Truck drivers have been a very important link and the first responders who kept everything going, store shelves remained stocked, hospitals got the needed medical supplies, while other businesses were halted and events all over the world have been getting canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some events got postponed to a later date and some moved online if that was a possibility.
We are going to mention some of the biggest trucking events that happen every year, and go through this year’s event calendar to see which events already happened and which got canceled or postponed. These events and conferences are a great place for you to network, stay up to date with the future of trucking, and meet others in the industry.
The Great American Trucking Show-GATS
GATS is one of the largest trucking conferences in the US that usually happens at the end of August in Dallas, Texas. This three-day conference showcases the latest information in trucking, equipment, parts and accessories, as well as access to jobs. GATS provides a free health care screening as well as fitness, cooking and educational demos in their Health and Wellness Pavilion, they let you connect with representatives from over 100 exhibiting fleets in their Recruiting and Career Pavilion, you can visit the New Truck Pavilion to see the latest models of trucks, and to go with all of it are some entertaining events and competitions. GATS is one of the events that has been canceled this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are planning for the next, safe, conference in the future.
Mid-American Trucking Show-MATS
MATS is also widely considered one of the largest trucking shows in the US. It happens in March and it’s home is Louisville, Kentucky. MATS has also been canceled this year due to the pandemic, but the Mid-American Trucking Show is having it’s 50 year anniversary in late March of 2021. This conference attracts people from 50 countries and averages at over 70.000 attendees, the event happens on 1.000.000 square feet and is home to over 1.000 different exhibits. For their 2021 conference they are planning over 40 educational sessions covering current industry topics, a PKY Truck Beauty Championship, they are offering more than 30 acres of free truck parking and to finish it all off a concert and after-party event.
The Work Truck Show
The Work Truck Show is one of the best trucking events that happen every year at the beginning of March in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2019 this event partnered with The Green Truck Summit and Fleet Technical Summit, and in 2020 they also partnered with The Green Truck Summit, this was done to draw more attendees and to provide more information and tips for leaders to implement into their companies. The event offers professional educational sessions that are designed to address specific challenges that company leaders face while trying to make their companies more efficient. The trade show floor is filled with products that boost productivity and efficiency. This year The Work Truck Show had their 20th anniversary and the event took place right before the pandemic so it avoided getting canceled. This event is planned to take place March 9-12, 2021 under the name The Work Truck Week, when they will be partnering with The Green Truck Summit again.
Tenstreet User Conference
Tenstreet User Conference is an event that, many say, you shouldn’t miss. It offers industry education, professional growth opportunities, and individual private sessions-which might be the biggest reason it attracts many. They offer a preview into new and unreleased services, access to vendors, interactive panel discussions and opportunities to connect with peers in the industry. This event takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, mid to late April.
Iowa 80 Truckstop Truckers Jamboree
This event is the biggest truck stop in the country, and one of many to move into a virtual mode, after the pandemic canceled many events this year. It is meant to celebrate truckers and invite them for a few days of networking and hanging out with industry peers. It is also a great way for trucking companies to recruit. This year they had a virtual event where they displayed a virtual antique truck photo gallery, they had a Virtual Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and a Virtual Super Truck Beauty Contest and the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum-100th Birthday Celebration-100 Years of Trucking.
Accelerate! Conference & Expo-Women in Trucking
Accelerate! Is dedicated to women in trucking and is another event that was postponed and moved to the virtual world. It offers more than 60 educational sessions on critical transportation issues and trends, along with perspectives for women in the industry. They cover four educational areas: Leadership, Professional Development, Human Resources (Recruiting and Talent Management), Operations and Sales and Marketing. Accelerate! usually takes place in Dallas, Texas in late September, but this year it will happen virtually on November 12th and 13th.
ATA MCE-American Trucking Association-Management Conference & Exhibition
This conference brings together trucking executives from across the country and it highlights economic, regulatory and business trends. Every year it gathers over 3000 of the industry’s top decision makers for policy discussions, educational sessions, networking opportunities and interactive exhibits. This year it was supposed to be organized in October in Denver, Colorado, but due to the pandemic restrictions, it was decided that it will become a virtual event, and it will take place on October 19-23 and 26-28.
The list of trucking events is very long, there is no off-season for events in the trucking industry, but this year is a bit different. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how the world works, it has limited travel, canceled events, and has impacted many businesses all over the world. The trucking industry has been very important in getting supplies throughout the country where they were most needed, and truckers continue to make everyone’s lives a lot easier during these trying times. The pandemic has also impacted the trucking events and many have been canceled or postponed, but a lot of them have been transferred into the virtual world. On our list, there were a couple of events that managed to be organized before the pandemic and a couple that has been moved to the virtual world, and we are sure that the pandemic and the impact of the trucking industry will be new and important topics on conferences to come, so be sure to check them out. Until then, stay focused and stay safe.
