Daimler Trucks North America will not be exhibiting at the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2016, saying it is moving to an every-other-year format similar to the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Germany.

That does not mean MATS organizers are planning such a move.

DTNA intends to return to MATS in 2017 and attend the show bi-annually thereafter, according to spokesman Dave Giroux.

"DTNA expects to engage in an ongoing dialogue with MATS show management and industry leaders to discuss how to further supplement the show with additional activities for the collective benefit of OEs, suppliers and customers," Giroux said in a statement sent to HDT.

The Mid America Trucking Show has been held every year at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center in Louisville, Ky., since it was founded in 1972. The 2015 show, March 26-28, set an all-time record for attendance with 81,768 attendees. There were more than 1,000 exhibitors filling 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.

At approximately 40,000 square feet of booth space, DTNA is among the largest exhibitors at MATS, encompassing brands such as Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit. DTNA holds the top market-share position in both heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks in North America.

Despite the regional-sounding name, the Mid-America Trucking Show has become the largest trucking show in the country and is increasingly becoming a global event. This year there were exhibitors from 24 countries and attendees from 74 countries and all 50 states, according to the event website. The 2016 show is scheduled for March 31-April 2.

The IAA Commercial Vehicles show is held in Hanover, Germany, in the fall of even-numbered years in Hanover, Germany. Last year’s show attracted more than 250,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors. The next show is September 22-29, 2016.

Daimler pulling out of the 2016 MATS will put it attending MATS and IAA on alternate years, with MATS 2017 falling about six months after IAA 2016. Unlike the auto industry, truck makers typically do not have big new product launches every year.

HDT was unable to immediately reach officials with Exhibit Management Associates, which owns and operates the show. However, President Toby Young told Transport Topics that Daimler had notified him of its decision, and that “The Mid-America Trucking Show will most definitely take place in 2016.”