‘Long overdue’
For the first time in three years, the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) was back in person.
Even better, the marquee trucking event was celebrating its 50th anniversary as thousands of people attended from Thursday, March 24, through Saturday, March 26, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The 2020 and 2021 shows were limited to a virtual format because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thank you to everybody that attended MATS 50th and made it a great event,” the Mid-America Trucking Show wrote on its Facebook page on Monday, March 28.
More than 860 exhibitors utilized more than 1 million square feet of space, and more than 58,000 people attended the 50th anniversary show.
“We did it,” MATS officials wrote in a news release following the show. “MATS 50th anniversary event was a success and laid a new foundation for the future of the industry’s largest event. With your support, we hosted more special events, more education and all key segments of the trucking industry.”
The return to an in-person show was a welcomed one for many truckers and regular attendees.
“It was great to be back and see everyone in person at the show,” Amer Beco wrote on the MATS’ Facebook page. “It’s been long overdue.”
“Spent my birthday here Saturday after waiting two years to come,” Kendra Nevarez wrote. “Had a blast.”
Educational opportunities
The 2022 version of MATS offered plenty of ways to have fun, but it also provided members of the trucking industry plenty of valuable information.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration acting Administrator Robin Hutcheson met with the media on March 24 and spoke at an information session to truck show attendees on March 25.
At the media roundtable, Hutcheson said the agency is feeling the “urgency” of the truck parking shortage. She also spoke about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s direction to make sure truck drivers are treated as essential workers. As part of that effort, the agency is working on studies regarding detention time and overall driver compensation. Hutcheson said the agency hopes to have the results of the studies in about 18 months.
On March 25, FMCSA provided drivers details about the entry-level driver training rule that went into effect in February and the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association also offered truck drivers informational and educational opportunities at MATS.
OOIDA held a Town Hall meeting on March 25, giving members a chance to learn about initiatives the Association has been working on and its top priorities moving forward. Additionally, members were offered a chance to ask questions and get answers from top Association executives.
On the final day of MATS, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh and tax expert Barry Fowler provided truck show attendees an abridged version of the Association’s Truck to Success seminar.
Entertainment
For MATS’ 50th anniversary, the truck show held a celebration with food, drinks and a concert by JD Shelburne on opening night.
As part of the anniversary festivities, dozens of people tied to the trucking industry were placed on the MATS Wall of Fame. Among the inductees were late OOIDA President Jim Johnston, current OOIDA President Todd Spencer, late Land Line columnist Paul Abelson and current Land Line columnist Bryan Martin.
Other show attractions included an appearance by race car legend Richard Petty and a concert headlined by Clay Walker on March 25.
The final day of the show featured the MAC Trailers Winter Nationals Championship Pull competition. LL