If you’re attending NTEA’s Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit for the first time (October 13-14), you may be wondering what to expect — and how to make the most of two days surrounded by OEMs, upfitters, and other industry professionals.
My advice is simple: don’t just show up. Be intentional about how you use the opportunity.
For those of us in Generation Next, events like the Summit can accelerate the learning that normally happens gradually on the job. You have access to people who understand the products, technical challenges and changes shaping our industry — often all in the same room.
Here are three things I’d tell any first-time attendee.
1. Ask questions — even if you think you should already know the answer
One of the biggest advantages of Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit is direct access to chassis OEMs and industry experts. Take advantage of it.
Listen for the information that connects to what you do every day, but also pay attention to what you don’t know. If an OEM discusses a product change you don’t completely understand, ask about it. If an education session raises a question about how something applies to your company or customers, speak up.
Early in your career, it can be tempting to stay quiet because everyone else seems to know more than you do. Chances are, someone else in the room has the same question.
I always love seeing new equipment or a machine that I’ve never seen before or don’t know much about. Even if I don’t have intent to buy, I am always eager to learn more about different products because those products could help one of my customers in the future, and if I can supply that information, I’m creating value!
The more you understand about the vehicles, equipment and processes beyond your own role, the better prepared you’ll be to solve problems and participate confidently in conversations back at your company.
2. Talk to people outside your usual circle
Some of the most valuable conversations at an industry event aren’t necessarily the ones on the schedule.
CVUS brings together people from different parts of the commercial vehicle ecosystem, which makes it a great opportunity to learn how someone else sees the industry. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at breakfast or lunch. Attend the Industry Reception. Talk with people at the OEM and industry displays.
You don’t need an elaborate networking strategy. Start with what you have in common: Why are you here? What are you hoping to learn? What challenges are you seeing in your part of the industry?
It’s easy to talk to people you already know, but it’s imperative to keep building your network. At Work Truck Week, I met a sales rep from an OEM simply because I went up and started asking questions, Now, we connect a few times a year when customers are seeing certain patterns, and we work together to help address their concerns. It’s a valuable relationship I never would have made if I hadn’t taken that first step and started a conversation.
Building an industry network doesn’t happen at one event. It happens one conversation at a time.
3. Bring something back with you
Before you leave CVUS, ask yourself: What did I learn here that I can use?
Maybe it’s an OEM update that will affect an upcoming project. Maybe it’s something you learned about truck weight analysis, hydraulics or another technical topic. Maybe it’s a contact who can help answer a question in the future. Or maybe you simply have a better understanding of how another part of the industry works.
Write down a few takeaways and share them with your team when you return.
That last step matters. Professional development isn’t just about collecting information. It’s about applying what you learn, sharing it with others and gradually becoming someone your colleagues can turn to for insight.
For Generation Next members, that’s a big part of what opportunities like CVUS are about. Learn as much as you can. Meet people. Ask questions. Then take that knowledge back to your company and put it to work.
And if you see me there, come say hello.