
Day two of the 51st annual Mid-America Trucking Show delivers a variety of events, programs, and opportunities for folks at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
The doors open at 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, and while the show closes at 6 p.m., the free entertainment gets started at 7:30 p.m.
Here's what to expect at MATS on Friday:
Overdrive and ATBS deliver owner-operator knowledge
Ever thought about becoming an owner-operator and going out on your own?
If so, you may want to check out this program: Partners in Business: Owner-operator Business Performance Benchmarking and Q&A with Overdrive and ATBS. It's being offered at 1:45 p.m. in the Pro Talks Theater.
Hosted will present short- and long-term business trends with year-end 2023 revenue, cost, and income performance derived from ATBS owner-operator clientele in independent and leased dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed segments. The numbers provide benchmarks against which to measure your own operation, also providing a springboard for discussion of business best practices – never more useful in a time of uncertain demand, cost inflation, and topsy-turvy economic forecasts.
See Friday's schedule of educational programs here.
The latest edition of Overdrive's Partners In Business, a manual for owner-operators, is now available online.
End your Friday at MATS with a free concert
Friday wraps up with a free concert by Academy of Country Music Male Artist of the Year nominee Elvie Shane.
A Kentucky native, Shane is the son of a truck driver. He appeared on the American Idol talent show in 2016, being eliminated after the Group Round during Hollywood Week.
Since then, Shane has enjoyed considerable success. His hit single "My Boy" went gold in late 2021 and then was certified platinum (1 million copies sold) last year.
He was recently nominated for the Best New Country Artist by the 2023 iHeart Radio Music Awards.
"My Boy" is featured on Shane's debut album, "Backslider."
Trucker and singer-songwriter Tony Justice opens the show, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Meet NASCAR legend "King" Richard Petty
- 123 pole positions
- 1,184 race starts
- 700+ top 10 finishes
- 200 race wins
- 7-time winner of the Daytona 500
You can meet Petty at the Clean Harbors booth (#16140 in the North Wing) Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
MATS concludes Saturday. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.