In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Toby Young, Show Manager for the Mid-America Trucking Show.

A Chemistry graduate turned events pro, Toby Young is the Show Manager for the Mid-America Trucking Show, one of the biggest trucking events in the calendar. He is also President of Exhibit Management Associates, a results-driven event management agency.

[10:35] The trucking industry is very family-oriented, and many professionals work with family members across the board. This can be difficult to navigate, especially when conflicts arise. Having worked with his family his entire professional life, Toby has seen conflict resolution go well and poorly. He reflects on the past and advises others in the same boat to remember that you are all working towards the same goal and not to get caught up in your passion. Sometimes, the best strategy is simply to take a step back, recognize this, and return to the conversation with a cooler head. Then, you can present your arguments, justify them, and listen to and understand the other person’s outlook. Of course, this doesn’t just apply to family businesses; this would work in any conflict.

[18:37] After graduating with a Chemistry degree and deciding to join the family business, Toby held various roles in Exhibit Management Associates, from sales to PR to the website. Working across all facets of the business gave him a unique perspective for transitioning into a leadership role. Experience allows you to understand how something truly operates so you have the full picture, allowing you to lead by example. Toby has never got anyone to do something he wouldn’t be willing to do himself. Even today, he’ll take out the trash, clean up the offices, and deliver packages to the post office when necessary. He doesn’t want to be the boss who cracks the whip from behind a desk; he wants to be the leader in the trenches.

[32:10] The Mid-America Trucking Show is unique; it focuses on bringing educational content to the industry to help everyone improve their businesses. Since its beginning in 1972, the show has involved different components, with the exhibition being the primary part. However, each year, the team interviews attendees, and they have discovered that most people come for the entertainment and view the exhibition as an added bonus. Because of this, Toby and his team are now focussing on almost rebranding the show, making it more apparent that they are there to help trucking businesses, make them more money, and increase their efficiency. They have introduced a seminar series and reached out to big-name companies and individuals to share their own experiences and expertise. It’s not about pitching products but about sharing what works for different people. Everyone wants to make the industry better, and this is one stepping stone on the way.

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