Cover photo: The PTAO Tow & Trade Show attendees were lucky enough to see dozens of heavy-duty wreckers on display.
Members of the PTAO and other industry stakeholders enjoyed a stellar lineup of educational seminars, gleaming tow trucks, the latest equipment, and plenty of fun activities.
by Tow Canada
Photos: Iva Kestrankova & Kara Cunningham
From September 15 to 16, 2023, the Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener, Ontario, hummed with excitement as towing professionals from across the province and beyond came together for the 2023 Tow Trade Show. Hosted by the recently renamed Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO)—formerly the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario—this event marked the association’s 25th anniversary while bringing together towing professionals, industry experts, suppliers, and enthusiasts.
Here is a glimpse at the highlights from this jam-packed two-day exposition that shone with the camaraderie and professionalism of Ontario’s towing industry.
Originally published in
Tow Canada, November-December 2023
Updates on Provincial Licensing and Accreditation Program
Even before the trade show began, attendees were lucky enough to receive important industry information and updates via a series of enlightening presentations. Amanda Goodnough from the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario (MTO) kicked off the event’s seminar series by detailing the necessary steps that towing and vehicle storage operators will need to follow to comply with the new Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) certification. Starting in July 2024, this new certification will be mandatory, so therefore, all towing and vehicle storage operators in the province will need to be certified by that time in order to continue operating legally.
Next, Steven Ashworth and Derek C. Didone from the PTAO broke down the association’s new accreditation program. This program sets the bar for Ontario towing companies, and the intention is to help businesses keep pace with provincial licensing standards. The program is designed to keep members updated on all new government legislation and regulatory needs. As PTAO President Mark Graves said, the goal is to level up tow truck operators province wide. “Prior to 1991, there was no training for tow truck operators,” Graves commented, referring to the origins of WreckMaster training. “Training has always focused on drivers, but the accreditation program is focused on the company. It’s a proactive step to help elevate the industry.”
The morning’s presentations were rounded off with a spirited panel discussion featuring voices from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), MTO, CAA, WreckMaster, and the PTAO. In a crowded room, stakeholders discussed the implementation of provincial licensing while addressing certification requirements, program implications for businesses, and training.
Trade Show Buzz
Filled with sleek wreckers and carriers, cutting-edge equipment, and a space to reconnect with old friends (and meet new ones), the exhibition floor was where the action could be found. And if you made it on Friday, chances are you beat the Saturday crowd.
Later in the afternoon, the PTAO held its Annual General Meeting, followed by the popular Welcome Reception, hosted by Eagle Towing Equipment. In just its second year, this event has become the tow show’s favourite mixer, providing a relaxed evening where attendees could share stories over a refreshing pint of beer.
Honouring Fallen Heroes
Saturday’s program started at the crack of dawn with the Memorial Scholarship Parade. Despite the early hour, over 40 tow trucks showed up to spread awareness about the Slow Down, Move Over law and to support the families of those tow operators who were killed or injured in the line of duty. As the convoy rolled down the highway from Guelph Line back to Bingemans on this sunny and chilly morning, it received plenty of waves and honks.
A special thank you goes to Fabiana and James Ireland and Shawn Baker for bringing this event to life.
The high point, concluding this parade, was an emotional tribute to fallen operator Phillip Smith. Back at Bingemans, his mother, Tryna, shared the heart-wrenching story of how her son lost his life to a snowplow while he was clearing a vehicle from an off-ramp after a heavy snowfall in Ottawa on January 17, 2022. A moment of silence followed, allowing attendees to reflect on the dedication of those who serve this demanding profession, as well as the risks that these unsung heroes face every day on the job.
Training and Informative Sessions
On Saturday, the learning opportunities continued with a session on Emergency Response for Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Incidents. In this seminar, Derek C. Didone highlighted the unique challenges and safety risks associated with towing electric and hybrid vehicles. His presentation offered information on best practices for handling high-voltage batteries, a discussion on fire hazards associated with compromised batteries, and post-incident procedures and proper storage was covered.
In the afternoon, Gary Vandenheuvel of Preferred Towing shared some proven strategies to assist tow companies with getting paid and paid fairly, especially when dealing with insurance companies. The room was full, which is no surprise. The presentation, titled The Guaranteed Payment Program & Other Strategies to Obtain Payment for Emergency Response Work, sparked a vivid discussion at the end.
Women in Towing Association Luncheon
One of the highlights of this year’s show was the inaugural Women in Towing Association Luncheon. This sold-out event, thoughtfully organized by the amazing Tammy Vandenheuvel, with support from Fabiana Ireland, Rosemary Dean, and Julie Lafrance, was a smashing success.
As far as we know, this is the first event of its kind with the primary goal of celebrating the phenomenal women in the towing and recovery industry and acknowledging how extraordinary they are. It served as a gentle reminder for these hard-working women to take some “me” time in an industry that never sleeps—where client calls take precedence, whether it is the middle of the night or Christmas Eve. This event catered to all women, including those directly involved in the industry and those who are the unwavering backbone supporting their spouses or partners navigating the challenges of this demanding profession.
A big thank you to everyone who played a part in making this event such a success. While Tow Canada’s editorial consultant, Kara, and publisher, Iva, certainly left with smiles and a bunch of delightful treats, they were not the only ones. Every devoted female who attended left with a renewed spirit and appreciation for themselves. It was a soul-soothing retreat for all the female heroes in the towing industry.
Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony
The PTAO’s two-day event wrapped-up in style with a gala banquet with delicious food, live entertainment, and an industry awards presentation. Jennifer Dean from Advanced Towing was honoured by the PTAO board with the Hero of the Industry Award for her heroic rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Bryce Weber from Aces Towing was recognized as the Tow Person of the Year, in absentia.
In the Show and Shine contest, Herb’s Towing emerged as the clear winner, securing top spots in both the heavy-duty and flatbed beauty category. Baseline Towing grabbed the gold in the light/medium-duty category.
As part of the weekend’s awards, PTAO President Mark Graves revealed the names of 25 towing companies that received a WreckMaster training scholarship, generously donated by WreckMaster for their participation in Friday’s Memorial Scholarship Parade.
Another special moment at the gala came when Glenn Currie and Marcus Thompson from Currie Heavy Towing took the stage and gave tribute to Ontario towing legend Frank Dorey. Frank then joined them on the podium and received acclaim for his 50-year career in the towing business. Both Currie and Thompson delivered heartfelt speeches, acknowledging Frank’s many contributions and his enduring impact on the industry.
In Closing
The PTAO Tow & Trade Show 2023 was a resounding success. It provided a rare opportunity for industry members to connect, learn, and recognize the industry’s leaders and champions, as well as the day-to-day roadside operators who help people every day.
As the towing sector in Ontario undergoes the necessary shift to meet provincial regulation and licensing standards, events such as this are pivotal in guiding the industry and fostering collaboration. They encourage cooperation among competitors, and emphasize shared objectives.
Our Tow Canada team had a fantastic experience in Kitchener. It was deeply rewarding to engage with our readers, supporters, advertisers, and industry colleagues. We extend our sincere congratulations to the PTAO and its members for hosting such a well-organized and enjoyable event. We look forward to many more successful PTAO tow trade shows in the future! 🍁