I just got back from the Expedite Expo in Lexington, KY.  The annual show has been held in Wilmington, OH since its inception in 2001, but outgrew the venue there and was moved to the Lexington Center for the first time this year.  It is the only trade event that focuses solely on the expedited trucking industry. 

The expedited sector of the trucking industry is one that gives preferential service to customers at a much higher price.  These loads are usually mission critical and require much more specialized attention.  These premium services can include team drivers, temperature control, special care, increased security and critical pickup and delivery windows.  The large variety in the loads keep it very interesting. 

Many times, expediters are called upon when something goes wrong.  A manufacturing plant may need a critical part that will halt production – it is then that the expediters are called.  They are the 911 of the freight industry.  They also transport many sensitive items for the military.  There is no need to say anymore on that - they do not need any attention as they move these items from point A to B.  Just ask an expediter about the most interesting thing they transported.  If they can talk about, I assure you it’ll be very interesting. 

The quality of expedite drivers is quickly noticeable.  Their appearance is professional with very few exceptions.  There are many husband and wife teams and we all know that men act and dress better when women are around.  Many times, expediters have to wait a few days for a load - as is the nature of being the freight industry’s 911.  This allows them to get caught up on rest, maintain the truck and get ready for the next freight emergency.  This is very important because most expediters stay on the road for months at a time. 

The Expedite Expo showcased the latest trucks and specialty sleepers.  These custom sleepers are especially important to expediters because of their long periods of time away from home and living in the truck.  The expedited carriers were looking for more prospective expediters to join their ranks.  Load 1, Fed Ex Custom Critical, Panther and Landstar Express America among others, were there recruiting and displaying their equipment.  Expediters held workshops during the show, educating those that want to join the industry and those that wanted to improve within the industry.  I know of no other truck show that allows and promotes access to the actual drivers doing the job.  Traditional truck shows emphasize equipment and products, but the Expedite Expo focused on people.  Niche markets like expediting are well known for treating its drivers better than traditional trucking companies.  If you are looking for more respect within the trucking industry, then give expediting a look.  Higher mileage rates, lower costs to operate – what’s not to like?

Comments (3)

Joey Slaughter

Joey Slaughter is the owner of Blue Ridge Transport, LLC. Joey has been in the trucking industry since 1992.

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Thanks for the comments Linda and Stephen. It was a great time.

July 23, 2016 18:20:57 PM

Very well put Joey. We are are one of those older second career folks as Linda said. We always enjoy the Expo. It is smaller and you can spend more time talking to people and vendors. We attended our first Expo in 2012 and met Bob and Linda who mentored us during the whole Expo....well they are still mentoring us to this day. The thing we like in Expediting is meeting other Expediter's while on the road, we seem to be a family out here and seek each other out.

July 22, 2016 9:27:45 AM

Joey I could not agree with you more after attending our first Expedite Expo in 2004 we knew we had found the area of trucking that fit us. Expediting is not for the feint of heart as the income is volatile and we never know where we will be from one minute to the next. That is probably why most of the people that are expediters are older second career people and team with their spouse.

July 22, 2016 5:07:10 AM