50 years and counting

Fifty years of anything is no small accomplishment.

When it’s what is now one of the largest heavy-duty trucking trade shows in the world, it’s even more significant.

The Mid-America Trucking Show reached another milestone in 2022 with its 50th anniversary show.

It all began in 1973, and truth be told, organizers of the first show had literally no idea what was to come.

“At the time of the first show, they had absolutely no expectations,” Toby Young, current president of MATS and grandson of MATS founder Paul K. Young, said. “They really didn’t know who, if anyone, was going to show up.”

Well, show up they did and attendees have continued to do so with the exception of 2020 and 2021, which were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022 was back to business as usual for MATS and as part of this year’s 50th celebration, the first inductees to the MATS Wall of Fame were revealed at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on opening night.

The Wall of Fame was created to honor the many outstanding professionals that have made significant contributions to the trucking industry as well as MATS.

OOIDA as well as Land Line were well represented among the honorees at MATS 2022. This included current OOIDA President Todd Spencer, who was among the honorees named to the wall of fame.

“It’s an honor certainly,” Spencer said. “This is a show for the little guys in the business and they deserve all the recognition they can get. OOIDA has made it our mission to level the playing field. Through the years this has been the show that owner-operators come to. When we were barely an organization we had a meeting at this show. We’ve come a long way together.”

Bryan “Boss Man” Martin, owner of 4 State Trucks in Joplin, Mo., who writes the Mafia Secrets column for Land Line Magazine, said he was truly humbled by his induction to the MATS Wall of Fame.

“(The Wall of Fame) was the last place I expected to see myself,” Martin said. “I don’t feel like we’ve made that big of a mark in trucking, but I’m very pleased to see us up there. We’re very passionate about the industry. It’s quite a thrill that we never really expected and maybe don’t feel deserving. It’s an honor to be up there with folks that were mentors to us.”

The fact that this nomination comes from MATS added to the significance, Martin said.

“This is my 27th consecutive MATS,” Martin said. “This is kind of the Super Bowl. This is the crème de la crème. To even be included in a nomination for this show – let alone the 50th – it’s a very big deal to us.”

Posthumous inductions with OOIDA and Land Line connections included OOIDA co-founder and former President Jim Johnston and Paul Abelson, longtime senior technical writer for Land Line Magazine.

“Oftentimes you’re your own worst critic, but we came a long way under Jim’s direction and we continue to move on,” Spencer said.

Land Line Managing Editor Jami Jones said Abelson was an incredible mentor and friend.

“So many trucking journalists owe a debt to Paul,” Jones said. “He selflessly shared sources, knowledge and was genuinely excited to see others excel. As sad as it is that he is gone, his legacy will live on.”

A post-show report from MATS listed a final attendance of more than 58,000, in addition to the nearly 900 exhibitors at MATS 2022.

These latest numbers, as well as the 50-year milestone, have MATS organizers excited about the next 50 years.

“We’re thrilled with the attendee and exhibitor support we saw for our 50th anniversary,” Young said. “With our renewed focus on education, events, entertainment, and exhibits, we laid a new foundation for what future MATS will be. We’ve already begun planning MATS 2023 with even more to offer for all in the trucking industry.”

2022 MATS Wall of Fame Honorees:

Paul K. Young

Jim Johnston

Dale “Trucking Bozo” Sommers

Mirah Lesa “YoYo” Worley

Paul Abelson

Bud Farquhar

Bob Spooner

Bill Mack

Ellen Voie

Todd Spencer

Ingrid Brown

Dave Nemo

Clessie Lyle Cummins

Erik “Big E” Sieben

Bryan “Boss Man” Martin

Keith Foster

Chuck Kemner

Jimmy Ardis

Dr. John McElligott

Steve Sturgess

Susie De Ridder

“Highway” Hank Good

Joyce Brenny

Allen Koenig

Johnnie Bryan Hunt

American Truck Historical Society Founding Chapter

Jerry Howard LL