The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) was more than a trade show—it was a launching pad for future careers. This year, nearly 600 Career and Technical Education (CTE) students attended MATS on a field trip coordinated by the Next Generation in Trucking Association (NGT). These students—studying diesel tech, welding, CDL, and heavy equipment—had a chance to network, explore cutting-edge equipment, and connect with industry professionals.
Brice Duncan, Diesel Tech Instructor and Transportation Manager at Hancock High School, described it as:
“Always a great time for the students to get to explore new technologies and see some of the opportunities that are out there in the career field. The ability to network with all areas of the trucking industry is invaluable.”
A crowd favorite? The truck driving simulator from Advanced Training Systems (ATS), which was in use all day. ATS Manager Enrique Allen Mar said, “We watched students light up—not just from the tech, but from the idea that trucking could be their future.”
Students from Patterson High School’s CDL program even stepped up to help others learn the simulator—proving that peer-to-peer leadership is a powerful tool for inspiration.
Student attendees shared what the event meant to them. One student, Noemi Bravo Hernandez, said the experience helped her network and gain valuable interview advice. Another student, Milton G reflected, “Attending this event helped me get out of my comfort zone… I plan to use this experience to grow as a person and make more connections in the future.”
Events like MATS help students realize what’s possible in trucking—and remind all of us that the industry’s future is already here, learning, growing, and preparing to lead.
Thank you to NGT Members who took part in the Bingo Card.
