The 48th annual Mid-America Trucking Show attracted thousands of visitors again this year, in spite of critics who say the show is on its last legs. With just two years to go before the show achieves its 50-year milestone, attendance is down a little compared to previous years, but many exhibitors said they were pleased with the traffic they saw over the three-day event. Here's a small collection of phots taken at various times throughout the show.
Mid-America Trucking Show 2019 in Photos
All roads still lead to MATS in March. The south hall entrance led right into the Paccar display, giving the show a familiar feel from the moment you walked through the door.
Photo by Jim Park
The entrance to the South Wing has traditionally had a pair of trucks on display, but this year we saw a concrete truck and a few fast, sexy cars with loud sound systems.
Photo by Jim Park
Outside displays managed to dodge the rain on Thursday and Friday, but the piper was paid in full on Saturday afternoon, when the skies opened up and deluged the place.
Photo by Jim Park
The recruiting booths in the West Wing were busy throughout the show, suggesting drivers are still pretty interested in what bonuses fleets are offering (or maybe they just had the best swag.)
Photo by Jim Park
Cool rims with vibrant colors on the MATS show floor.
Photo by Jim Park
FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez mingled with show attendees prior to Secretary Chao's presentation on Friday afternoon.
Photo by Jim Park
Cooper Tires had this cool-looking Kenworth W900 on display. Love that "cow-catcher" bumper.
Photo by Jim Park
Driving simulators always attract a crowd. A good training tool, the simulators also provide some entertaining moments as pro drivers try to navigate the various challenges on screen.
Photo by Jim Park
The booth space of digital load board operator Uber Freight looked more like an Apple iStore than a traditional MATS booth display. Legions of company reps were serving drivers with iPads strapped to their wrists.
Photo by Jim Park
The West Wing featured its China Pavilion again this year. There were fewer exhibitors than in previous year, and even fewer attendees wandering through the displays.
Photo by Jim Park
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told attendees that DOT had sent a proposed rule to the White House with reforms to the hours of service rules – changes that will supposedly add a little more flexibility for drivers to manage their time.
Photo by Jim Park
Despite Daimler's absence, Western Star had a few trucks on the floor this year, thanks to a dealer who had brought in a few customer trucks.
Photo by Jim Park
Peterbilt had its new Model 579 on the floor with the Blackout Exterior Package. Judging by the crowd's response, Peterbilt is onto something.
Photo by Jim Park
Traditional-styled trucks like this elegant Model 359, on display in the South Wing, were part of the American Truck Historical Society's now-regular display.
Photo by Jim Park