Exhibit Management Associates Inc. said this week that the 2004 Mid-America Trucking Show, recently held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, featured 1,050 exhibiting companies from 46 states and 13 foreign countries. By the close of the Saturday edition of the show, 74,454 individuals from all 50 states and 57 foreign countries had filled the aisles to capacity.

In total, the show encompassed more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space, showcasing the most innovative products and services the industry has to offer. 

"We experienced one of the largest increases in attendance numbers ever recorded for Mid-America," said Tim Young, President of EMA. "Our exhibitors noted the distribution of buyers throughout the halls and the financial gains realized as a result of the ever-increasing quality of MATS attendees. Overall, we are thrilled with the results of our efforts, as is the vast majority of our exhibitors."

Three days of warm weather allowed attendees to enjoy all of the various indoor and outdoor show features, including: The Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championship, The Expedite InfoCenter, The Mid-America Recruitment Center and Mid-America’s Internet and Technology Center, to name a few.

Celebrities such as Toby Keith, Crystal Gayle, Ken Schrader, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Chubby Checker, Phil Vassar, members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more made appearances throughout the show to the delight of MATS attendees. All in all, the show received rave reviews from both attendees and exhibitors.

Notice of the official opening of 2005 exhibit space reservations will kick off Aug. 15. The 34th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show is scheduled for March 24 through 26, 2005, at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, Louisville.

For additional information on the Mid-America Trucking Show, go to www.truckingshow.com.