LargestTowShow

The Florida Tow Show is the largest international show in this towing and recovery industry. This past weekend, I spent two fully packed days in the Tow Professional booth handing out the current issue of this magazine; all 70 pages of it. You could tell from the statements and questions received, while at this show, that most owners said they received their issues in the mail or that drivers wanted their own copy of it.

Others from outside the United States asked what we do. Additionally, a few of them who spoke English, had listened to our podcast; it’s heard world-wide. We had towers from the UK who stopped by the booth and took a picture of the “Tow Doctor.” That is another story. The lady across the way from the Tow Professional booth kept seeing people asking to take a picture of me with them or a member of their family. After the first day of watching this happen, she asked someone in her booth “who is that guy wearing the doctor outfit with a stethoscope around his neck that pulls out the large veterinarian orange glove from his pocket?” That person told her that he has spoken at lots of tow shows, has written in the towing industry over 30 plus years and now for the past 10 years has written a column in the Tow Professional magazine.

So, thinking that I might be a celebrity or such, this lady walks over on the second day of the show to see why each person took my picture. My response was this, “they couldn’t believe I’m still alive.” “Yes,” I told her, “I’m 75 years young and still going.” I continued, explaining that the funniest part of the show is people, because they take my picture to go with the voice of the podcast that I do with Darian Weaver, the Publisher and President of this magazine. Every week, we present

BY D.J. HARRINGTON CSP ///

the fastest growing podcast. Thank you, Towbook, who again had a great show because their booth was packed both days of the show from so much interest in what they do. Besides Towbook, I want to thank three more companies who sponsor the podcast and Darian Weaver too.

“Thank you” goes to Jerr-Dan, Co-part and Recovery Billing Unlimited who sponsor the podcast each week. It’s a must to listen each week because it brings to you the latest in technology, products, and services that can help you grow your business. It was great seeing Jeff Irr from WorldWide Equipment too. Jeff is coming with me to the Largest Annual Recyclers Conference in the United States. George Metos, the business broker, will be there along with Brian Riker, the speaker you’ve come to know as “Your D.O.T. Guy”.

I want to thank Gay Rochester, from INA Towing Network for all she does for this industry. Mrs. Rochester is a true gift and one of the most kind and generous Christian women that I know. I’m proud to call her a friend. When people want to grow their business, they ask me to introduce them to Gay. I feel it’s because after working with her, their business grows.

Talking about growing business, AutoDataDirect will be featured on one of our next podcasts. It is always good seeing Frank Toms again. Now, you will get a chance to meet him on the podcast. It was also good seeing Robert Young from Robert Young Trucks. I visited with my dear friend, Ron Pullen from R & P Recovery Consulting Services. Thanks to Jason and James from Mericle’s Towing and their whole team because they had 12 or more of their people at this show.

Friends in this industry who also made the trip worthwhile are Bill Giorgis, from Michigan, April Wilburn, the wonderful wife of the trainer, Wes Wilburn from American Towing & Recovery Institute.

Together, Wes and I do a great podcast each week from which you learn a lot from Wes. People that everyone knows are Danny Horton, Hall of Famer, Patrick Nahoum, now with Peddle. I saw again my dear friend, Johnny Sun, for TowToolz from California, and Chad and Dale from Savannah, GA who have been good friends for many years. Additionally, it was my pleasure to see Todd Stepps, Al Greg, George Connley, Kevin Goodyear, and Matt and Bobby from (ESA) Energy Security Agency.

Please listen to the podcasts and read the magazine. If you are an owner and you don’t get a copy of it, please send your email to: darian@towprofessional.com and get it nine times a year. NO COST. And get the new Digital Interactive Quarterly.

I will see you next time and especially on the Tow Professional podcast.