This article was originally published in the February 2022 issue of Generation Next Edition
NTEA Generation Next's Brian Guillerault (LinkedIn) answers questions on professional development opportunities.
What takeaways have you gained by attending Work Truck Week and the Generation Next Workshops?
Although I’ve only attended a few times, I started going because I saw the event as an opportunity to learn more about an industry that I was new to, as well as to meet our suppliers and vendors in person. But from being that first show, I discovered that there are so many more benefits from attending. Those benefits will differ depending on the type of company that you work for, but if you’re in the work truck industry, Work Truck Week is a can’t-miss event.
If you’re still on the fence about going, here a list of benefits of attending Work Truck Week:
- It’s a chance to meet face-to-face with suppliers, customers and colleagues. In-person meetings are the best way to get to know people, network and develop strong relationships.
- You also get to see new product and equipment offerings (hello, electrification!) from your current suppliers or service providers. You also get a chance to see what the competition is doing. Either way, it’s a great chance to develop your product expertise and find new business opportunities or ways to innovate.
- NTEA puts a lot of time and effort into providing premier content and speakers for the educational sessions, special sessions and Green Truck Summit, and they never disappoint. There is such a wide array of topics available. My advice is to pick a session that covers a topic you’re interested in or want to learn more about.
Specific to Generation Next, the Workshop is by far the best educational session that I attend each year. It’s incredibly valuable whether it’s your first show or you are a Gen Next Board Member. These sessions dive deep into topics like accountability, leadership, team building, and effective communication. I’m especially looking forward to this year’s Generation Next Leadership Workshop: AAAs of Successful Leaders with Alex Molden. Additionally, after the leadership workshop there is a networking reception where you can grab a drink and get a chance to talk with other Generation Next Members. We hope to see you there!
What can people do to prepare for the event?
The first thing I would do is download the WTW22 App on your phone! I get the new app every year and use the Planner to plan out all aspects of my show. The app is great - you can create a schedule, save exhibitors, products, sessions, and other resources just by clicking the plus (+) sign next to the company or session name. The app is such a great tool to keep you organized and have the best experience possible.
A few other things I would do to prepare for the upcoming show:
- Bring a pad of paper and a pen so you can take notes during the sessions.
- Bring business cards to hand out.
- Dress professionally, but make sure you have comfortable shoes. You’re going to do a lot of walking throughout the day.
- Put a list together (or save them to the app) of the companies, products, or people that you need to see during the show and check them off as you go.
What opportunities exist for people who aren’t able to attend?
If you’re not able to attend, don’t worry! There are plenty of online resources available after the show to keep you up to date on what you missed. Just visit NTEA.com for webinars, whitepapers, online training tools like TE101, TE201, TE Electrical Basics, & more.
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