By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The temperatures may have been warm, but JD's Truck Stop was the hot spot Thursday afternoon.
Express-1, Speedco, Expeditors Online and other sponsors teamed up to hold a day of great food, giveaways and a chance for locals to see the Chrome Shop Mafia's tricked-out 24-foot straight truck.
People of all ages showed up for the event to get a glimpse at the truck and enter for a chance to win it.
This was also a great chance for people to learn a little bit about all of the companies involved, as fliers, stickers and other odds and ends were handed out at the venders' tents. Employees from the company's were also on hand, answering questions and giving out helpful information not only about their business, but the truck as well.
"It was a wonderful turnout. The traffic was steady all day," Dennis McCaffrey, vice president of sales for Express-1 said.
B100 was also on location, doing a live remote and taking entries for the giveaways. Some items being raffled off were a signed Dale Waltrip car hood and an MP3 player.
Also, a free lunch was provided, which included pulled pork sandwiches, salads and sodas.
But what McCaffrey and Express-1 employees were excited about was the fact that this gave their company, and others involved, a chance to meet new people and get more exposure to the expediting industry.
"This was a great opportunity for us to get a chance to meet people. It was held at a truck stop, where truck drivers are in and out all day and it was a chance for us to get to meet drivers face-to-face, rather than just over the phone. Our drivers provide value to our customers and they are the ones making the lasting impression," McCaffrey said.
The final drawing for the truck will be held in Wilmington, Ohio on July 28. Twelve lucky finalists will be given a key to the truck, and only one will fire up the engine.
For more information on the truck or the companies involved with Thursday's event, visit www.expeditorsonline.com.