The 2026 Tow Trade Show in Kitchener, Ontario, drew a record-breaking 1,500 attendees, making it the largest event in Professional Towing Association of Ontario history. The two-day event brought together towing professionals, government representatives, and industry leaders to discuss regulatory changes, showcase new equipment, and demonstrate industry unity during a time of significant sector transformation.
- The 2026 Tow Trade Show achieved record attendance of 1,500 people, the largest turnout in PTAO history, held September 11-12 at Marshall Hall in Kitchener, Ontario
- Attendees traveled from across North America, including British Columbia, New Brunswick, and the United States, demonstrating broad industry participation
- High-profile government representation included delegates from Ontario's Minister of Transportation and the Ontario Provincial Police engaging directly with operators
- Major equipment suppliers participated, including Miller Industries and NRC Industries, showcasing the latest tow truck and flatbed technology
- Inter-provincial cooperation was emphasized through attendance of Quebec's Professional Towing Association president, signaling unified industry response to regulatory changes
The 2026 Tow Trade Show drew a record-breaking crowd of roughly 1,500 attendees to Kitchener, Ont., as towing professionals gathered to view new equipment, discuss changing regulations, and show industry solidarity.
Held on Sept. 11 and 12 at Marshall Hall inside the Bingemans conference centre, the two-day event marked the largest turnout in the history of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO). Operators travelled from as far as British Columbia, New Brunswick, and the United States to attend.
Gary Vandenheuvel, president of the PTAO, noted that the massive turnout reflected a unified front during a time of significant regulatory shifts across the sector.
"It was very well attended from throughout the industry," Vandenheuvel said. He added that creating connections with government and stakeholders is a major priority right now.
To bridge the gap between operators and regulators, organizers brought in several high-profile guests.
"We brought in a lot of other people from within the industries, such as industry leaders," Vandenheuvel explained.
Representatives for Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, as well as delegates from the Ontario Provincial Police attended multiple seminars to engage directly with operators.
Suppliers also made a strong showing. Major tow truck manufacturers attended the event, including representatives from Tennessee-based Miller Industries and Norbert Pigeon, the owner and founder of Quebec-based NRC Industries, a leading builder of heavy tow trucks and flatbeds.
For Vandenheuvel, the most significant display of unity came from the province next door. He highlighted the attendance of Réjean Breton, president of the Professional Towing Association of Quebec (APDQ), as a standout moment for the weekend, noting that inter-provincial cooperation is vital in today's regulatory climate.
"That one stood out quite well to me, that he was there showing his support for us," Vandenheuvel said of Breton's visit. He stressed that having their Quebec counterpart in attendance was a "big piece, showing our solidarity across industry as we see a lot of changes coming our ways."
Alongside the policy discussions and networking, the weekend schedule featured several community-focused events. Organizers hosted the Women in Towing Appreciation Luncheon, a Memorial Scholarship Procession, and the presentation of the annual Hero Award. These auxiliary events rounded out a weekend dedicated both to the future of the trade and the operators currently working on the front lines.
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