MATS – Opening Day
It is time for the Mid America Trucking Show. Hopefully you are already in Louisville, Kentucky. The gates open a 13:00 today for the general public. Papa John's parking lot opened up yesterday. We will already have had our press event, where I will schmooze with the professional writers who cover the trucking industry. Yes, my absurd campaign for the fake office of FMCSA Chief, will continue. Hopefully, I will have done some good Schmoozing with the press last night.
As a real trucker my core constituency is other real truckers. The now seasoned campaigner in me has learned not to define “real” trucker in my campaign literature. For as we all know the definition of real trucker changes from real trucker to real trucker. It usually starts with “You're a real trucker if – you've done what I have done.” Once in office my definition of a real trucker is one who drives a truck for a living, but I won't mention that now. Someone might get offended.
The real trucker truck show is in Papa John's parking lot. Real trucking will be discussed with real trucker over the next few days there. Coffee will be served in the Freightliner hospitality trailer in the morning. There you will be able to meet me and my fellow team run smart pros. Tonight at 7pm is one of the highlights of the show. The trucking solutions group will hold its annual health awareness walk – AND TALK. Last year I got to walk between OOIDA's Todd Spencer and FMCSA's Anne Ferro. That was fun. No, it really was. The walk gives us a chance to speak to each other, get in a little exercise and see the outside of Churchill Downs. Immediately following the walk the First Annual Cooking in the Truck Summit at the hospitality trailer. Once again TA/Petro is sponsoring showers. OOIDA is sponsoring the main stage. Entertainment on the main stage includes Joey Holiday on Thursday and Friday. Saturday features trucker singer Tony Justice. The national anthem will be 
sung by Jan McCarter.
The show itself begins of course with the Freightliner booth. There you will see all of our latest innovations. Other OEMs will be there too. You can see exhibitors like OOIDA, and women in trucking. You can see truly innovative items. You will see snake oil sales. You decide. Friday night Mobil Delvac will sponsor one of my favorite, The Marshall Tucker Band.
It will be crowded. It is worth it. Getting from the Papa John's lot to the show and back is a bit of a hassle. There will be shuttle buses running during show hours. Personally, I recommend a bicycle. The bike will get you back and forth between the lot and the show faster than the shuttle bus. Plus you can get some exercise -just be careful. Wear visible clothing and a helmet. Downtown Louisville is about a 7 mile bike ride. Check it out. Transportation news sources will be updating throughout the show.