Category: MATS

Are You Ready For This Year’s Mid-America Trucking Show 2023?

Posted on March 21, 2023 by - MATS, MATS Opportunities, mats truck shows, Mid America Trucking Show, Mid America Trucking Show 2023

It’s that time of year again! Every year towards the end of March, the Mid-American Trucking Show (MATS) is held in Louisville, Kentucky. 

What is MATS? 

MATS is the largest heavy-duty trucking trade show in the world where members of the trucking industry gather to show off the latest technology, equipment, products, and services. The event will feature numerous informative panels from industry experts and market leaders as well as live performances from Elvie Shane and Tony Justice.

History of MATS

In 1972, the Mid-American Trucking Show was founded to make heavy-duty trucking shows accessible to the eastern half of the United States. The show was geared towards owner-operators and fleets and aimed to be more accessible than trucking shows previously held in California and Massachusetts. The first MATS in 1972 had around 4,000 attendees and 83 exhibitors. Since then the event has grown to be the largest heavy-duty trucking show in the world with over 58,000 attendees and over 850 exhibitors. 

When is the Mid-America Trucking Show 2023? 

This year MATS is being held from March 30th to April 1st at the following location:

Kentucky Expo Center 
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209

The show’s hours are as follows:

Thursday, March 30th (VIP): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 30th: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, March 31st: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 1st: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Know Before You Go

Registration

Before you head to MATS you should register in advance. There are three registration options available: attendee registration, exhibitor registration, and media registration. Attendee registration is geared toward trucking professionals looking to improve their business and see what’s new in the industry through interactive exhibits, educational panels, and networking. Exhibitor registration is geared toward company personnel looking to present their company’s products and services through interactive exhibits or booths. Media registration is designed for the media and influencers looking to partner with MATS.

Featured Events

MATS is loaded with all kinds of events for its attendees to experience while at the show. There will be many informative industry experts holding educational panels to help attendees stay up-to-date on industry topics. 

Attendees have the option to attend the VIP Executive Breakfast for an additional $100 on top of their registration fee. The event will feature networking opportunities and informative talks from executives from industry-leading companies.

The MATS Ride & Drive event allows attendees to test drive industry vehicles with the latest technology. Participation in this event is free but attendees must sign up at each truck’s respective booth for an opportunity to drive it. The drivable trucks featured in this event include a Kenworth W900 Limited Edition, a Western Star 57X, a Western Star 49X, and a Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.

MATS attendees also have the option to attend the PKY Truck Championship, showing off the industry’s best custom trucks, and the MAC Trailer Winter Nationals Championship Pulling Event on Saturday evening. 

For more information on the event visit https://truckingshow.com/.

From MATS 2 GATS Fitness Challenge Tips

Posted on April 28, 2017 by - GATS, healthy eating for truckers, healthy truckers, MATS, rookie truckers, truck driver, trucker fitness, veteran truckers

We had a great time at MATS, the Mid-American Trucking Show, in March, but now it’s time to get our rears in gear for GATS, the Great American Trucking Show! Why exactly do our rears need to be in gear? Because it’s time for the MATS 2 GATS weight loss challenge and we have the fitness tips to help you win.

From MATS to GATS Fitness Tips

GATS takes place in Dallas Texas from August 24th – 27th, and if you thought MATS was fun you’ll be in for a whole new trucking experience at GATS. However, are you up for the weight loss challenge?

Will you join forces with your fellow members of the trucking industry to lose a combined weight loss goal of over 2,000 pounds as a team by August 25th in the MATS 2 GATS challenge? Do you think you’re up to the task? Well then sign up here by May 31st! You will even get a t-shirt and a wristband for joining the challenge and we don’t have to tell you how cool trucking related shirts are. Plus, ToughTested will even be providing prizes! 

However, how exactly does a member of the trucking industry lose weight? By spending hours on the road and at work without much time to exercise this task might sound difficult. However, there are a lot of small changes to your schedule that you can make to shed some extra pounds.

We understand that the idea of losing weight can be totally unexciting because you know that you will have to diet and give up awesome foods, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Strict diets and cutting out some foods completely often results in rebounding hard and regaining all of your lost weight.

Instead of totally cutting out carbs and sugar learn how to eat healthily and in moderation. Limit your calories and replace bad snacks like chips and candy bars with fruit or nuts. Plan your meals in advance. If you have a big breakfast then go for a light lunch. Also, healthier options like salads with grilled chicken will fill you up more than you think.

Planning ahead and taking healthier options with you in your truck or to your office will help you stick to your healthier meal plan. Instead of dealing with the hassle to pull over for a snack or go out and buy lunch your healthier option will conveniently already be waiting for you.

Put down the soda cup. Instead of drinking insanely sugary sodas to stay awake go for sugar-free options like black coffee or green tea. These options even come iced and will keep you awake longer because you won’t have a sugar crash.

Also, you don’t need to join a gym or adopt some crazy time-consuming workout routine to lose weight, even though they help. You will be surprised by the results you will see simply from moving around a little more.

Try to get in some extra steps by walking around the truck stop or office. It really doesn’t take that much time to hit the daily recommendation of 10,000 steps per day by taking a few extra steps here and there. Some truckers just circle their rigs a few times.

 

Every time you use the bathroom or a tv commercial comes on do some planks or pushups. These are exercises that can be done anywhere, even with limited space. You can use a pair of resistance straps in your rig with some free weights to work out after you park.

The next step is easy. Get enough sleep! It’s hard to lose weight when you’re stressed, and when you’re tired your body craves more sugary items for energy. By relaxing with a good night’s sleep your body will be ready to drop some pounds and won’t give you as many cravings for foods you shouldn’t be eating.

Join the MATS 2 GATS Challenge

Trucker health is extremely important. It’s time to join forces with your trucking industry family to shed pounds and help prevent the health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep deprivation, and more that come with being overweight. Step up and join the MATS 2 GATS challenge!

For more trucking tips visit ExpressTruckTax.com and be sure to share your weight loss tips in the comment section below.

Join us at MATS

Posted on March 22, 2017 by - famous truckers, MATS, MATS 2017, Mid America Trucking Show, Mid America Trucking Show 2017, new truckers, rookie truckers, trucking history, veteran truckers

Truck yeah! It’s time for MATS again. From March 23rd to March 25th the Mid-America Trucking Show will be the place to be. Come out for a good time, we will even be there to celebrate all things trucking.

The Mid-America Trucking Show 2017

MATS is a big deal. It’s an annual heavy-duty trucking event that’s the biggest trucking show in the world. Mats is the longest running trucking show in history and attracts over 75k attendees from all over the world. If you’re in the trucking industry then this is a must-see event, located in Louisville Kentucky.

In 1972 MATS was created to provide the trucking industry with a place to come together to work towards making advances in the industry by sharing ideas, and showing off new, top of the line products and technology.

By going to this free event you’ll be able to take a peek at the newest trucks and technology for everyone in the trucking industry. Over 1,000 trucking companies will be attending to tell you about the services and products they offer. Plus, the 1,100,000 square foot exhibit space will be filled with trucks, celebrities, seminars, and exciting events.

You can enjoy the PKY Truck Beauty Championship, which is named in honor of Paul K. Young, who started MATS. The show involves giving out awards and accolades to custom trucks, and is a site to see! A few of the categories included people’s choice, working combo, and limited mileage dump combo.

The educational seminars include a variety of valuable information for everyone included in the trucking industry. You can attend the How To Get More MPGs Out of Your Truck seminar, presented by North American Council on Fuel Efficiency, as well as the Building Profitable Freight Relationships seminar, presented by Truckstop.com.

After learning and seeing a lot of awesome trucks you can cut loose at the free MATS concert, with Tony Justice, the 2nd generation trucker out of East Tennessee, with songs about the trucking life he lives. Then Thompson Square, the talented duo that earned the ACM Award for “Vocal Duo of the Year” will perform. These events are free while supplies last.

We’re Going!

Best of all, ExpressTruckTax will be attending! You can meet our top representatives and learn about the great services we provide as the market leading HVUT solution. Feel free to ask us about the services we offer, from providing your with the necessary tools to quickly and easily file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 to our IFTA calculator that will help you quickly calculate your IFTA totals.

Our sister companies will be going too! Keep an eye out for TruckLogics, TSNA, and ExpressIFTA!

https://www.trucklogics.comTruckLogics is the complete business management solution for those in the trucking industry. It has innovative features to help fleet owners and owner-operators save time while managing every aspect of their entire business. It’s totally mobile, so they can even check in on their business while they’re on the road. A few of their features include online invoicing and billing, ProMiles, electronic driver logs, IFTA calculating tools, and dispatch management.

TSNAmerica or Truck Services Of North America is the place to go to e-file your IRS form 2290 or Heavy Vehicle Use Tax in the blink of an eye. You’ll receive your stamped schedule on in a matter of minutes! Plus, you can get your EIN, and file your  BOC-3!

ExpressIFTA takes the headache away from preparing your quarterly IFTA report because they’ve simplified the process with their innovative tools for calculating and tracking your IFTA totals. You can even upload your GPS data to get your miles traveled per jurisdiction. All of your records for each of your vehicles will be kept in one convenient location.

Enjoy MATS

To celebrate all things trucking from the pride, hard work, and awesome custom rigs join us at the Mid-American Trucking Show. We can’t wait to talk about the services we provide, learn new things at seminars, and check out awesome rigs!

For more trucking tips visit ExpressTruckTax.com, and please share your thoughts about MATS in the comment section below.

It’s Not Too Late! Claim Your Free Tickets to MATS

Posted on March 24, 2016 by - 1st Quarter IFTA Deadline, contest, enter to win, Federal HVUT 2290, Kentucky, MATS, Mid America Trucking Show, TruckLogics

Kentucky is one heck of a state! Between the horse racing, rolling fields of grass, and the bourbon trail—it really is something else. But there’s something even better that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky.

Every year, truckers, fleet owners, and other transportation professionals unite in Louisville for the Mid-America Trucking Show.

We’re Going to the Mid-America Trucking Show

For 45 years, the Mid-America Trucking Show has brought professionals from all over the nation to Louisville, Kentucky.

More importantly, the ExpressTruckTax crew will be headed to the Mid-America Trucking Show soon!

That’s right, your favorite HVUT e-filing group will be hanging out, giving out gifts, and networking with our current and future customers!

When Will We Be at MATS?

You can find us at Booth 66121 from March 31st-April 2nd, 2016.

Stop by and say hey to us! Oh, you don’t have tickets? If only there was a way for you to get into MATS for FREE…

How Can You Get Free Tickets to the Trucking Show?

Thanks to the crew over at TruckLogics, we’re offering free tickets while supplies last! You can also call us at 704.234.6005 to request your free tickets.

So what are we offering to our guests at the Mid-America Trucking Show?

First of all, the TruckLogics team will be joining us and offering a free demo of their custom designed transportation professional software. As the premier trucking management solution, TruckLogics lets you create and dispatch loads, manage multi-user accounts, and dispatch LTL freight with a few clicks. Check them out today, or stop by our booth for more information!

We’ll also be running a contest to win an Insignia TV! Sounds pretty good to me.

So come on out and meet us at MATS, you won’t regret it.

As always, our dedicated customer support team is ready to respond to any questions you have about e-filing your HVUT 2290s and IFTA 1st Quarter reporting, as well as requests for MATS tickets.

You can reach us by phone at 704.234.6005, by email at Support@ExpressTruckTax.com, and live chat by our website.

5 Trucker Trends to Watch

Posted on March 10, 2016 by - apnea, FMCSA, HVUT, Hvut 2290, IFTA, IRS Taxes, MATS, Mid America Trucking Show, podcasts, sleep deprivation, trucker news, trucking nation

We’re rolling into spring, leaving winter behind, and it feels good. Right now, there’s nothing on your mind—you’re just enjoying the open road. But a voice in the back of your head says, “Hey, what are you missing? You gotta be missing something!”
So just in case, we’re bringing you an update on the latest happenings in our neck of the woods. Here are some news items and events that affect you as a trucker over the upcoming months.

FMCSA Considering Sleep Apnea Rule

The FMCSA announced that they are seeking feedback about sleep apnea in commercial vehicle drivers as an initial move towards a ruling on the condition. Basically, the rule could mean transportation workers in safety sensitive positions who exhibit multiple risk factors for sleep apnea would undergo evaluation and treatment by a healthcare professional with expertise in sleep disorders.

Are you going to MATS? See ya there!

In case you missed it on social media, we’re headed to the Mid-America Trucking Show March 31st – April 2nd! We’ll be giving out FREE tickets to the show, which you can claim here. Keep an eye out for cool prizes and the inside scoop on the latest ExpressTruckTax and TruckLogics developments.

What is Alice Isn’t Dead?

There’s a new podcast shooting to the top of the iTunes charts—and it’s about a trucker! Alice Isn’t Dead follows a truck driver on a quest to find her wife, who was presumed dead. Along the way, the trucker meets unsavory characters, ghost towns, and uncovers a dark conspiracy.

Are you ready to file your Personal Taxes?

Don’t forget, Trucking Nation, your personal taxes are due Monday, April 18th. If you’re not ready to file, head over to ExpressExtension to e-file a personal tax extension! Normally, your tax deadline would be April 15th, but that is Emancipation Day, which will be celebrated as a government holiday in Washington, D.C. So, the tax deadline was moved to Monday. (Hey, it gives you more time!) And that’s okay with us. By the way, make sure you don’t miss out on any trucker specific deductions.

There’s an IFTA Deadline, and there’s a HVUT Deadline

Don’t forget, deadlines are approaching! The 1st Quarter of IFTA ends in March, so you’ll have a payment due in April. And summer is almost here, so your 2290s are only months away. Get a head start now!

There’s always something happening in the trucking world. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest transportation news. Start planning your finances and truck taxes now, and we’ll see you at MATS later this month!

Don’t forget, our dedicated customer support team is here to answer any of your HVUT 2290 filing questions! You can reach them by phone at 704.234.6005, live chat via our website, or email at support@expresstrucktax.com.

ThrowBack Thursday: Mid America Trucking Show

Posted on March 26, 2014 by - MATS, Mid America Trucking Show, throwback Thursday

Happy Thursday Trucking Nation!
This is a very special day – it is the official kick off of the 43rd Annual Mid-America Trucking Show. ExpressTruckTax,  with sister products TSNA and (launching today) TruckLogics, have the proud honor of representing the best online services for truckers and trucking companies at the show.
Now, no Thursday would be complete without a proper throwback and we are going to do it Mid-America style – all the way back to 1972…

The Mid-America Trucking Show began in the early 1970’s, when a private management group was formed by Paul K. Young, to create the largest and most diversified trucking show in the United States of America. The first Mid-America Trucking Show was held in 1972 with 83 Exhibitors and 4000 visitors in attendance. The show occupied a portion of the West Wing of the original Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center

The 1st Mid America Trucking Show in 1972

From it’s humble beginnings in 1972 the Mid-America Trucking Show has grown to be the largest annual heavy-duty trucking event in the world. MATS is more than a trade show. It is the annual forum for the heavy-duty trucking industry, providing face-to-face interaction between industry representatives and trucking professionals. Attendees can network with Fortune 500 companies and media outlets from around the world go to MATS to report on the business of trucking, and where trucking business gets done.

ExpressTruckTax will be at the show through the 29th. If you are going to MATS, make a pit stop by our booth # 72144 we love meeting our customers in person and getting great feedback. Stay tuned for more on the Mid America Trucking Show and follow our Facebook: ExpressTruckTax and Twitter: @expresstrucktax for updates throughout the show.

By Misty Bingham