HVIA’s Chief Advocacy Officer Aaron Johnstone and National Events Manager Kay Marco met with senior leaders from the NTEA – The Work Truck Association in Indianapolis on March 12 to discuss shared priorities and challenges across the Australian and North American truck sectors. The meeting took place alongside the annual Work Truck Week event.
Established in 1964, NTEA represents more than 2,100 North American companies involved in the manufacture, distribution, installation, sale and repair of commercial vehicles, truck bodies, equipment, trailers and accessories.
Work Truck Week has become a key event on the global industry calendar, offering fleet operators, distributors, upfitters and other professionals access to the latest vehicle technologies, regulatory insights, fleet sustainability options and networking opportunities.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including association initiatives, event strategies, and ways to strengthen industry engagement with governments and communities.
HVIA also provided updates on major upcoming events, including Truck Show X in the Hunter Valley on May 18-19, and the Brisbane Truck Show returning in May 2027.
Both organisations exchanged insights on the evolving policy landscape, including issues such as regulation, decarbonisation, safety and support for local industry. The meeting highlighted several shared opportunities and challenges facing the sector in both Australia and North America.
Aaron (pictured above second from left with NTEA Canada’s Jeffrey Phillips, Kay Marco and NTEA CEO and President Steve Carey), says the exchange was invaluable.
“It was a terrific opportunity to learn about key North American industry issues – many of which resonate strongly with those affecting our Australian members. It was also encouraging to see the high level of collaboration and productivity across U.S. and Canadian supply chains.”
National Events Manager Kay Marco said the visit strengthened relationships and offered practical insights into NTEA’s approach to member support and event delivery:
“We were very fortunate to gain a deeper understanding of NTEA’s event strategies and member initiatives, and we were warmly hosted by their team. We have invited NTEA to join us at the Brisbane Truck Show in 2027.”