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Professional climber to share lessons learned reaching the world’s highest peaks
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (Sept. 15, 2026) — Ed Viesturs, the first American mountaineer to reach the summits of the 14 highest peaks in the world – and to do so without using supplemental oxygen – will present the keynote address at Work Truck Week® 2027. Against a backdrop of striking expedition photography, Viesturs will share hard-earned insights on teamwork, leadership, risk management and overcoming obstacles drawn from more than 30 years as a professional climber. He takes the stage at NTEA Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 11, 2027.
Work Truck Week, North America’s largest work truck event, runs March 9–12, 2027, at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. More Than a Trade Show®, the event includes NTEA Annual Meeting, The Work Truck Show® (March 10–12), Future Truck Summit (March 9), Work Truck Week Ride & Drive (March 10–11), and an extensive educational program (March 9–11).
Defying the “Death Zone”
Viesturs dedicated 18 years to his goal to stand atop the “eight-thousanders,” the 14 highest mountains in the world, with summits that exceed 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level. These summits lie in the “Death Zone,” where the atmospheric pressure is so low that the body receives one-third of the oxygen per breath as it does at sea level. Only extremely conditioned athletes can scale these heights without supplemental oxygen.
“Fewer than 100 people in recorded history have summited all 14 of the eight-thousanders, and just a handful have done so without bottled oxygen,” says TJ Blandford, 2027 NTEA Convention chairman, and executive chairman of Woodbine Manufacturing Co. (Woodbine, Iowa). “Successfully reaching these peaks demands meticulous planning, clearsighted decision-making and unwavering discipline. Ed Viesturs will inspire Work Truck Week attendees with his stories of preparation and perseverance to achieve his goals, not just to climb the mountains, but to safely get back down.”
In May 2005, Viesturs completed his quest, dubbed Endeavor 8000, by successfully ascending Annapurna, the deadliest of the 14 peaks, on his third attempt. He chronicled his 18-year odyssey in the bestselling memoir “No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World’s 14 Highest Peaks.” He has also co-authored several other books on mountaineering, such as “The Will to Climb” and national bestseller “The Mountain: My Time on Everest.”
As the highest point on Earth, Mt. Everest is widely regarded as the pinnacle of human endurance. Viesturs has summitted it seven times, including when he served as climbing team leader for the expedition chronicled in the blockbuster 1998 IMAX documentary Everest and highlighted in Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book Into Thin Air.
An award-winning adventurer
Recognized as America’s preeminent high-altitude mountaineer, Viesturs was named National Geographic’s inaugural Adventurer of the Year in 2005. In 2001, he received the historic Lowell Thomas Award from the Explorers Club for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering, placing him among the ranks of elite climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary. His unselfish commitment to safety was recognized by the American Alpine Club, which presented him with the David A. Sowles Memorial Award for his participation in two 1992 rescues on K2, the world’s second-highest peak.
Still climbing
Viesturs continues to guide clients worldwide on climbing adventures. He is a long-time ambassador for Rolex and works as a design consultant for outdoor clothing manufacturer Himali. He also serves as a spokesman and advocate for Big City Mountaineers (BCM), an organization that develops critical life skills in under-resourced youth through wilderness mentoring experiences that help keep kids in school and reduce violence and drug use.
Tickets and more information
Viesturs’ keynote presentation on March 11 will follow breakfast and NTEA business, including changes in Board leadership and updates on Association resources and initiatives. Tickets for NTEA’s Annual Meeting, sponsored by Ford Pro, go on sale when registration opens this fall. Sign up to be notified when registration and housing open at worktruckweek.com/wtw27signup or contact NTEA (info@ntea.com or 248-489-7090) for more information.
About Work Truck Week
Produced annually by NTEA – The Work Truck Association, Work Truck Week stands as the commercial vehicle industry’s definitive launchpad for new products and forward-looking planning. For more than 25 years, the annual event has served as a cornerstone gathering for chassis OEMs, fleet managers, vehicle upfitters, truck dealers, engineers, and other industry professionals attending Work Truck Week to experience the latest vehicle and equipment innovations, share expertise and forge partnerships.
About NTEA
Established in 1964, NTEA – The Work Truck Association, a 501(c)(6) organization, represents more than 2,100 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial vehicles, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces Work Truck Week, Future Truck Summit, Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit and Executive Leadership Summit. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Editor’s note: A photo of Viesturs, as well as professional photos from Work Truck Week 2026, are available for download at worktruckweek.com/photosandlogos. All photos must be attributed to NTEA.
