Many might think I’m a little unbalanced for “missing” the 2012 Mid America Trucking Show – especially since sleep is in such short supply during the five or more days trucking reporters like myself are on the ground covering the event.
[Actually, folks think I’m a little unbalanced period … but for other reasons … and THAT is a story for another day!]
Yet the annual gathering of truck manufacturers, suppliers, fleets and (of course) a veritable sea of drivers presents a truly rare and unique opportunity to truly “feel the pulse” of this industry built upon sweat, blood, and lots of rolling steel. Indeed, it is a cornucopia in many ways of all sorts of unending stories about big rigs and life on the unending highways stitching America together.
Volvo Trucks for example brought a professional film crew to the annual Mid America truck fest to capture some of the sights and sounds of what’s become the 15thlargest trade show in North America. The 15thlargest trade show in North America -- wow! That’s saying something I think! [And thus no wonder my feet are so worn out by the end of it!]
Jaye Young, U.S. country marketing manager for the truck tire division of Michelin, provided her own unique video tour of Mid America this year.
One of the largest displays ever crafted in the four decade history of Mid America came to life this year courtesy of Navistar, which build a booth large enough to house 59 different trucks, movie screens, stages, and countless numbers of truck-related components – from engines to suspensions.
Indeed, all sorts of vendors and suppliers to the U.S. trucking industry picked up video cameras this year to provide their own take on an annual event that’s become part trade show and part state fair in many ways.
So we bid once again adieu to the 2012 incarnation of Mid America – and begin the long wait for this industry’s signature annual event to come round once more in 2013.