Mid-America Trucking Show Enters a New Era
This story appears in the March 28 print edition of Transport Topics.
A very different Mid-America Trucking Show runs this week, one that will not feature displays by any heavy-duty truck or engine manufacturers.
A year after MATS set an attendance record, organizers of North America’s largest annual truck show said they expect about a 14% decline in the number of attendees to 70,000 people at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville from 81,768 in 2015.
The show marks its 45th year this year, and it runs from March 31 to April 2.
The number of exhibitors again is expected to be about 1,100 companies — similar to the 1,064 a year ago — but they will not fill the 1 million square feet inside, said Exhibit Management Associates, the owner and operator of MATS since its first run in 1972.
Truck makers said they want to split their attention between North America and Europe, where the IAA Commercial Vehicles show takes place in Hanover, Germany, in September of even-numbered years.
Daimler Trucks North America started the exodus from MATS in May and was joined by Paccar Inc., Volvo Group, Navistar International Corp. and independent engine maker Cummins Inc.
The OEMs said they want to exhibit in North America only in odd-numbered years.
But trailer makers will be exhibiting at Mid-America. Among them: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. and MAC Trailer Manufacturing, but not Wabash National Corp. or Great Dane Trailers.
Exhibit Management Associates said technology vendors will play a major role. And there will be seminars facilitated by federal and local government.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will host seminars on the Unified Registration System, electronic logging devices and driver medical fitness.
The Kentucky State Police will offer advice on commercial vehicle inspection.
