It's late March and that means one thing to the American trucking community: MATS is back.
The Mid-America Trucking Show opens Thursday at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. As always, the show packs plenty to do and see into the 1 million square feet of exhibit space.
What exactly is there to do at the 53rd annual MATS aside from visiting the 870 exhibitor booths? Here are some of the highlights that have an estimated 56,000 attendees coming to the show, which runs through Saturday:
Enjoy the Opening Reception
After the opening day of MATS ends, there's still plenty of fun to be had at the Opening Reception. This is meant to be a chance for exhibitors and attendees to mix and mingle and enjoy some special activities. Included in the Opening Reception are:
- Silent Auction to benefit the St. Christopher Trucker relief Fund
- Wall of Fame induction ceremonies
- Bourbon tasting
- Craft beer tasting
- Free food and beverages
- Live music by Bourbon Revival.
The Opening Reception begins at 6 p.m. in the South Wing Lobby A and South Wing Room B101.
See custom trucks in PKY truck show
One of the fan favorites of MATS is the PKY Truck Championship, which, by the way, is named in honor of Paul K. Young, the founder of MATS.
Some of the hottest custom, working and classic trucks will be on display in Lot N in front of the West Wing and South Wing of the Expo Center. Highlights of the PKY Championship are:
- PKY Light Show Thursday from dark to 9:30 p.m.
- PKY Parade in the Parking Lot adjacent to Circle of Champions beginning at 7:15 p.m. Saturday
- PKY Awards Ceremony, which is held Saturday at 10 a.m. in South Wing Conference Room B102
Attend any of 38 presentations
MATS is meant to be enjoyable, with plenty of fun things to do and friendly people to meet. But, the show is also one of the best places to learn.
This year's show has 38 educational presentations by an array of industry experts. They will be held in two locations: PRO TALKS Stage in the East Hall and PRO TALKS Theater, South Wing Room B104.
Among the show's presentations are:
- Turning the Tide on Freight Fraud with Extended Threat Intelligence presented by SOCRadar
- The Roadmap to a Successful Retirement presented by Truckers Wealth
- Panel on FMCSA’s Registration System Modernization and ID Verification presented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Driver Wellness: How to Help Our Truckers Live Longer and Better presented by Chris Kuna Drive
- The Difference Between Citations and Violations presented by TVC Pro Driver
All of the presentations are free. See the complete schedule here.
See who wins the Big Rig Build-Off
One of the distinctive events at MATS is the Big Rig Build-Off, which pits some of the nation's top custom truck builders against one another. The prize: $25,000.
This year's builders include
- Luke Rethwisch from Tomah, Wisconsin
- Randy Manning from Winchester, Virginia
- Billy Warner Jr. and Cody Warner, from Circleville, West Virginia
- Brian and Thomas Davis from Owensville, Indiana
- Jordan Henderson from East Prairie, Missouri
The Davis brothers won last year's Build-Off with their 2024 Peterbilt 389.
Hear some great music at free concert
On Friday, come for the show but stay for the music.
After the show closes for the day, attendees can head to Freedom Hall for the free concert headlined this year by singer-songwriter-trucker Tony Justice. He'll be joined by country rapper Colt Ford.
Admission is free with tickets available at the Bennett Family oc Companies booth #38801.
The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Meet MATS Wall of Fame inductees
Started in 2022, the MATS Wall of Fame recognizes the contributions to the trucking industry by a variety of folks from founders of major trucking companies, to drivers who have made their marks on the industry.
Last year's inductees included:
- Dan Porter
- Idella Hansen
- Tony Justice.
This year's honorees will be announced at the Opening Reception, which will be held at 6 p.m. in the South Wing Lobby A and South Wing Room B101.
Enjoy free truck parking
MATS is one place where you might not have a problem finding a place to park your truck.
There is 30 acres of free truck and trailer parking. It's located at 1032 Phillips Lane, KY 40209.
But, it's more than just a place to park. The Truck Parking Community includes:
- Free coffee and espresso drinks are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Thursday & Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the hospitality tent
- Free tacos & nachos from Fistful of Tacos from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday night before the concert for the first 400 visitors
- Free shuttle service very 15 to 20 minutes all three days of the show
Truck parking is open from 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to noon Sunday.
