TwoShowsforTowersinApril

That’s right! Not, one but two opportunities are coming down the road for towers. Both are happening in the month of April. First, we have the Florida Tow Show, April 13th – 15th, convening at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. That might be a mouthful to say, but there’s a full spread about the FTS in the Tow Professional magazine. As all of us know, it is one of the best tow shows in the United States. More towers from all over the world will come to this show, including people throughout the scope of Europe just to say they attended this great event.

While at the Florida Tow Show, you will hear from a very gifted speaker who owns her own towing company in the state of Wisconsin. Don’t miss this talk, 3:00 to 3:45pm. This will be one of the best 45 minute segments that will make you say you’re glad you attended. The speaker I am referencing is none other than Michelle Sukow. I have made a living as a professional speaker and know that Michelle is a person you’ll want to hear. She knows the industry, whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. I promise that you’ll learn a lot listening to Michelle Sukow. In case you’re wondering, I will be attending. Michelle has two podcasts, one is Tow-Tally She Said, the other is the Michelle Sukow podcast. There is also another class on the same day that you need to attend.

Also, on Saturday, the 15th, don’t miss “EV Driver Training”. Towers, the revolution is upon us with electric vehicles. This training class will inform towers what they need to know. Presented by Energy Security Agency, they are the same group that was hired by Qatar to train the World Cup. They are presenting from 9AM to Noon. Matt Bowman is the presenter.

Another don’t miss opportunity is Brian Riker who will be speaking at the All-State Tent on Friday and Saturday morning. You don’t want to miss a true gift to this industry, “Your DOT GUY”, Brian Riker, information coming from a tower’s tower. Brian also has a great podcast called, “Your DOT Guy”.

Now, what’s the other show for towers in April? Two weeks after the Florida Tow Show is the United Recyclers Group, better known as the Annual URG Training Conference, also being held in Orlando, Florida on April 27th-29th at the Hyatt Regency, Grand Cypress. With changes in the economy, more and more tow owners are looking for a new profit center and are welcoming extra income from the auto recycling business. And it’s working quite well for them too. You might recognize Stepps Towing who also owns a recycling center. Lots of towers are looking into the recycling business, so don’t miss hearing how recycling can add to your profit line.

Go to www.u-r-g.com to learn more about URG, their conference and find out why towers are looking into the car they sell for $400 or maybe $500 is worth $3200 to $3700 parted out. Wondering how a tower can get involved in recycling too? Answer to be revealed with my next article about RECYCLING in this great publication.

Proper way of writing invoices

Are you still writing your RECOVERY invoice on a TOW slip? That’s a thing of the past.

Accident scene

clean up

Are you leaving car debris and oil behind at the accident scene? You can be liable for this even YEARS later. We show you how to make site remediation profitable not an expense.

Keeping the paper trail

Learn how to properly document the scene from start to finish so you will have all the info you need back at the office.

Billing on property damage liability insurance only

Have you heard that

Before ending this article, I need to make an announcement. Tow Professional magazine and podcast would like to say “Thank You” to all our state associations for all the wonderful things they do for our industry. All state Executive Directors and their Board Members are invited to a Hospitality Reception being held at the Florida Tow Show. We will keep you posted on the “Thank You” Reception in a future issue of the Tow Professional and on the podcast. It is a small way to thank leaders in our industry who give up lots of their time, talents, and treasure to help develop our state associations. We are proud of these people and the work they do and just want to say, “Thank you”.

In the meantime, don’t forget to make your plans now to hear Michelle Sukow, Matt Bowman and Brian Riker at the Florida Tow Show and recycling at the Annual URG Training Conference. Give me a call at 770-301-4122 if you want to know more about either show for towers or about the Thank You Reception.

See you next time or on the next Tow Professional podcast.

Bene ting for the families of our fallen

If each company in the industry gave just $5 when a tragedy occurs, we could generously support the families of our fallen in so many new ways.

Can you give $5 when a tower dies?

Help us support those left behind by the dangers of our profession.

The Survivor Fund

The “Survivor Fund” was created in 2006 to complement the International Towing and Recovery Museum’s Wall of the Fallen. This fund was established to help those families who have lost a loved one in the line of service.

A Survivor Fund committee was formed of people from all over the United States from the towing industry. The committee is given the information regarding the fallen and the application is processed within 24 hours of receipt. Once the decision is made, a check is sent right away to the family to assist with immediate nancial issues during this tragic time in their lives.

Company owners, family members, or friends can submit the application for bene ts on behalf of the family of the deceased. The application can be found on the website at www.thesurvivorfund.com and can be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail.

Fourteen years of service to the towing and recovery industry worldwide

Managed by industry professionals

Pledges replenish funds and allow payout growth

$7,500 bene t, $9,500 for museum members

Immediate funds to help at the time of tragedy

Funded by donations only

Hundreds of families supported

Tiered system allows payout increases based on reserves

Hundreds of thousands of dollars paid out to date

Survivor Fund Continuing Support

To ensure the longevity of these bene ts as we work to build a perpetual fund, we are asking each person, company and organization in the industry to participate in supporting the Survivor Fund and these families when a tragedy occurs. Your pledge to become a Survivor Fund Continuing Support Partner represents a commitment to our industry.

As a Continuing Support Partner, you will receive an e-mail from the Survivor Fund when a tragedy occurs and meets the governing guidelines of the Survivor Fund for disbursement. As always, the ITRHFM Survivor Fund will handle direct payment to the families. We will simply solicit your contribution in the pledged amount to replenish and build our fund after each approved payout. The e-mail you receive will provide information on the current tragedy as well as information on how to remit the payment to honor your pledge.

www.thesurvivorfund.com/pledge support our industry.