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COMPLIMENTARY ADVOCATE VOL. 5, NO. 3 to its roots for 25th Anniversary THEREARVIEWMIRROR Fergus Truck Show gets back EDUCATE CALEDONIA, ONTARIO www.therearviewmirror.ca MATT RICHARDSON T he Fergus Truck Show is an event synonymous with the trucking industry. It is a time for industry professionals and their families, as well as people who have absolutely no connection with the trucking industry to get together and celebrate a great industry and a great event. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of a show that was meant to be just a one-time gig. Established in 1986 to raise money for the Fergus and District Community Centre Hall addition and to introduce members of the community to the trucking industry, no one would have believed that 25 years later itÊs now the largest truck show in North America, both in paid attendance and the number of entrants in the big truck show and shine competition. The show is held annually at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, and stands behind community wellbeing by distribut- ing profits to local groups who assist by volunteering at the show. „The big thing about this show is that it would not go off and be successful without all the different groups that volunteer and help out,‰ stated Bob Marsland, Director for the Fergus Truck Show. „All the money thatÊs raised at the show goes back into the community through the volunteer groups who are paid by the hours they work, so itÊs an excellent source of generating money for local groups like the churches, Belwood Lions, Fergus Rugby, and the Fergus Girls Club,‰ he continued. Over $600,000 has been raised for and Events Ontario six times. The 25th edition of the Fergus Truck Show will see some changes. First off, Wayne Billings, former Chief Operations Officer, is no longer with the show and neither is Mardi Billings, who also played a large role in the showÊs continued success. When asked how the transition has affected preparations for 2010, Marsland replied, the volunteer groups since the inception of the event 25 years ago. Along with raising large amounts of money for the community, the show has Glory days... that still keep coming. The above photo shows the Fergus Truck Show at its inception in 1986. Above right, aerial view of Fergus Truck Show, 2009. SUBMITTED PHOTOS been honoured by the „Top 100 Ontario Ev ents‰ award by Festi v als „We basically donÊt have a full time staff anymore so everything is being handled by volunteer directors.‰ Marsland was originally brought in as the head of security for last yearÊs event and then filled in for Wayne once he left. „This year we never really filled the COO position. Everyone has just been kind of pitching in. The directors are continued on page 5 A look in the Mirror Between the lines: Glenn Caldwell Recruiter Profile: Jason Platt Backing Up: Lori Van Opstal 7 12 26 RECRUIT SUMMER 2010