When the RoadShow started its journey in March 2024, it set out on a mission to introduce British Columbians to careers in road building. While the trailer’s odometer has certainly changed since then, the mission hasn’t. Today, we revisit some of the defining moments of the RoadShow’s first year—spanning 55 events in 25 cities, hosting approximately 8,000 people in over 400 hours.
The response to the RoadShow has been overwhelmingly positive, both from participants and the communities we’ve visited. The uplifting reviews highlight the impressive production value as a key factor. Having thought out each step of the experience, from where the trailer is positioned to the wraps, the simulators, and the instruction—led by RoadShow Tour Lead, Ken—every detail has been carefully considered to ensure each participant enjoys a positive experience.
It’s rewarding to see that meticulous planning has paid off and that, in any community, the RoadShow intrigues and attracts everyone who comes across it. Whether it’s a school, First Nations community, or public event, people have the same excitement when they enter the trailer, and that excitement carries through the experience, says Ken.
Every community has its unique qualities, but what they all share is people who are trying to forge a professional path forward. Sometimes, those opportunities aren’t readily available. The RoadShow seeks to introduce people to a career they might not have considered, opening a door and a path to employment if they choose to pursue it.
Highlights from the Road
Just as every community has its charm, so does every event. One of the RoadShow’s livelier stops was in Chase when a Junior B hockey team visited the trailer on a field trip. The team piled into the trailer first thing in the morning and cheered each other on as they watched their teammates learn the simulators. One player, in particular, raved about how great the experience was and how he knew what career he wanted to pursue after hockey.
During a First Nations community event, Ken recalls a young student who was reluctant to engage with the simulators. After some encouragement from their community leaders, they sat down at a simulator and started learning the mechanics. “I just saw this boost in self-confidence. They came in at the end of the day and we stayed a little late for them so they could spend some quality time and gain confidence in operating the equipment. I think they got a chance to see what their leaders saw in them.” It’s moments like these that the RoadShow is all about.
The events are inspiring, but you don’t drive 35,000 km without some excitement on the road too. From participating in the Shuswap Canada Day Parade to watching bears feast on salmon in Powell River, the trailer tour route was full of interesting surprises. It wasn’t all sunshine and parades, though. This summer, a wildfire in Williams Lake led to evacuations and an event that almost didn’t happen. Our team watched and waited, and after some great work from the fire department and the forestry service, the event was able to move forward as planned.
Ken recalls another event where the RoadShow got lucky, returning from its last Okanagan trip of the year. It was the edge of winter and the conditions were challenging. The trailer was fortunate to fall behind a snowplow out of Kelowna and follow it to the border. When it arrived, another plow was making its way in the other direction back to Merritt, which Ken followed over the Coquihalla and back home safely.
The Road Ahead
With a new year comes new events—and some exciting trailer additions. One new feature people can look forward to is the drone-view computer system. This gear allows attendees awaiting their turn on the simulators to control an aerial view camera of the excavator simulator with a joystick, observing the machinery’s movements from any angle.
The Intellia system also features a new upgrade that allows Ken to have all three CM Labs simulators linked through a tablet. From here, he can manipulate the simulators’ activities, including sending in weather events, prompting mechanical issues, like a flat tire, and even triggering the distraction of a cell phone ringing to interrupt the experience.
To complete our recap, we want to sincerely thank all the wonderful BCRB member volunteers who helped support our events in 2024; the RoadShow wouldn’t exist without you. We encourage anyone who is interested in supporting at a future event to please reach out to us. Every volunteer who shows up willing to assist enriches the participant experience, regardless of their level of familiarity with heavy machinery. You might just inspire a young person to follow a truly fulfilling career path.
