Jason Ritchey
NTEA Board Chair
President/Owner
Curry Supply Co.
(Altoona, Pennsylvania)
This article was published in the April 2024 edition of NTEA News.
Work Truck Week 2024 … what a week it was! There was such a high level of energy from the event kick-off with Green Truck Summit, to the educational program, Opening Reception, Annual Meeting and more. The exhibit hall and New Exhibitor Pavilion were abuzz with industry products and news. If you were there, you know what I mean. And if you weren’t there, make sure to put Work Truck Week 2025 (March 4–7, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana) on your to do list. As a 25-year veteran of the commercial vehicle community — and as NTEA’s 2024–2025 Board Chair — it was exciting to once again experience the best of our industry as we gathered in Indianapolis.
While there was so much to see and do during WTW24, here are a few highlights from a really great week.
Exhibit hall
Walking the show floor is always a highlight for me. Being able to connect with the people who are the foundation and drivers of our industry is invaluable. Exhibitors shared their latest innovations from cutting-edge technologies to revolutionary new products. The sheer diversity and quality on display underscored the passion and ingenuity of our industry as a whole. I heard from so many exhibitors and attendees who echoed this sentiment.
Educational sessions
Whether you are a seasoned professional or are new to the work truck industry, the educational program offers opportunities to gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the latest trends and developments shaping our industry. Sessions covered a variety of topics such as OEM chassis updates, vehicle certification, government regulations, vehicle propulsion, fleet management, market trends and workforce development. And Green Truck Summit offered a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges of the drive toward an efficient and sustainable future for the commercial vehicle industry.
Special events
Special events such as the WTW24 Opening Reception and NTEA’s Annual Meeting provide a fantastic opportunity for networking and relationship-building. This year, the Opening Reception returned to Lucas Oil Stadium where attendees were able to connect and have some fun at the venue, which hosted Super Bowl XLVI. And speaking of football, Annual Meeting featured NFL Hall of Fame running backs Jerome Bettis and Emmitt Smith as this year’s keynote speakers. I was thrilled to moderate the Q&A session with these legendary champions, who shared their insights on teamwork, perseverance and leadership, inspiring us all to strive for greatness both on and off the field.
During Annual Meeting, I also accepted the gavel from outgoing NTEA Board Chair David Scheitlin. I’m grateful to David, and our outgoing and current NTEA Board members, for their leadership and service to our industry.
Work Truck Week 2024 was a true testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in driving success in today’s competitive landscape. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this vibrant and important industry and am looking forward to the year ahead serving as your NTEA Board Chair.