TRACKS
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President’s Report By Marty Lorick, NATM President In February, the light- and medium-duty trailer industry was finally able to come together for our annual Convention & Trade Show. The show held in Tampa was a great success and indicative of the vital role that the event plays in sourcing supplies, components, and services for trailer manufacturers. Thank you to all those that attended. It was great to see everyone in-person once again! A very big thank you to our 2022 sponsors. Without the support of the companies that sponsor the Convention & Trade Show, NATM could not put such an event together at reasonable rates for attendees. Providing education and a forum for growing relationships and reinvesting in existing ones is one of the many vital programs NATM provides for the industry. In-person education offers a unique opportunity to ask questions of experienced professionals and grow from the input of industry peers in a way written instruction does not. In addition, seeing the latest products in the industry and meeting with nearly 180 vendors all in one place presents tremendous cost and time savings for trailer manufacturers. New this year was the inclusion of trailer dealers for the first time! NATM welcomed its Dealer Affiliates to the show with the New Attendee Promotion that offered two complimentary full registrations, two complimentary spouse/partner registrations, and two complimentary room nights. In addition, dealers were able to shop the trade show floor and attend a specially curated Dealer Workshop Lineup that featured information on axles, brakes, and sales. The NATM Staff also educated attendees about the NATM Compliance Verification Program how best to market the NATM Decal to their customers.
as affiliates in the Association. As part of the Association’s continuing efforts to improve consumer knowledge of trailer safety, the Association will hold Trailer Safety Week June 5-11, 2022. Trailer Safety Week is a national awareness campaign that aims to educate end-users on trailer safety, including safe towing practices and maintenance. NATM encourages all members companies to participate in this year’s Trailer Safety Week at whatever level of engagement they feel comfortable. Please consider signing up to be a Trailer Safety week Ally and sharing the official TSW Communications Kit. This pre-crafted kit includes social and blog posts, readyto-use graphics, and banner ads for the website. Or, take it a step further by being a Trailer Safety Partner or Champion. Visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com/interest to sign up. For more information about participating in TSW this year, turn to page 14. NATM is only successful thanks to the hardworking trailer manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers that are committed to safety and compliance. If you are interested in becoming more involved or interested in learning more about becoming a member, do not hesitate to contact the Association at NATMHQ@natm.com. ■
It was fantastic to welcome the dealers to the event. I’m looking forward to growing the NATM Dealer Affiliate program and increasing the attendance of dealers at the Convention & Trade Show. I am issuing a challenge to all members to encourage your dealers to join NATM for $150 annually. Or even better, sign your dealers up as Dealer Affiliates on their behalf to ensure that your network of dealers receives essential resources. By signing up your dealers for only $150, they will qualify for over $1,200 worth of benefits through the NATM New Attendee Promotion at the Convention & Trade Show, plus printed resources to help their dealership succeed. Interested in signing up more than five dealerships? Contact NATM for bulk discount pricing at NATMHQ@natm.com. For more information about the NATM Dealer Affiliate Program, turn to page 28. For more information about the 2022 Convention & Trade Show, turn to page 36. Are you looking forward to the next big event? Turn to page 48 for details on the upcoming 2023 Convention & Trade Show in Fort Worth, Texas Feb. 1416, 2022. For more information about the event, including exhibiting and sponsoring, contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan and Meghan.Ryan@natm.com. Dealers play a crucial role in communicating trailer safety to end-users, which is why NATM welcomed them to participate 4
May/June 2022
www.NATM.com
