2025 PTAO Tow Trade Show
I had the pleasure of attending the PTAO Tow Trade Show alongside Sarah from Gary’s Towing Traffic Division.
Although I’ve been to tow shows in the U.S., this was my first time attending the PTAO Tow Trade Show, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. We packed our bags and made the 1,456 km drive from Thunder Bay to Kitchener, a long haul, but an absolutely stunning trip along Lake Superior. A big thank you to Sarah for keeping the drive lively with her truck karaoke A-game!
From start to finish, the experience was incredible. We had the chance to network with industry leaders, admire the gorgeous trucks that keep Ontario’s highways moving, and connect with exceptional people across the towing industry.
On Friday, Sarah attended the Condensed Book 7 training course, led by IHSA, which gave her valuable tools to put into practice on our snow-covered Northwestern Ontario highways.
We also got an early look at the Trade Show floor, packed with exhibitors and equipment, followed by the “Let Your Light Shine” light show in honour of those injured or lost on the job. What an unforgettable tribute, the night sky glowed with the lights of the most beautiful trucks in the industry. We hope to join in next year with our very own Heisenberg, a 65-Ton Peterbilt rotator.
Image Courtesy of PTAO
The evening wrapped up with a Welcome Reception at Waterloo Brewing Company, sponsored by Eagle Towing Equipment. It was a night of great stories, laughter, and delicious food, a wonderful chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
Image Courtesy of PTAO
Saturday began with a memorial procession to honour those lost or injured on the job, a beautiful and important reminder of why “slow down, move over” matters so much.
We were also honoured to attend the Women in Towing Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by Preferred Towing. Tammy, the owner of Preferred, did an amazing job organizing such a special event. It was inspiring to see a room full of strong women; dispatchers, operators, traffic control, management, and more, thriving in what is often a male dominated industry.
We had the privilege of sharing a table with Shelley Walker, CEO of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, whose leadership is empowering women across the trucking industry. Lunch was delicious, the prizes were plentiful (yes, I got lucky and won a significant amount of Scentsy, if you have a teenage son, I highly recommend their products).
This year also marked the very first Extraordinary Women Award, developed and sponsored by Preferred Towing. Congratulations to all the nominees, and especially to Debbie Martin of Chatham Towing, a true inspiration and a powerhouse in this industry. Debbie’s dedication and leadership make her more than deserving of this honour.
Image Courtesy of the PTAO
Jeff Martin, GM at Chatham Towing teaching the kids how to operate the rotator!
Walking the show floor, we were impressed by the range of exhibits and the sense of community. Jeff from Chatham Towing gave kids the unforgettable opportunity to operate the rotator (and what a truck it was!). There was even a dunk tank thanks to Jack at Eagle Towing Equipment, raising funds for the bereavement fund.
Gary & Tammy with Preferred Towing
The event closed with the Evening Award Social, celebrating industry professionals for their hard work, heroism, and, of course, their beautiful trucks. It was the perfect finale to a weekend that truly showcased the heart of the towing community. Congrats to all nominees and winners!
If you haven’t yet attended the PTAO Tow Trade Show, I can’t recommend it enough. I only wish I’d made the time to go sooner. After this experience, I look forward to making it a yearly tradition.
A heartfelt thank you to PTAO, all the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who made this event such a success. I look forward to nurturing business relationships and learning more from this industry!
Ashley
General Manager, Gary’s Towing