Auto Shows for Fun and Profit

This is a big week for auto lovers around the country. Not only is the huge Pebble Beach affair, Concors d'Elegance, going on in California today through Sunday, but the more down-to-Earth and hot-rod-friendly Woodward Dream Cruise is taking place today through Saturday as well. Each big truck maker — Chevy, Ford and Ram Truck — will have displays and sponsored events throughout the route, but if these types of auto shows don't interest you, there are plenty of other choices. 

In fact, attending a big truck show is a great way to find out more about the truck you want, the truck you have, or a truck that could be in your future. And one of the biggest (in its 14th year now) is the Great American Trucking Show at the Dallas Convention Center Aug. 23 to 25. This is a must-see event if you're a long-haul trucker, but it's also for those with "smaller" rigs, too; it isn't just about Class 8 big rigs. 

This year, in conjunction with GATS, there will be a ProPickup Truck Expo running at the same time, sponsored by our friends at ProPickup Magazine. This expo will focus on full-size pickups and the industries they serve, like construction, contracting, utility and professional landscaping.  

“The ProPickup Truck Expo will give attendees the opportunity to talk with manufacturers whose products make pickups more efficient and better performers on and off the road,” says Dan Tidwell, senior vice president and group publisher of the Randall-Reilly Construction Media Group.

In addition to showcasing hundreds of aftermarket automotive products and vehicles on display, the expo will provide educational seminars, called SmartSessions, led by industry leaders and experts in the automotive aftermarket.

“Our SmartSessions will cover a wide range of topics of interest to pickup owners, from how to increase fuel mileage to setting up the mobile office to spec’ing out their next new pickup,” said Bruce Smith, editor of ProPickup.

We're told the trade show will be open only to registered attendees for the first two days, then will be open to the public on the final Saturday, Aug. 25. For more info, click here.