In March, a group of CCG folks attended the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY. Our goals were to learn about the trends from last year and get a preview of what’s to come in 2025, for the transportation industry (legally, logistically, and technologically). The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) is an annual trade show for transportation industry professionals, including truck drivers. The event showcases the newest equipment and technology, offers educational sessions presented by industry experts, and provides attendees with the largest opportunity of the year to learn, connect, and grow their respective businesses.
“For over 50 years, the Mid-America Trucking Show has set the standard for events in the trucking industry. MATS long-running record as the industry’s largest and most well-attended annual event is rooted in tradition. A tradition of connecting industry stakeholders in meaningful ways that facilitate collaboration and the advancement of the industry.”
– MATS Website
Below are the findings the CCG team gathered from attending MATS 2025.
This year’s truck show featured an updated floor plan with all the exhibits now 100% connected, which allowed visitors to more easily meander through the hall and find the booths, education sessions, and meeting rooms they were looking for. Upon entering from the South Wing, the visitors were greeted by a brilliant array of show trucks competing in that weekend’s coveted PKY Truck Beauty Championship. Featured trucks ranged from brand-new, top-of-the-line sleepers sparkling with chrome to a 1930 International C30. The C30 used to haul cattle, hay, tobacco, and farm supplies in and around Gardnersville, KY until 1952, and was later restored by the original owners’ grandson.
With nearly 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000+ attendees, our team had the opportunity to connect with dealers, prior colleagues, co-workers, friends, industry professionals, affiliate companies, customers, and potential new customers who need financing. The show floor even featured a dump truck financed by one of our sales reps in attendance!
The team also attended several educational seminars throughout the week, including talks from:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and DAT Freight & Analytics leadership highlighted some of the new year's federal goals and administration.
- A how-to guide for owner-operators looking to establish their own company.
- Talks on freight fraud and future measures to combat fraud.
- Discussions on how truckers can improve cash flow.
Key highlights and takeaways from these sessions include:
- Washington’s emphasis on deregulation: Jesse Elison, Chief Counsel at the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, stated: “We are definitely entering into a deregulatory environment. You remember, Trump 1.0 was 2 to 1; now it’s 10 to 1… you gotta get rid of 10 rules for every rule that you add.”
- Sean Duffy, the new Secretary of Transportation, is the first in the position to have held a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which he held for approximately 30 years. This means he brings a driver’s perspective to the position.
- The day before MATS, Derek Barrs, former Florida Highway Patrol Chief, was appointed to head the FMCSA. If confirmed by Congress, he will be the first permanent administrator since January 2024.
- The industry is concentrating on parking availability for drivers, emphasizing safety.
- Freight fraud is now an $800 million issue, quadrupling last year. Combative measures to tackle the growing concern include:
- Updating and simplifying ID verification protocol for truckers
- Innovative trucking tech with an emphasis on enhanced security
- New legislation allowing the FMCSA to act swiftly and impose harsh civil penalties on bad actors
- Widespread education so that drivers are cognizant and know how to spot typical scams.
It is no secret that 2024 was a tough year for the trucking industry. With spot rates struggling to keep up with increased operational costs and interest rates, truckers nationwide have been struggling more than ever to pay the bills. And with tariffs and EPA emissions regulations looming for semis in 2027, disruption has yet to slow down for truckers. But the attendance at MATS 2025 did instill a renewed sense of optimism. It is clear that truckers’ well-being is a significant pain point for our state and federal governments, and work is being done to act upon that sentiment. And from conversations heard on the show floor, folks seemed to be excited about what the future holds for the transportation industry.
All in all, our team felt that the event was a huge success, and we look forward to attending MATS 2026!
