LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Exhibit Management Associates (EMA), organizers of the 39th annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), has reported that the show was a "resounding success," meeting and even surpassing attendee, exhibitor and show management expectations. 
MATS 2010 launched with an impressive 965 exhibiting companies representing 45 states and 12 foreign countries, encompassing more than 1 million square feet of exhibits and events. In all, 70,647 trucking professionals from all 50 states and 59 foreign countries made the trip to Louisville for the three-day event. According to show organizers, a tangible sense of excitement and enthusiasm spread among attendees and exhibitors, permeating the show floor and signaling a resurgence in the spirit of the heavy-duty trucking industry and a return to economic stability.
"We are extremely pleased with the results of our efforts and with the outstanding attendee turnout. We could not have asked for a more positive atmosphere for the trucking industry or scripted a better turnaround for our show," said Toby Young, president of EMA. "Given our performance in 2010 and conversations with current, returning and future exhibitors, we feel that MATS 2011 will be even better. As we continue to make improvements to the show, add value to exhibiting and offer more opportunities at the premier face-to-face marketing event in trucking, we know that next year’s 40th anniversary will be one of our best expositions, once again raising the bar for the greatest show in trucking."
Show attendees utilized the three show days to visit all of the various indoor and outdoor show features including: The 21st Annual Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Championship, the 6th Annual Big-Rig Build-Off, Mid-America’s Driver Recruitment & Wellness Center, the Internet and Technology Center, EPA SmartWay Area and John Anderson/The Grascals in concert presented by Mobil Delvac. Celebrity appearances included the "King of NASCAR" Richard Petty, John Ratzenberger, Kelvin Locklear of Outcast Kustoms, Ron Capps, Bubby Brister and Ice Road Trucker Alex Debogorski. Award-winning entertainers Sammy Kershaw, Lonestar, Suzy Bogguss and Aaron Tippin were all big hits on the show floor. On-site activities included a FMCSA listening session, educational seminars dealing with important industry issues such as CSA 2010 and driver health, OEM Ride-N-Drives, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash and product giveaways, and many more show offerings. In addition, attendees had much to see and even more to do, with some of the most innovative products and technologies ever introduced on a tradeshow floor, including EGR, SCR, electric, alternative fuel, and "green" vehicles. Once the show came to a close it was apparent to all in attendance that the 2010 show was a resounding success, surpassing all pre-show expectations to the delight of attendees and exhibitors.
Last week it was announced that an agreement has been reached to keep the show in Lousville, Ky., for the next 10 years. The 2011 show will be held March 31-April 2, 2011, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
For more information, visit the show Web site at www.truckingshow.com.
