What can I say about my first trip to MATS, or any truck show for that matter? I was overwhelmed at the level of professional detail that the exhibitors used in their displays. I already had high expectations of it as I’ve read and heard about MATS for years, but could never attend. Usually, when something raises my 
expectations, the actual event is disappointing because I had unreasonable expectations in the first place. That wasn’t the case here as the show lived up to all the billing.
Firstly, Freightliner distinguished itself from all the other manufacturers by reaching out to drivers more than any other. Freightliner’s very own Team Run Smart program as well as their brother company Detroit sponsored the huge parking lot at Papa John’s stadium near the convention center. The parking was free for drivers and shuttle busses were arranged to transport drivers to the convention from there as well. There was a big tent with free coffee and healthy snacks thanks to Charlene Oesterling and Laura York of the Rolling Strong team. They talked to hundreds of drivers about getting healthy and gave us the information we need to succeed. However, the will to succeed is still on our shoulders. I, along with the other Team Run Smart Pros talked to hundreds of fellow drivers at Papa Johns about our favorite subject, trucking! I had lively discussions about fuel surcharges, trucking the Ice Roads in Alaska, logging operations, trucker fitness, saving money on fuel and DOT compliance/regulation to name a few.
I worked at the Team Run Smart booth within the Freightliner exhibit inside the convention center. I met thousands of people as our team signed up over 3000 new members to our website during the show! We gave away four iPads during the show and another one will be given out by a drawing. You will be entered to win if you “like” our page on Facebook by following the link here.
From my vantage point, the show was a success for Team Run Smart and Freightliner. The other manufacturers are busily trying to play catch up to the Cascadia with their new products; however, the Freightliner Cascadia is still the leader in fuel economy evidenced by independent studies. No other OEM is reaching out to its end user, the driver, like Freightliner with the Team Run Smart program. We are real owner-operators, driving Freightliner trucks and still driving our own businesses. Ever forward!