You would never have guessed the state of the slowing economy based on the attendance numbers from the Mid-America Trucking show held in Louisville, Ky., in late March.

According to show organizers Exhibit Management Associates, the 1,127 exhibiting companies shattered the previous record of 1,072 set in 1999. The official attendance figures, released recently, indicated 76,556 people attended the three-day show.
This was the 30th anniversary of the show, which not only included more than a million square feet of exhibit space, but also the Stars & Stripes and Paul K. Young Memorial truck beauty shows, seminars, free concerts for truckers and other activities.
Future editions of the show may have to work around major construction projects planned for the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. If approved by county officials, the South Wing will be expanded, the East Wing will be brought up to South Wing standards, more parking will be added next to the Executive Inn, and eventually the West Wing will be renovated.
For more information: www.truckingshow.com.