The Great American Trucking Show saw an increase in attendance this year over the previous two years. Shown above, Todd Amen of ATBS explains trends in owner-operator miles, revenue and net income during a Partners in Business session during the show.Nearly 20,000 members of the trucking industry were on hand for the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas in August, an increase over attendance numbers from the last two years and five of the last six years.
The 19,699 people who attended the show had a chance to see 520 exhibitors, including nearly 100 recruiting trucking companies, and 107 trucks on the show floor.
The event’s new VIP Meeting Setting, which matched owner-operators and company drivers with fleets by experience and qualifications, resulted in more than 100 meetings during the show.
In the Landstar Health and Wellness Pavilion, more than 145 health screenings took place, including prostate exams, DOT physicals, eye acuity tests and more. The mammogram bus from Methodist Dallas screened 48 patients during GATS, and a blood drive from OnRamp to Health gathered 38 pints of blood that could save 114 lives.
Out at the TA-Petro Truck Parking Community at the Cotton Bowl’s Fair Park, more than 1,500 trucks parked throughout the weekend, where drivers were able to take advantage of shower trailers, truck services, pet grooming and live entertainment.
The 20th anniversary of GATS is already in the works and is scheduled for Aug. 22-24, 2019, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
