An experience as big as a truck itself

By Blog 4 Truckers Editorialist

New to the trucking industry, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from The Great American Trucking Show this past weekend. Would it be crowded with truck drivers looking to connect with one another? Swarming with businessmen trying to score deals? Overflowing with free promotional material? 

It was that, and more. 

The Trucks
Dozens of 18-wheelers lined the exhibit hall, showing off their best assets. Shiny red, green, orange and yellow cabs propped their doors open, touting their unique interiors. Some had rainbow leather, colorful steering wheels, sound systems, scenery displayed on the side—all competing in the Pride & Polish competition.  (Check out the winners here: http://www.customrigsmag.com/pride-polish/) 

While those decked-out trucks were outstanding, what really dazzled me happened at the Peterbilt booth. I watched as drivers and business professionals alike hopped inside the new editions of Peterbilt trucks to check out the features. At this point a coworker of mine said, “You’ve never been inside one? You’ve got to go in!” 

Seconds later I was hauling myself into the driver’s seat of a new Peterbilt hybrid. Behind the big wheel, I was my company’s client for a moment. I imagined hours sitting 11 feet above the road, delivering goods across the country. I imagined trying to maneuver the biggest vehicle I’d ever been in. It was pretty (yes, I think you can call a truck that) and it had more gadgets than I would ever know what to do with. 

The Booths
Booths galore had planted themselves in rows, ready to advertise their businesses to GATS attendees. Some were quaint and simply waited for people to take an interest in them. Others pulled out all the stops—free pens, bags, bracelets, hats, photo ops and more.  

Attendees wandered the Dallas Convention Center, looking to find the best free stuff. Progressive might have had the free-stuff market cornered as they had a lengthy line leading up to a Wheel of Fortune-style wheel that landed on items like a yard stick, journal and calculator. (I got a coffee mug, which I was quite thrilled about.) But while attendees waited in line, they were treated to free work gloves. 

Mobil Delvac’s booth had several lines that spilled out into the aisles. GATS attendees waited patiently as, one by one, the people in front of them filled out a questionnaire in order to receive their free Mobil cowboy or baseball hat. 

It wasn’t just about the free gear, though. 

Industry professionals greeted each other, discussed numbers and talked about trucking. I’d venture to say a lot of potential business deals were formed. But most of all, I think truckers really got to connect, share stories, meet old friends and make new ones.