Work Truck Week® 2026, North America’s largest work truck event, has announced that top political strategists Karl Rove and Jim Messina will headline the NTEA Annual Meeting with a keynote address on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Work Truck Week® 2026, North America’s largest work truck event, has announced that top political strategists Karl Rove and Jim Messina will headline the NTEA Annual Meeting with a keynote address on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The two longtime political advisors, representing opposite sides of the aisle, will share the stage for a bipartisan discussion on leadership, strategy, and the state of American politics heading into the pivotal U.S. midterm elections.
The conversation will be moderated by Rick Albertini, 2026 NTEA Convention chairman and president & CEO of Phenix Truck & Van (Pomona, California).
Karl Rove: “The Architect” of Presidential Campaigns
Karl Rove is widely regarded as one of the most influential Republican political strategists of the modern era. Before becoming a household name in Washington, he ran Karl Rove + Company, a political consulting firm that represented dozens of Republican U.S. Senate, congressional, and gubernatorial candidates across 24 states.
Rove gained national recognition as senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, where he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs. Dubbed “The Architect,” he played a central role in Bush’s successful 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns.
Today, Rove is a Fox News contributor, writes a weekly op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, and has authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller Courage and Consequence and the acclaimed The Triumph of William McKinley. He also serves on nonprofit boards, including the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and was inducted into the American Association of Political Consultants Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jim Messina: Redefining the Modern Campaign
On the Democratic side, Jim Messina is best known as the mastermind behind President Barack Obama’s groundbreaking 2012 re-election campaign, where he merged technology, data, and grassroots organizing in ways that set a new standard for modern campaigns. Prior to that, Messina served as Obama’s deputy chief of staff, where he was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Over his career, Messina has spent more than 20 years working in the Senate and House as chief of staff, playing key roles in passing major legislation including tax cuts, the Medicare prescription drug bill, and multiple trade agreements. In 2013, he launched The Messina Group, which provides strategic consulting to businesses and governments worldwide.
Messina has advised over a dozen presidents and prime ministers on five continents, including leaders in the UK, Mexico, Argentina, Italy, and Spain. He is a frequent contributor to global media outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, Bloomberg, and the BBC. He also serves on the boards of organizations ranging from Blockchain.com to The Wilderness Society and the United States Soccer Foundation.
A Balanced Conversation for Industry Leaders
“Given the current state of American politics, it can be tough to find a balanced perspective,” Albertini said. “We are giving Work Truck Week attendees the opportunity to hear about important issues from both sides. Along the way, Rove and Messina will also provide valuable takeaways about leadership, strategy and planning that can apply directly to our industry.”
About Work Truck Week 2026
Work Truck Week runs March 10–13, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. More Than a Trade Show®, the event includes:
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The Work Truck Show® (exhibits open March 11–13)
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Green Truck Summit (March 10)
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Educational Sessions (March 10–12)
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NTEA Annual Meeting with keynote speakers
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Work Truck Week Ride & Drive
Produced by NTEA – The Work Truck Association™, Work Truck Week provides fleet operators, distributors, upfitters, and industry professionals with the latest in trucks, bodies, equipment, technology, and regulations, along with unmatched networking opportunities.
Tickets and Registration
The Annual Meeting, sponsored by Ford Pro, is not included in any registration package. Tickets will be sold separately when registration opens this fall. NTEA members receive additional discounts. To be notified when registration and housing open, visit worktruckweek.com/wtw26signup or contact NTEA at info@ntea.com.
About NTEA
Founded in 1964, NTEA represents more than 2,100 companies involved in the manufacture, distribution, installation, and repair of commercial vehicles and equipment. Headquartered near Detroit, with government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the Association also produces Green Truck Summit, Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit, and Executive Leadership Summit.
Stay up to date on social media with hashtags #WTW26, #WorkTruckWeek, and #GreenTruckSummit.
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