The Mid-America Trucking Show last week concluded its 2026 event, welcoming 53,507 attendees from all 50 states and 55 countries to the Kentucky Exposition Center.
“Despite a year defined by economic volatility and a testing freight market, the final attendance numbers signal an industry that is not only enduring but actively preparing for a return to growth,” according to a statement from show organizers.
MATS also welcomed 830 exhibiting companies representing 44 states and 13 countries across more than one million square feet of exhibits, education, and events.
“In a landscape of uncertainty, the industry looks for a roadmap,” said Toby Young, President of The Mid-America Trucking Show. “The turnout this year proved that, regardless of market fluctuations, in-person connections, education, and collaboration are vital for all industry stakeholders in the year ahead. MATS 2026 wasn’t just a trade show; it was a strategic gathering of professionals seeking the tools and partnerships necessary to navigate the current cycle with confidence.”
Following the success of MATS 2026, planning is already underway for an exciting milestone: the 55th anniversary of the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2027, which will take place March 18-20, 2027.
3 drivers out of service in Oregon inspections
On March 26, 2026, our the Salem, Oregon Police Department’s Traffic Team conducted commercial vehicle safety inspections near Hawthorne Avenue Northeast and Market Street Northeast. Officers stopped qualifying commercial motor vehicles and escorted them to a stationary inspection site at the park and ride.
Inspection results included:
• 13 trucks inspected
• 73 equipment violations identified
• 26 critical out-of-service violations
• 3 driver violations (all out of service)
• 13 carrier violations discovered
• 5 citations issued
• 2 vehicles towed
One driver was arrested for failure to carry or present a license and unlawful possession of a firearm. The driver was transported to Marion County Jail, and the firearm was seized.
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