MATS on Track!

[MANIAC]

Hey folks, getting things moving along for MATS! Folks that have lift gates needed and reefer unit is critical! Hershey Bar and Almond Joy are attending this year and there are a whole bunch of big trucks that will be joining us also! We are continuing growing the parking lot family to make each show bigger and better! It doesn't matter who you drive for or what name is on the side of that truck! We are all equal and nobody is superior to anyone else when we get together! Commradery and fellowship while breaking bread is what "Breakfast In The Parking Lot" is founded upon! Save your appetites, cause there will be plenty of vittles! Stay in touch with me!

 

[jelliott]

How many expediters are there vs Wilmington?

 

[danthewolf00]

s/t wise tons and tons of people just depends on where you park.

 

[TeamCaffee]

The Expo has just as many if not more Expediters and they are contained. MATS is so huge that the Expediters are spread out in many parking lots and often we do not even see each other.
Many of us park at Papa Johns in a group and have a yearly cookout and get together with all Expediters and other drivers welcome. We always have a diverse group with all kinds of signs on the sides if the trucks.

 

[BigBusBob]

MATS is so huge it's really many truck shows within a show. The parking area's there make football fields look small... the parking area's at MATS make even the largest Petro or TA look small. Imagine multiple Iowa 80's if you have ever been there. EO should consider having an area for EO members and expediters to meet at.... a home-base so to speak. I've written Lawrence about an idea, but it's just an idea at this point.

What would EO members think about having a place at MATS at Papa Johns or somewhere over at the show. A tour bus with some EZ-up Tents, offering reduced prices on products and raffles and give-aways? a cook-out is ofcourse an idea, a large nitely BBQ? Dunk Tank? Spin the wheel to win a prize?? Just idea's.

 

[BigBusBob]

Maniac, you said you needed a reefer unit?? Perhaps Carrier or ThermoKing would be willing to help you/us out in exchange for free advertising? Just a thought. Lift gates for what? You need tables? or ? curious.

 

[TeamCaffee]

The BBQ at Papa Johns has been happening for several years and keeps growing each year.
Jeannie of Bolt and Susie of Polly have organized us for several years.

Last year we had a nice combination of expediters and big trucks. We had a nice tent and several grills. We also had a lawn chair parking lot and that was something to see!

One and all were invited and we all made many new friends. Plans are all ready under way to secure our parking area, grills being put in order, trying to figure out a practical fire pit, and also who will be in attendance.

We had many expediters, big truck drivers, and vendors stop by our area last year, sit and chat for awhile or join us for a meal.

 

[ATeam]

It's cool that the informal gathering has grown as it has but I'd be careful about getting too formal and maybe even too big. When you start involving sponsors, advertising, tents, displays, etc. the truck show people might grow concerned about having an unauthorized show within their show in which authorized exhibitors pay a pretty penny to participate.

I know of a group that tried to organize their own thing at MATS and crossed the line as far as MATS staff was concerned and they were shut down. Go for the barbeque by all means but be careful about staying on the good side of the people who put together the big show that brings everyone together in the first place.

 

[MANIAC]

Yes Jeanie and Suzy are our fearless leaders! They both are awesome people and have alot of resources available to them! Liftgates are used for tables and are very handy as we saw at the Expo! Fisherman and Hershey Bar have 14 foot ramps that we can put between two lift gates that could provide 28 ft of buffet style serving space to free up room on the lift gate for people to use to eat! We have met alot of good people that love to eat and we love to cook! Everyone is welcome! From big trucks to the smallest sprinters! It doesn't matter too us! There is no company segregation in what we do! Commradery and fellowship is what its all about!

 

[MANIAC]

A Team you guys are absolutely correct, Corporate sponsors are off limits in the parking lot, no money will be involved in what we do! All we do is go to Kroger about 1/2 mile from the parking lot and make about 1000 trips back and forth!lol and get food to cook! There are no sponsors involved just a good bunch of folks getting together having a good time breaking bread!

 

[gotta go]

The Expo has just as many if not more Expediters and they are contained. MATS is so huge that the Expediters are spread out in many parking lots and often we do not even see each other.
Many of us park at Papa Johns in a group and have a yearly cookout and get together with all Expediters and other drivers welcome. We always have a diverse group with all kinds of signs on the sides if the trucks.

I thought we park side by side so the signs can't be seen.
I think of the Expo as the family reunion and MATS as the first sign of spring. (And a great shopping opportunity!!)

 

[cheri1122]

Yep - bring food, 'dollas', and comfy shoes, lol

 

[MANIAC]

Hey Guys, Two Words I Learned at the Expo that kept my butt intact! Yes Ma'am!Lol (Genie and Suzy)

 

[BigBusBob]

I don't think the bus idea will materialize... however, it might still be able to be done. I'm in no means pushing a show within a show, as there is already one done right under their noses it's just a matter of how it happens. it's a grey area. like the guys who push their polish? People that are reps might be relaxing away from the show, and people might just strike up conversation with them while they are relaxing at the Papa Johns Stadium parking area.

However, I understand ones concern over the show being outdone by another. To some, a
12 bunk professional touring crew bus has no reason for being at a truck show I suppose. A lounge coach would be better utilized to a certain extent, unless exhibitors wanted to cut hotel costs. Magnetic signs on a truck? Magnetic signs on a bus? whats the difference? advertising is advertising.
a custom graphics wrap on 45 feet at the show??