Tow Professional Podcast
Tow Professional Podcast
Recovery Road: Building Safety and Community at the Midwest Tow Show
The Great Wolf Lodge welcomes back the towing and recovery community for the 47th Midwest Regional Tow Show, and the excitement is palpable. As Bruce Bender, Executive Director of both the Midwest Tow Show and TRAA, reveals in this engaging conversation, this isn't just another industry event – it's a homecoming that attendees have been clamoring for.
What makes this show special? It's where the proceeds directly benefit the industry through legislative advocacy and support programs rather than corporate profits. The Injured Drivers Fund stands as a testament to the industry's commitment to taking care of its own, providing critical financial assistance to tow operators sidelined by injury or illness. This fund, supported by the show's popular auction, has become a model for other industries seeking to create similar safety nets for their professionals.
Family lies at the heart of this gathering, earning it the well-deserved reputation as the industry's most family-friendly event. While parents network and explore the latest innovations on the show floor, children enjoy supervised activities like the Little Towers Beach Party and Movie Night. The Great Wolf Lodge's water park adds another dimension of fun that keeps families returning year after year.
The event honors those lost in the line of duty through a moving Celebration of Life ceremony, complete with a Slow Down, Move Over awareness parade and candlelight vigil. This solemn reminder of the dangers towers face daily underscores the importance of industry advocacy and safety initiatives.
From hazmat training with Perry Beatty to specialized seminars throughout the weekend, the educational opportunities provide immediate value to attendees. Evening events like the spectacular truck Light Show, Texas Hold'em tournament, and Saturday night karaoke create the perfect atmosphere for building the relationships that form the backbone of this tight-knit community.
With September 25-27 quickly approaching and rooms at the Great Wolf Lodge filling fast, now's the time to secure your place at this industry cornerstone. Register today at midwesttowshow.org and join the family reunion that towers have been waiting for.
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. It's truly the voice of the towing and recovery industry. I'm DJ Harrington, your co-host, better known as the Toe Doctor. But the real host of this program is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, a very, very good friend of the industry and a dear friend of mine, darren Weaver. Darren, how are you? And it's a beautiful day in Atlanta now.
Speaker 2:So how are you? Let me tell you, dj, I am fantastic. We had that kind of weather this morning that, as I've said before, it'll make your dog wag his whole body, and we had the little cool breeze in the air and no 100-degree weather. It was in the mid-50s this morning and mid-70s now, so I couldn't be happier. And we got one of our good friends on here, so it doesn't get better.
Speaker 2:Today, listeners, we've got Bruce Bender, executive Director at Midwest Toe Show and also, as you know, is Executive Director at TRAA. This man's done a phenomenal job with the Midwest Regional Show. It's been one of my favorites since I started in the industry. It's the number one family show out there. And, man, let me tell you, your dog will be wagging its whole body come October when the show rolls around. That's great weather right here at the end of September 25th through the 27th when it's happening. And, uh, it's one of the best times to be up there in Ohio and at a great, great uh location. To have it again this year is the Great Wolf Lodge, which is my favorite uh show to go to. So, man, that's all I know to say about it, dj, I'm excited'm excited.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's my favorite show and I tell people, of course, as you heard us on the last two podcasts, my favorite part of the show is the Injured Drivers Fund auction. For me, yes, have I been saving stuff to bring to the show? I have. I've been saving stuff to bring to the show I have. I have got trucks that I got from hobby lobby that I'm bringing to raffle off. I think that the auctioneer that Bruce uses is one of the best in it. But to me, the injured drivers fund is something that goes on, that I want to support and I want to do anything here. And if you're a listener and you're coming to the show which I better have you going bring something with you for the auction and the silent auction to help the injured drivers fund. All right, so, without further ado, you want to get Bruce to say hi and I'll ask him the first one.
Speaker 3:Well, hi, everybody, glad to be back, looking forward to the show. Most importantly, I'm excited to see everybody. I love seeing everybody in the industry, such a good group of people, and we listened. We had to move the show a couple years, but we listened to everybody and everybody was wanting to go back to the Great Wolf so badly. Not only our wonderful exhibitors, but our absolutely wonderful attendees all were after me wanting to go back, and so we made it happen and we can't be any more excited than to get to see everybody at the show this year.
Speaker 1:Well, bruce, on behalf of Darren and myself, I'm going to tell you To see everybody at the show this year. Well, bruce, on behalf of Darren and myself, I'm going to tell you the magazine supports you and we as an industry Should support the state Shows, and Darren, on the last podcast, did such a good Job explaining what a state Show is and how the proceeds Go back to the state and not to a corporate show. It's a big, big difference, and so for me, I want to remind everybody september 25th through the 27th in mason, ohio, at the great wolf lodge, and I think it's fantastic. What I want to ask I know it's your 47th regional show what are some of the things that you want to bring out on those dates and some of the show hours, like explain to our exhibitors when they set up, and that kind of stuff okay.
Speaker 3:So, um, you know I've. I took over the show once the, the previous show coordinator, had left and ever since then I make it a point to try to go around, speak to the exhibitors at each show and I try to get to each and every booth. Most years I can. Some years it's a struggle, but I do my best with that. But one of the things I kept hearing each year was is that we had a little short period on Sunday morning that we were open and what was happening was a lot of people needed to tear down, to get to the airports on time and things like that. So it wasn't quite fair to the exhibitors or the attendees to have, you know, to be having all that going on while while their show hours going on. So we listened, I went around, I talked to different ones and we came up with the decision that this year we have changed the show hours. So on Thursday day the exhibitors come in and they set up from like 10 to 5 is their setup, and also at 10 am we're bringing back the golf tournament that Sandy's towing puts on for us. Shotgun starts at 10 am. If you go to wwwmidwesttowshoworg, you can get the details on that and who to contact if you want to participate in the golf tournament. But exhibitor setup is from 10 to 5.
Speaker 3:And then, after they have had their time to set up at around 5.30, we're going to come back in this year with a celebration of life event where we promote slow down, move over and celebrate the lives of those that have gone on before us. With that we usually have food, we have entertainment, we do a slow down, move over awareness parade and I know you guys participated in that last year. I mean it's a great show out there. The tow trucks line up. We take a real nice route. We're actually working on a good route for a lot of visibility this year so that more people will see the parade and everything. And then when we come back from the parade we'll have a candlelight vigil and I'm sure if I put DJ on the spot here on this podcast, I'm sure he'll be speaking at the candlelight vigil.
Speaker 1:Last year I would do it and I drove my car after all the tow trucks got going. I'm in the back and I have my signs up in memory of loved ones that have passed. Yes, and this you know. Today's date. Do you know that Blake Gresham is his 13th year? He's from Kansas City. Oh, wow, this is his 13th anniversary Today's date, and so this is played later on, a week from today. But today's date amy, his mom, is. It's one of these things where, here you celebrate. 13 years ago, poor blake was taken by a distracted driver who hit him right on the white line, killed him, and then you sit back and here's her loved one. You know he's only he was 19 years old. Yes, so today's anniversary is for Blake Gresham, but I want you to slow down, parade and the membranes and everything. You do a phenomenal job. You do such a good job, darren. Put it on the front cover of the magazine.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I tell you, when I saw what Bruce and TRAO the members had set up to honor the fallen, it blew me away and they brought it down last year to Chattanooga uh, wall of the fallen and I got some real good photos there. I had some ideas in my mind that, hey, we've been doing this, this cover, for 14 years now. Um, for the, for the wall of the fallen, and it's. It's tough to reimagine that cover every year and give the proper honor to our men and women that have passed in their line of service. But my designer, derek Gaylord, did a phenomenal job on it, just knocked it out of the park. So we were glad Bruce allowed us to use that and showcase it, uh, to use that and showcase it.
Speaker 2:But let me tell you guys, uh, the from from your hours. Uh, bruce, as a, as a vendor, it makes it excellent when you're driving up to be able to get there on time, to be able to get your stuff out and have a long day to spend on the floor. Um and uh, last year I think we had, I want to say, 75 or over 100 vehicles I just remember they just kept coming that were involved in that. So if you're there, make sure you take part in that, because it was something, it really was something special. And so that leads us to our next question.
Speaker 3:What are the show hours this year for the actual vendor hours and training and so on. So the exhibitors will have the show floor will be open for the exhibitors on Friday and Saturday from 11 to 5. And so registration will open at 8 am on Friday, 9 am on Saturday, because of security reasons and everything, we do ask that people. You know it doesn't cost anything to register and get your name badge, but we do ask that for security reasons, that we do have every person register and not only for security reasons reasons. It helps us with accountability because, listen, um and I want the attendees to understand this, um, if we can show accurate numbers on the amount of attendees that come in, it's easier to get more exhibitors to exhibit for you guys. I mean it's, it really is, because that's, if you're talking to somebody that's never exhibited at your show, one of the first things that company's going to say is is how many attendees do you have? So that that's, that's a big, very huge, important thing. If you want to see more companies, new companies, coming in to support the ones that are already coming and they're regular I just need you to register, get your name badges, so that and again, it doesn't cost you anything and it actually makes it easier for you and for the exhibitors.
Speaker 3:If there's somebody that you want to reach back out to you or anything like that, you have a QR code on your badge.
Speaker 3:Every time that I've went to a show, the exhibitors have always been very polite and says do you mind if I scan your QR code? And the reason for that is two things. One is it gives them the opportunity of adding you to their database so that they can send you when they're having deals or specials or anything like that. They can send it to your email. And two is then they can go back, because they always have somebody to answer to. They need to be able to go back and say, hey, we talked to this many people, we've met this many people or we've. You know, we've gotten some really good feedback from certain people because you can make notes in the system after you scan someone's badge. So it's important in so many areas, not only for me, but for the exhibitors and for you, because if you do want them to reach out to you, say, hey, scan my badge, put a note in there to call me after the show. You know, do that, take advantage of it. That's what it's there for.
Speaker 2:Yeah, let me say listeners, Bruce was one of these men that was just proactive in this industry, that stepped up and said you know what? I see where the cost is overrun at a lot of the shows and I'm going to take care of this myself. It's overrun at a lot of the shows and I'm going to take care of this myself. And this is a program that years ago Bruce invested money in, made sure it was developed so that every one of his vendors has the ability to get those leads, and that's something if you're at another show in the industry you pay for that. You have to pay to be able to get those leads. So it's a great service and it just it goes a long way for everybody.
Speaker 2:And let me remind our listeners you know we're on a cusp of something new here, bruce, and last time we were at the Great Wolf Lodge we were on the cusp of something new. Last time we were there we were just coming back after the whole market had been shut down with COVID and the Midwest Regional was one of the first shows to kick back off. Florida had a slow start, but then Midwest Regional was the next big one coming up and I remember people saying at that last show man, this is like a mini Baltimore. Remember people saying at that last show man, this is like a mini Baltimore and there was just so much buying going on. And I remember that that year there was a lot of people that told me ah.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna wait and see. I'm gonna see how it goes, I'm gonna see what it's like, because everybody's just getting back. And let me tell you, some folks missed out on key sales. And let me tell you some folks missed out on key sales. I was trying to leave the parking lot, I was tired of writing business of all things, and got stopped by a client in a parking lot as I'm leaving that said, hey man, wait one more minute. I did great here, let's get some issues going for the rest of the year.
Speaker 2:So I want to remind folks, as we're on the cusp of the first time back at Great Wolf Lodge, don't be a vendor in this economy that I know you're going to say oh, it's been a little slow this year, but you know how you can speed it up. Get your products in front of the right people and guess who's going to be there at the Midwest Regional Folks that are looking to buy a product. And if you're not there, you're going to hear the stories of the people that did business and had plenty of it because some people decided not to go. So don't be one of those wait and see companies. Be an action company.
Speaker 2:You know we all, some of us stand around and look and say, hey, I'm, I'm wondering about the sky falling. But then there's others shaking that money tree and let me tell you, my power bill comes every month. So shake the money tree, get out there to the midwest regional show and uh and see the latest products and get your products in front of the people that can buy from you, because they'll be at the show. So with that, um, dj, let's uh. One more question and then we'll go to a commercial break.
Speaker 1:I agree with you. Let's do one more together, and I want to do it together, darren, because last week's podcast you were excellent on this explanation. So let me ask Bruce give Bruce a shot at it and you get a shot at it. Here's my question and you know, here we got 20,000 listeners, bruce, and I want to just come right out and say where does the money go for a state show like yours?
Speaker 3:Very, very, very simple answer, and I'm going to tell you it real quick. Here you ready.
Speaker 1:Go ahead.
Speaker 3:To support the industry. That's the best answer I can give you. It's to support the industry, whether it's used to channel by, you know, paying lobbyists, paying legal fees and things like that. Listen, you gotta have feet on the ground where the state houses are or where the Capitol is, wherever you have to have feet on the ground to catch bills that are trying to be passed. That would be harmful to the industry. A lot of people don't realize how important that is because, let me tell you, most of these legislators out here I'm not on here to dog anybody, but I'm going to tell you, most of them don't understand this industry. It's a very unique industry, um, and if you don't pay to have lobbyists or or attorneys and things like that people with feet on the ground out there fighting for you and having somebody that they can communicate with, you know our lobbyists will communicate with me. An attorney will communicate with me on things. Is this going to be good for the industry? Is this going to be bad? And we're constantly fighting Something you said earlier, darren, about our people that are serving out there.
Speaker 3:I just had a call last week with a senator and I told him. I said I, when I'm talking to somebody and I'm comparing I like to compare our towers, the importance of our towers and things about our towers to our military. And he says to our military. And so that got his curiosity up up and I said, yeah, I said, if you really think about this, the military is extremely, extremely important to the United States and to being able to keep everything running in the United States, because without our protections we don't. We can't keep functioning.
Speaker 3:The same with the towing industry. They're out there protecting the motorists industry. They're out there protecting the motorists. They're out there protecting our, our roadways. They're they're out there doing that. And I said you know, here's one difference though the military's lives are in danger when they get deployed. Our guys are deployed seven days a week, all year round. Every time they get that call, they're deployed out there and their lives are in danger.
Speaker 3:So tell me that they aren't as important. You know, as soon as you say that and you talk to, they're like, oh, never thought about it that way. And then the first thing he said was is you know what the issue that you guys are working on? I want to go ahead and I want to join on this, because they have to understand, but it takes the funding to have our lobbyists paving the way for even me to be able to talk to this person. I wouldn't have been able to get in contact with him and talk to him and get the time from him had it not been for our lobbyists. So, yeah, simple, simple answer the funding from this show goes back into the industry.
Speaker 2:Doesn't add a wing to your home, a new wing on the house or a new boat slip or anything like that.
Speaker 2:You know, I tell you, I've seen plenty of vendors go to a big corporate show and miss out. I saw it happened in the state of Ohio at a corporate show and miss out. And all I can say is this when you go to an association show, your money falls right back into the industry. Your money falls right back into the industry that you need to be living and doing well, breathing well, so that you can draw from it. So that's the key we have to keep supporting our association shows. Our association shows are pouring right back into the industry and pouring into the men and women and helping them keep their companies afloat, legal, legislated and out there working 24-7. And without us doing this and supporting these association shows, we're really missing out. So if we got any vendors out there, guys, I'm just, I'm warning you and I'm urging you don't take a wait-and-see attitude, especially not on an association show, not on a show that's been here 47 years.
Speaker 2:This one means a lot to me, just one, just like DJ said, because the Injured Drivers Fund and everything TRAO does for that. So I want to make sure that this is a show that we continue to stand behind. And let me tell you, the vendors that are there are going to benefit because I've heard it in the grapevine Folks are going back and the last thing I heard is the hotel's almost completely booked. So, folks, you're going to need to really get on the ball, get your registration in and get there, because it is going to be a barn burner this year. A lot of folks are going to be back. They're going to be ready to spend those dollars with you, so make sure you're there. So, listeners, hang in there. We'll be back in just one minute with more great information from the executive director, bruce Bender, and the Midwest Toast Show, and you'll hear more about TRAO and what they're doing legislatively in your state. Hang in there, we'll be right back.
Speaker 6:TRAO is the national association representing the US towing and recovery industry. We act as the voice of America's towing industry by offering representation, education and leadership at the federal level. Much of our focus is on representing the interest of the towing and recovery industry on Capitol Hill, including promoting positive legislation and opposing potentially negative legislation. Traa is the industry's watchdog on Capitol Hill.
Speaker 6:There are so many compelling reasons to be a T-R-A-A member. Besides being the right thing to do, membership gives you exclusive member benefits worth thousands of dollars a year, including exclusive T-R-A-A member discounts from our featured partners, such as Coast Fuel Cards, ev Clever, app, toe Book, wreckmaster, toe Cert, haas Alert Zips. We Buy Key Fobs, auto Data Direct and Fleet Compliance Solutions, free advertising in our national membership directory and online directory, email updates, invitations to exclusive events and scholarship access. But best of all, you are pouring back into the industry to assure we together make it stronger for generations to come. A special thank you to our partner Gay Rochester of INA Towing for her continued ongoing support service to TRAA and her commitment to safety for our industry. With one over lose none Become a National Association member today at traaonlinecom.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. Of course you know you're listening to Toll Professional on the Go podcast. This is the number one podcast in the touring recovery industry and it's because of you. Every week, darren does his very best to bring you informative information like this one with Bruce Bender. To bring you informative information like this one with Bruce Bender, remember, we're available on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia or wherever you get your podcasts. So, darren, if I could, I want to go back and ask Bruce to tell us a little bit more about Thursday and then just to touch on my favorite, which is the Injured Drivers Fund. I want all of our listeners to know.
Speaker 1:Four years ago I took that same lesson the Injured Driver Fund.
Speaker 1:I spoke at a convention for corporate installers and I told them what Bruce does about TRAO and what Bruce Bender does for the Injured Driver Fund, and they started putting together an Injured Carpet Installer Fund, because some of these people break a leg or they stumble coming out of the truck or they miscarry something into a home, and that fund is now one of the most popular things they do and that's the reason why I hope other associations will learn to do what Ohio does, because that is brilliant, because there's nobody there to help you pay your electric bill when you're out because you got a broken leg.
Speaker 1:There's nobody there to help you when you got a broken arm, but this fund does so with that bruce. Let me go and ask the next question, because we want to talk about the events like on on Thursday, the Celebration of Life. We've already talked a little bit about that, but if you could do a little bit more about the Little Towers and the Beach Party and why we have so many things for children's affairs, because this is the number one family show of the year compared to all of them florida, the baltimore show, all these other shows are nothing compared to this for families and you know what we really pride ourselves.
Speaker 3:we really pride ourselves on that because you know bottom line, you know family, family, family comes first and uh, you know, and that, and that's why that's why these guys are out there putting their lives on the line is is not for their own self benefit, it's for their families and for the families that are out on the roadways and everything. So it's it's really about the families and and the towing industry is one huge family, you know it's I've always felt that way since I've been involved in the towing industry is one huge family. You know, I've always felt that way since I've been involved in the towing industry it's a big family. So, yeah, we pride ourselves in that. We like to have events that are family friendly. That's one of the reasons we're at the Great Wolf Lodge. You can not only come and do business, but you can also go enjoy the water park. There's the hallways with the kids events where they have the wands that they can go around and search for different stations to tap and everything. Um, and then we have, as you said, dj, we have kids, kids nights, so that, um, uh, you know, after the show closes. So the show hours on Friday and Saturday are 11, five 11 to five each day for the exhibits, but after that we always keep things rolling clear up into the night.
Speaker 3:So there's always something going on, such as on Friday. We have what you just touched base on the Injured Drivers Fund. We have a fun auction. There's a cash bar in there. People have a great time. We have food. A lot of great items get auctioned off. A lot of people bring in really neat things and donate to the auction. We have a live licensed auctioneer that's there doing the event and everything strongly that. The injured drivers fund is something of necessity and it makes me feel great that your carpet association is has picked that up and is doing that because you know when these guys are down that they need that help and and that's what it's there for. But the the during those hours where the injured drivers fund auction is going on and and that's some fun adult time we pay people to come in and babysit that have had background checks and everything. They come in and babysit and do a lot of fun things with your kids. So, like on Friday night from 5, 30 to 10, we have Little Towers Beach Party where they'll have a bunch of fun games hot dogs, chips, juice boxes, cookies and a lot of fun games to do. And we do that on Saturday. When the show's over on Saturday or when the exhibit hall is over on Saturday, we'll have an awards banquet that night and everything where we do the different trophies and plaques and awards and everything. Well, we have Little Towers movie night and pajama party that night. They can wear their fun pajamas. They'll have a big screen TV in there with a fun movie. They'll have pizza, cookies, juice boxes, popcorn and all that. So they get entertained and have a good time both nights, giving the adults time to enjoy some adult time and everything.
Speaker 3:And keep in mind, we have something going on every night Thursday, friday and Saturday. Friday night we have I mean Thursday night we have that celebration of life. We have the candlelight vigil, we have live entertainment there. The live entertainment will feature Mark Walker, which is a local tow owner, towing company owner. He'll be playing the bass guitar. He'll be there doing that. He's been asking for a while to come in and play for his fellow towers and everything. So he's coming in.
Speaker 3:You know, friday night we'll have band. We'll have Texas Hold'em after the Indoor Drivers Auction so you can go play Texas Hold'em if that's what you would prefer to do, or you can come out and be a part of the parking lot party. At 9 am on Friday We'll have our lighted-up light show, where all the guys out in the parking lot turn on all the lights and it just gets lit up. It's beautiful out there. We have judges that'll go around and be judging the trucks on their lights and everything like that. We have our 50-50 each night on Friday and Saturday, and then Saturday night after the awards presentation banquet and everything from 8 pm till midnight. Everybody asked for it, so you better get out there and do it.
Speaker 3:We're bringing back the karaoke. We're going to have parking lot carry luck karaoke going on, so, and that gets to be a hoot if you haven't been there and participated in it, it gets to be a hoot. These guys have a great time. You. You might even you might even catch one of our board members up there, uh, sing a madonna song. You know he, he. Things get riled up when the beer starts flowing, but no, it's a good time and you know, and everything like that. And you guys have been there, all three of you, you know Darren and, and then our producer, chuck I mean all of you have been to the show, you guys know yeah.
Speaker 2:Chuck's been up there and got a bird's eye view playing it the last couple of years, and we got to listen to his band jam out.
Speaker 5:And oh my goodness.
Speaker 2:And the light show. Let me tell you, between that, that is what really, during that time time, everybody turns their music on. You've got the lights going, all the families wander out in the parking lot, start checking out all the different trucks. You hear the different owners talking to others about their trucks, different scenarios, and it's that's always what cemented it. For me, man, this is what just really boils you over with pride about the industry, because you see the smile on everybody's face. You see, from the little ones to the oldest ones there, to the grandmothers and grandfathers that are out. You know watching their grandchildren and their new rigs. So it's really something else. And let's talk about the beauty contest. I mean, every year I've ever come to the Midwest Regional, bruce. That's been the place to have your truck to get it judged. Man, I remember one year you had who was it? Zorro's, there with fish in the headlights.
Speaker 3:They were fish swimming around in the headlights. Yes, and it was awesome. It was awesome.
Speaker 2:We've seen some neat stuff at that at your beauty contest.
Speaker 3:So much pride taken in there in their trucks and everything, and and you know I I just I love it. I try to get out there and ride around to see them because I mean it's amazing Some of the ideas that people come up with and and how much pride they take in their equipment. And I mean it may be, you know, a light duty, light duty trucks out there. You may see rollbacks. You'll see, you know, medium duty, heavy duty, there'll be antique trucks out there. I mean all of these guys out there showing off their stuff and and getting judged for the beauty contest, and I mean it's, it's always such a great time.
Speaker 2:It is man, let me tell you. And let me tell you, uh, tro, ao, they do not skimp on their trophies. So, um, if you get an opportunity to get your truck there and get it entered and judged, um, you're going to be smiling when you leave. Um, they, their trophies are gorgeous and, uh, something that'll really make you proud. And another thing we do is we feature we will feature this year the winners of those beauty contests in Tow Professional Magazine so you'll get to see those again. So, make sure you bring your truck truck, so every class is going to get judged there and we'll have some pages set aside to showcase the, the winners there.
Speaker 2:Uh, from the trao show it's. I always love going to midwest regional and guys, let me tell you, they set the kids up, like you said, the, the way you guys do that, they, they get them, uh, they feed them, put a good in, have them events that they can do and the, you know, the moms and dads can go out there and just have a great time and fellowship more with towers. So, love, love, going to the event. Bruce.
Speaker 3:Thank you, thank you, and it's it's my turn to put some pressure on somebody. So I'm going to, I'm going to put DJ on the spot here on a podcast and he can't be edited out on this, so I don't want to ever forget that we do. One of the big things that I really like is we have different people coming in doing trainings and seminars at our show seminars at our show and so DJ is put on the spot because he had offered a while back if I ever needed, if I ever wanted him to come do a seminar, he'd come out of retirement on seminars and come. So guess what? Dj, right here, live on the air.
Speaker 1:You're doing seminars at our show this year, whether you know it or not, there buddy, I wanted you to tell our 20,000 listeners that there was a guy that did karaoke that night who got up and sang Toe man, and Toe Force videoed it, and so now I have a copy of I'm a Tow man Just like the Blues Brothers, but I was. I'm a. Tow man. Yes, that's awesome. Yeah, we'll do a seminar on what's happening now and ways to market and how to keep a good employee. That sounds awesome. That sounds awesome.
Speaker 1:Keeping a good employee is so important today because when you get a good one, other people want to steal them. Yeah, so you keep that good one with you. Yes, copy the rest and imitate the best.
Speaker 3:That's exactly right.
Speaker 1:That's part of it, but I'd be happy to do it.
Speaker 3:That's awesome. I appreciate you, and we always have a lot of the seminars and trainings on Friday and Saturdays yes, all day they usually start. The seminars usually start before the exhibit hall even opens. That way people can go register and then go ahead and head on over and get some seminars in and then hit the show floor. But also on Thursday, before the show, every year Perry Beatty does a class out. It's partly in classroom training and then he has the hands-on out in the parking lot and it's an all-day class with Flow Stop and it's hazmat class. He does that every year on Thursday. So we have trainings and seminars going on Thursday, friday and Saturday. So a good place to come and gain a lot of extra knowledge or freshen up on some things.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, and I want to tell all our listeners that the exhibitors in their booths does the same type of thing. So you go by and they'll say every hour on the hour I'm going to be doing this, or every other hour I'm going to be doing a class. So come by and they're like 20, 25 minute classes. Yes, how to use their product, because I've always found that the Midwest regional toe show is the aisle of assistance. When you go by and visit an exhibitor, he teaches you you way to be safe out on the white line. So when you kiss a loved one goodbye in the morning, there's a reason why we want you home that night that's we don't want to be adding to the wall of the fallen.
Speaker 1:So, going to a show, you learn about the new products that are being out there. You learn about the new light systems that are being out there. You learn about the new light systems that are being out there and all of a sudden you say, oh my goodness, I didn't know that I could have this. This is an inexpensive piece of equipment that I can add to my truck and keep another person safe. Who's working the white line? Oh, it's.
Speaker 2:It's something else, dj, and you know, in a lot of seminars you go to at other shows you have to pay for. It costs money to get into those seminars to be able to get that extra training. And here it's offered to you. They want you to have it, so Great.
Speaker 1:So $79 or $99. And now it's up to $29. Woo Corporate show. And you said, wait a minute, you know, and the exhibitor? Here's the nice thing about the Midwest Regional Toe Show If you're from the state of Georgia you don't have a toe show. You need to go up there and learn what they do, so down the line you'll be able to maybe have a show. It's a fantastic family event and, of course, you and I think it's the most family-friendly show. And Wolf Lodge has everything. They have the best food. They have so much entertainment for your children. They will never, ever forget it, never.
Speaker 3:Yep, you're absolutely correct.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's right so we take the topic Beautiful weather and 47th year.
Speaker 2:So vendors, guys, make sure you give Bruce a call 513-831-7469 for more information on the show or midwesttoshoworg. All the information's up there. There's schedule of events. You can register online. It gives you the rules. You can look at photos of last year. You can even click and get your exhibitor packet right there online.
Speaker 2:So no excuses, I'll be pulling up, I'll see you there. I remember I was going to say Bruce. I remember last year I pulled up in the parking lot as Perry Beatty was out there doing the hazmat responder training and he was doing the cargo tanker class. And let me tell you, guys, if y'all haven't the men and women out there, if you haven't attended one of his classes before you get an opportunity, make sure you sign up for this one. Perry does a tremendous job and this is something that just puts more dollars in your pocket by having another stream.
Speaker 2:And when we look back at COVID, there you couldn't make a tow. Back then during COVID, there was not a lot of people traveling and you had to rely on other streams of the business that you had generated. Well, at least if you're there and you're there on a tow and they need hazmat cleanup. If you're certified. You're not waiting on anybody. You're cleaning that up yourself and you're making dollars there on both sides that you can bill for. So make sure, if you get a chance, sign up for perry's course. It's a great course. You might see me out there if he ropes me in like he did last year and has me stand out in the parking lot do photos of the whole thing. You might catch me in it as well, but I've been with saying that. I've been through the class at least three times now from, uh, the past photo shoots and that's why I can say I absolutely recommend it all right, let's take a break.
Speaker 1:When we come back from the break, it'll be our final segment, but we need to talk about the hawaiian luau that's going on saturday for the women and what the training is going to be. So everyone, hang tight. Even if you're a guy, learn about the hula dancers that are going to be here at the Midwest regional toe show.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. As you know, you're listening to Talk Professional on the Go podcast. Remember to like, review and share everywhere. We cannot thank you enough for telling other towers about the podcast and non-towers that are listening. We have over 731 outside the United States that are on a regular basis and I can't thank you enough for that. Remember we have a podcast hotline in the studio. It's 706-409-5603.
Speaker 1:Leg down and I know an industry expert you'd like to hear, like a Bruce Bender, who is very knowledgeable and really loves the industry and that's why the Midwest Regional Toe Show is so successful. But just call us and if your association has news you need to have on the podcast, let Darren and I know 706-409-5603. All right, before I went to break, and Darren and I know 706-409-5603. All right, before I went to break, and Darren and I I want to ask you about on Saturday, the WTRAO has the Hawaiian luau and they have these dancers coming in. It's very inexpensive to learn how to dance and you give away prizes for people who dress up in this outfit ahead of time so they can learn how to do the Hawaiian. You know stuff, bruce. Tell our listeners about it.
Speaker 3:You just kind of run the whole dance for everybody else, because when you said we give away prizes, I saw Darren's eyes open up, wide open. Now I know Darren's going to be in there with coconuts and a grass skirt.
Speaker 1:now, on this one you know, no, your son would, though your son would put two coconuts on. I know that.
Speaker 3:So the WTREO, which is the Women of the Toowing and Recovery Association of Ohio. They always have a great luncheon every year, and this year it's going to be a luau theme, and they've actually hired a group of professional Polynesian dancers that will be coming in and doing the. Is it the hula dance or the luau dance?
Speaker 3:Whatever the dance is, I just know you are going to have a great time in there and they're going to have. You know, the dancers are not only going to do the dance, but for the women or men that are in that luncheon that want to learn how to do the dance, they're actually going to be there helping you to learn how to to do it. So it should be a blast. And they always have uh, they always have good food while that's going on. There's, there's just a lot of fun. They usually have a bunch of good door prizes. I mean, every every year when I see the women coming back out after the event, they they're always smiling and laughing and having a good time because they enjoyed themselves so much while they were in there, and WTRAO puts a lot of hard work and efforts into making sure that these women can have a great time. So you know what? Don't miss it. It's going to be a great time for everybody.
Speaker 1:Now, Bruce, are they going to have like they had in the past, where Jeremy Phoenix dresses up in those outfits? You know, safety gear.
Speaker 3:They haven't let me in on that little secret yet, so I'm kind of letting them handle everything on there while I'm handling everything else. So I have no clue. You might see that you might see Darren in a grass skirt. You just never know. Well, I just think you're going to see DJ in a grass skirt.
Speaker 1:No, no, no, it's bad enough. I don't wear one of those outfits, but I'm going to tell you Jeremy from Phoenix. I'm telling you he might be the guy that is out there with a hula hoop, but one time he was Dr Love. He's friends with Darren, so you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:I remember one year I got in there guys and took some photos for the magazine and was sworn to secrecy, told I could not use them, and you would see why. A lot of the ladies came out just laughing and grinning ear to ear. It was something. So make sure, if your wife's there, make sure you sign her up and get her over to that event because she will have a fantastic, fantastic time. So, bruce, I want to do this, I want to run through this again because it's an awesome schedule. So this year the events are open 11 to 5. You've got the kids activities that can get registered from 12 to 2 for the beauty contest and for kids activities. You've got the 530 to 7 on Friday night. You've got the TRAO injured driver fund auction. We've got from 530 to 7 on Friday night. You've got the TRAO Injured Driver Fund Auction. We've got from 5.30 to 10, the Little Towers Beach Party. That's for your kids, mom and Dad, bring them fun and games, hot dogs, chips, juice boxes, cookies I might sign up for that one myself, I don't know. Also from 7 to 11, parking Lot Party Also from seven to 11 parking lot party, that's. That's going to be a good time. Music, live band for everybody, cash bar snacks a great time. That's Friday night. And then also, as always, they have the Texas Hold'em. That's something that goes on to the wee hours and has been talked about but never written about as of yet. So it's a good time for all. Make sure you sign up for it.
Speaker 2:And then, friday night, the thing I absolutely love is the Light it Up light show. That's at nine o'clock and then at 10, they do their 50-50 drawing from the band stage and they'll have a band wide open and going. So that's Friday night. And then they bring this all the way through Saturday. So there's going to be a kids mini rodeo 11-15 Saturday. You've got your exhibits open again 11-5. They've also got the silent auction that ends at 4 o'clock. They've got some tremendous gifts there, so make sure you stop by and check that out. And then they've got the Little Towers movie night.
Speaker 2:Saturday night 530 to 10 o'clock pajama party. Don't want to miss that If you're a Little Tower. They'll have the presentations for the awards six to eight o'clock on Saturday night and then, like Bruce said, this is a hoot from eight to midnight Karaoke. That's something you don't want to miss. Sit out there with a cold drink and just watch along. It's something to behold and a lot of fun and everybody has just had. Everybody, the kids, the families have had a great, great time with it. So there's the top of the events, guys. And Thursday you've got set up 10 to five and then the celebration of life right after that at five 30 that we'll line up for.
Speaker 2:So all I can't say it enough. Make sure you support your association and step out, support these association tow shows. These are the ones that are giving back to the industry. Yes, I've had one before. I had the Southern Tow Expo. We did that before COVID. That was a corporate show, guys. I own Tow Professional Magazine. I gave back in an opportunity I had through bringing the state associations in, feeding them and having meetings there. But it's nothing like an association show with the outreach they have for legislation, injured drivers, survivor funds and so on. So I can't say it enough Make sure you get to Midwest Toast Show Org and sign up today, register and make sure you attend the event. It helps the industry we're a part of and with that I'll come back to you, bruce, for anything we missed out on so far on this interview.
Speaker 3:Well and again, if your pen wasn't fast enough to keep up with the schedule events, just go to the wwwmidwesttowshoworg. They were having some trouble with some of their internet carriers that when they first try to bring it up it gives them an alert on it. I have checked with our guy that builds the website and there's no problems with it. It's just that some internet carriers have extra securities on there. So you can refresh it and it'll usually go away and it'll bring it up. So you can go on and get that. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call 513-831-7469. And if it's easier to remember, it's 513-831-SHOW S-H-O-W. So, and I'd be glad to answer questions for you at any point, if anybody wants to reach out and email me, bruce at t-r-a-o dot o-r-g. I'll answer any questions. I can that way also, but other than that, we're looking forward to a great show.
Speaker 3:Being back at the Great Wolf, I just talked with the lady today. There's just a handful of rooms there on site. We have other hotels in the area, some within walking distance, that are listed on the website that you can take a look at. I have them listed by order of distance from the Great Wolf, so please come out and see us. I think we have the absolute best exhibitors and attendees of any show out there and, of course, we have the best promoters right here. So thank you.
Speaker 2:Hey, you're certainly welcome, Bruce and guys, this is only four weeks. I'm looking at it right now on the ticker, four weeks, 12 hours away. I'm going to have to get my bag out and start packing now. Well, you might see me next week. I will be at the Mid-Atlantic Toe Expo in North Carolina. You'll see me there. I'll come back, wash the clothes, pet the dogs, pet a cat, wave at the family and be back out for the Midwest Regional Toe Show and then you can catch Toe Professional right after that at the Chattanooga Toe Show.
Speaker 2:September keeps us busy and early October, but, just like Bruce, we love getting out there. We love seeing the passion behind the industry and seeing our folks out there that just have a heart for service, that just love helping folks. Man, when it comes down to it, this is a family industry. It's built on values. It's built on values. It's built on morality. It's built on family, deep Christian raising and just families wanting to help others. So this is something we want to support. Make sure you're at the association show this year, anything else, dj. Before we go, sir.
Speaker 1:No, buddy, I'm just going to tell you I look forward to seeing everyone there, and this is the biggest family show. Bring your family and you'll be glad you did. It's the best gift you could ever give anybody. Bring them to a show where you'll be proud that you're in this industry. Yes, all right, my friend, I'll turn it over to you to do what you do best.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir. Well, as always, I want to end with a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for every one of our vendors. I thank you for every one of our businesses that are in this industry, that get up on a daily basis and make products and distribute products to make this a safer industry, and one that can deliver on a daily basis and make products and distribute products to make this a safer industry. And one that can deliver on a daily basis for the loved ones that we have out there. Dear Heavenly Father, bless them with ideas, bless them with information that will help them grow the market and bring more safety to the industry. And, dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for every one of our men and women that are out there serving. We thank you for the family members that are here having to run a business when the breadwinner is out of state and at a toast show and having to do things to generate business for the family. We ask for their protection during travels. And, dear Heavenly Father, bring those men and women back and forth as they go and come, helping our loved ones out there. Bring them back safe, increase them their wisdom, their knowledge, their finances, their spirituality and bless them for putting their lives out there to serve our loved ones. Amen, as always.
Speaker 2:Listeners, we thank every one of you. God bless you for following Toe Professional. You've helped make the magazine number one in industry. You've helped make the Toe Professional podcast first off the only owned podcast owned by a publisher in industry and also number one in the market, reaching over 20,000, eight countries worldwide. And it's because of listeners like yourself. Make sure, if you see me at the show, stop by, say hi. You just know I'm awful with names. I remember faces, but stop by and say hi to me. We appreciate every one of you. We love hearing the stories in the industry and I love hearing what we can do more to help you. Make sure you see us at the Midwest Regional Show, september the 25th through the 27th in Mason, ohio. I'll be there and if you're not, I'll write about you in the magazine. So make sure you register now. Thanks and God bless you.