Ever been to a trucking trade show? If not, you need to get to one because they’re both fun and educational. In this Industry, we have MATS (Mid-America Trucking Show) by far the largest show in the nation held each year in March in Louisville, Kentucky. I actually met Charlie Daniels and Jo Dee Messina this year and walked away with their autographs. We have GATS (Great American Trucking Show) in Dallas, Texas, which is usually held in late August or early September. Make sure you ride the bull at Gilleys if you go and get to the Three Forks Restaurant. There’s the Truck Show in Las Vegas, Nevada held every June (that’s my favorite because of the location). I met Elvis there this Summer. One young lady even asked me for my autograph! And there’s NATS (North American Truck Show) held in Boston, Massachusetts in April… just to name a few.

Trade shows are great networking opportunities. You get to meet representatives from many different companies and agencies regulating the industry. There are usually seminars and workshops (some are free) regarding safety and compliance. Truckers usually walk away with bags filled with give-a-ways and information packets about products and services of interest to truckers. They are usually sponsored by big rig manufacturers like Peterbilt and Freightliner. Sometimes, they even walk away with a new job, insurance company, or truck parts and accessories. At DOTAuthority.com, we go to all of the big shows each year to exhibit our services and meet with truckers just like you. We have offered a few free seminars on getting authority for the past few years at these shows. In fact, we at DOTAuthority.com like these shows so much that we’ve decided to take it to the next level and produce and manage our own annual trade show each February in sunny Orlando, Florida: the “OTC.” 

“OTC” stands for Orlando Truckers’ Conference. The OTC is a special, new Industry trade show for average truckers focused on education, entertainment and networking. Unlike most “truck shows,” which are geared toward showing off trucks and bringing truckers and recruiters together, the OTC is focused on helping truckers make more money in trucking by getting their own transportation business license. Essentially, the idea is to cut out the middle man… so don’t expect too many recruiters there.

 Admission to the OTC is $10. Those truckers who attend next year (February 16-18, 2007) at the Orange County Convention Center will learn the secrets that trucking company executives know; namely, how to find freight and how to set freight rates. There will be up to 100 exhibitors and business/safety seminars offered by DOTAuthority.com, Florida DOT, Highway Watch and other companies. Big rig parking is free and there will also be a free concert for pre-registered CDL-holders by the “Road Hammers”. For more information, call 888 414-1874 or visit: www.go2otc.com. So, if you’re looking to make real money in trucking, as the radio jingle says: “Meet me at the OTC!”

- James P. Lamb        
USDOT Practitioner