Truck Blue Book hosting 25th conference

Dealers, industry suppliers and fleet executives will all be among the participants in the 25th annual Truck Blue Book Conference in Las Vegas on June 6 and 7.

A mix of educational seminars and networking events for anyone interested in the used truck market, this year's conference will kick off with a heavy truck auction. Designed as an opportunity “to make money from attending the show,” according to Terry Williams, Truck Blue Book editor and conference manager, it will be run by Manheim Auctions. “Last year — the first time we held an auction — they sold 125 trucks,” says Williams. “This year there will be over 100 offered.”

Among the seminars during the two-day event will be an update by a U.S. Internal Revenue Service speaker on recent changes impacting payment of the highway user tax, followed by a presentation on how dealers can attract new sales employees among younger people, women and minorities.

The second day's educational sessions will include a look at how the current driver shortage might impact used truck sales, especially to owner-operators, and an overview of new alternative fuel and fuel economy technologies for the heavy truck market.

The keynote speaker for this year's Blue Book conference will be Texas Tech head basketball coach Bobby Knight. With 880 wins over his 41-yr. coaching career, Knight will talk about motivation and living up to high expectations.

For registration information, go to www.usedtruckseminar.com.