. That's been a huge success for us from the first year to last year I think. Last year we had 90 something people um at the at the event. Um and that uh, you can go on to the website um nctowingorg to uh register for for that. Um the we have 50 50 raffle. We have um silent auction and then we have the um the reverse raffle, which darren was just talking about. Um, that is, it's a hundred dollars a ticket, but the grand prize is $10,000. Um, and I think you were saying you were like one of the last couple numbers.
Speaker 2:I was close, I was top 15, I guess, and uh, it slowly slipped away.
Speaker 4:And uh, I know the Lord wanted to give it to somebody else instead of me, so I was just gracious with that decision, but I walked off a little defeated yeah that is a lot of fun at the show, yeah it's always the, the last, maybe like hour, hour and a half, where, like, everybody's scrambling to get their tickets and you know, like whatever, and then we also do like a. You know, we try to do like a buy back in. If we're down to like I think it's like the third or fourth ticket, you get an extra chance. So, yeah, there's a lot of fun things that happen on the show floor at the show um. This year we're also having um Toe is coming.
Speaker 4:He's bringing toe wags and some friends and whatever. I think they're doing a lockout competition. So that's something new that we haven't done at the show before. We also have the beauty contest, which everybody signs up for and loves. But yeah, so a lot of fun things happen on the show floor. So if you don't show up, you're going to miss them. And then if you really don't show up, then you can't say that you missed. You could have had $10,000.
Speaker 2:Definitely, definitely. And, hey guys, and make sure you sign up for the drive shack. Now you'll get to see. For a golfer I make a heck of a publisher, but let me tell you that's a lot of fun and it's a great time to relax, have a cold drink, be around the vendors, get knowledge and be in a relaxed atmosphere, and it's a lot of fun. And you can watch everybody else swing too not me. So make sure you sign up for the DriveShack. It was a phenomenal event and it's just right around the corner. They've got everything set up so close to the event center. Um, you're not worried about driving long distances or shuttling or ubering. It's right around the corner and right back. Uh, so, if we need to, we can carry you back from the drive shack, if needed. Um, absolutely, it is very close. Um, so, with that, is there anything else you want to tell our listeners before we leave? Krista?
Speaker 4:No, just thank you for all of the support that you've shown to the association over the years. We appreciate everything that you guys do for us you and DJ, the podcast that you guys put out, the magazine that you guys put out. There's always great articles in there. I'm honored that you asked me to be on the podcast and anytime you want me back, just let me know.
Speaker 2:I would love to have you back in the future and let me tell you again, listeners, just remember this is an association show, unlike the corporate shows, other shows in the industry. This money doesn't go to the lake house private trips going down to the Bahamas for the weekend. This money doesn't go to the lake house private trips going down to the Bahamas for the weekend. This goes back into our industry, it strengthens our legislation, it goes to hard hitting matters that are affecting our tow professionals right there in the state and surrounding states, and it's just something that's meant to bring everybody together, promote our family of towing and leave everybody with some knowledge and with the keys that can help them stay out of the red and stay in the black, and that's the key to it. So with that I'll end, as always, on a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for every one of our vendors, I thank you for our associations, I thank you for the men and women that care so much and put their heart and passion into the products, the services, the manufacturing, the distributing inside this industry. And, dear Lord, I just ask you, bless them, keep them safe and prosper them for their efforts and, dear heavenly father, we thank you for every one of our men and women of service that go out there on a daily basis to help our loved ones get back home safe. And, heavenly Father, we just ask you for their protection, that you put a hedge of protection around them that coming and going and that you bring them back to their family safe. You give them the time to get the training they need and help them make it to and from these events. And protect their family when they're off at the show shows and they're away from their business. Protect them as well in those situations. We pray for our nation, Father. We just ask you, keep us strong, keep us protected and amen. Thank you, listeners.
Speaker 2:As always, we appreciate you listening in helping make Toll Professional the number one podcast in industry. And if you want to listen to more great industry leaders in there in here, like krista tomaso with the central vice president of trpnc, give us a call. Let us know who you want on. Next we'll get them on. And make sure you go to the mid-atlantic toe expo the four through the six. You'll get to see the latest technology. You'll get to join training, tim's training, get those things that you normally have to pay for at other tow shows and you'll be able to take part of it and leave with that knowledge Until next time. Be safe out there, until we see you again. Keep listening, and God bless you.