Welcome to Trucks and Their People
And neither would their podiatrists.
For a first-time attendee, the sheer size and numbers can be overwhelming — 78,649 people from 50 states and 44 countries came to the event that ran March 25 to 27.
The event brims with optimism. The economy is good, and the people who make and drive and provide supplies for trucks feel good about the times and the future.
The Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, scene of the show, reveals itself in increments as one drives up to it. (It is impossible to imagine walking — or even taking a cab — to this show that defines motor vehicles.)
The first things to be seen are the rides of the amusement park that is part of the exposition center — the Ferris wheel and roller coaster. But these aren’t in operation, and the flow of people through the main gates reveals the center of the real action.
The action is trucks. Trucks everywhere — big over-the-road trucks with trailers; glossy, detailed, chrome-laden “show” trucks usually bearing the name of a proud owner; trucks that back up to outdoor booths; and the pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles favored by many attendees.
Inside the east wing, there is chaos. It looks as though all 78,649 people are trying at once to get the badges that will let them walk among the 1,100 exhibits.
It is tempting to think that this is just because it is the first day. But it will be like this every day — and worse on March 27 when the numbers, unimaginably, swell.
To the right, a radio station plays country music and hypes the appearance of Willie Nelson to sign autographs. During the show, Reba McIntyre, Alabama and Brooks and Dunn will also perform.
On the show floor, it is a study in contrasts.
The behemoth trucks dominate one section — the familiar names of road-hauling: Mack, Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Navistar International, Volvo and Western Star — and new entrants Sterling and Bering.
Attending these monsters like acolytes before their altars are manufacturing representatives in business suits, with a scattering of models in glittery gowns or micro-minis. Crawling over the trucks are the attendees — men, women and children.
This is a family show, and many exhibits have features designed especially for children — like one manufacturer that had a setup to let the kids drive a truck simulator.
There are all sizes of trucks here. But the Class 8 line-haul models tower above the others, looking with their aerodynamic snouts and crestlike fairing like T-Rexes among lesser beasts.
The trucks — bobtails all, no trailers here — are designed to make a driver salivate. They are shiny and well-appointed, and their sleepers look homey and comfortable.
And they all have cup holders.
Here and there among the trucks are exhibit spaces featuring shiny engines and transmissions and other components.
The show literature says all the major heavy truck manufacturers are here along with all the major diesel engine makers. It must be true. How could there be more?
Another wing is jammed full of smaller booths. How can there be so many products for truckers? Everything from devices to save fuel to a man who claims to be able to cure foot problems.
There are booths that sell nothing but products to shine trucks.
And in the middle of all these tiny booths are huge trailers — all types and kinds — the products of 44 heavy trailer manufacturers.
Everywhere you look, there are people — people walking, people buying, people hurrying to seminars, people eating at vending carts.
People.
To be exact, 78,649 of them.
