In 2004 we were working on making our final decision about entering the expediting arena.  The Expedite Expo was being advertised in Detroit, Michigan and we were deciding if we could afford the time to fly to Detroit from SW Kansas for the two-day event.  The decision was a difficult one in August as we had a lawn care business and taking two days off in the summer meant working over time before and after those two days to double up on the lawns that did not get mowed.  We made the right decision and the rest is history.
 
In 2004 the Expedite Expo was held outside in a large tent with the workshops being held inside the Detroiter.  Since the Expo has moved to Wilmington, OH and has both inside and outside exhibits.  We attended the Expo with our ears and eyes wide open and pen and paper in my hand to document the answers we received.   The Expedite Expo is the perfect place to make a life changing decision, as there are truck dealers, recruiters, experienced expediters, and people just like us that were considering a career change. 
 
From the time the show opened our day was full, we attended all of the workshops, we visited all of the recruiters, and we talked to any drivers we could find.  At that time we knew we were going to buy a truck and we talked with all of the truck vendors and sleeper manufactures.   Before we left the Expo we had a company, brand of truck, and sleeper in mind.
 
When I look back over the past ten plus years as an Expediter, truck owner, and being self employed I realize how many good decisions we made and most of them have there roots in what we learned in 2004 and all of the Expedite Expo's since that we have attended.  We are getting ready to attend our eleventh.
 
In 2004 we attended the workshops full of excitement and anticipation and now we present many of those same workshops and still remember that excitement when we talk to the attendees.  We preformed our due diligence and the results are what we had hoped for.  We spent ten years with our first company of choice, we are still driving the brand of truck we chose, and we now have the brand of sleeper we worked to obtain.  I can only wonder where will be in another ten years.
 
How our lives have changed since 2004 and we still look forward to going to work.  I would never have guessed in 2004 that I would be writing a blog from a parking lot that I cannot discuss, hauling freight I cannot discuss, and traveling to places that are not discussed!  So from my undisclosed location to yours if you are considering expediting we will see you at the Expedite Expo 2015!  We along with Henry Albert will be at the Expedite Expo to talk trucks and trucking.
 
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Expedite Expo 2015

Comments (6)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

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I will have to post a picture as she is looking very spiffy! On Expediters Online I have two pictures of what our truck looked like at the Expo and what she looks like this year! http://www.expeditersonline.com/blogs/its_a_teams_life/

July 23, 2015 7:24:15 AM

Sounds like a great time and a great opportunity to network. Just don't let anyone scratch my future truck investment :)

July 21, 2015 19:09:49 PM

Craig we have met some very interesting people at the Expo and many we are still very good friends with. Each year as it draws near I wonder who we will meet and also who will be there that we know. We just got word that some very good friends of ours got a load to near the area and they will be there! Going to be a lot of fun.

July 18, 2015 18:16:57 PM

One of these days......

July 17, 2015 7:57:37 AM

Craig the Expedite Expo is great! During the day there is a lot going on,people to see, and workshops to attend. In the evening it is great to relax and visit with friends and catch up. It is a one of a kind of show and something to look forward to.

July 16, 2015 19:06:46 PM

I hope Expedite Expo is a huge success. Sounds like you and Bob are starting your own Expedite ghost fleet!

July 16, 2015 8:44:16 AM