ATA Voices Support for New NACV Show

This story appears in the Feb. 27 print edition of Transport Topics.

American Trucking Associations will be a supporter of the new North American Commercial Vehicle Show that debuts in Atlanta on Sept. 25-29.

In a Feb. 22 statement, ATA President Chris Spear said it made sense for the federation to “support our supplier community, many of whom have committed to this endeavor.”

He added, “The North American Commercial Vehicle Show promises to be an excellent event, and we are pleased to be a part of it.”

The NACV Show is a joint venture by the U.S. subsidiaries of Canadian and German companies. The event is planned for odd-number years in the Georgia World Congress Center.

Three corporations that own five of the seven heavy-duty U.S. truck brands have said they prefer to participate in major truck shows every other year rather than annually. They have said their ideal situation would be to display in Europe’s IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hannover, Germany, in even- number years and a North American show in odd-number years.

NACV executives welcomed the endorsement.

“ATA is a well-known and respected name in the trucking industry, and we are excited to have their support as we launch this new show,” said Joe Glionna, president of Canadian firm Newcom Business Media Inc. “We look forward to their participation in what promises to be a first-class event this September.”

“Commercial vehicle manufacturers and suppliers have eagerly embraced the North American Commercial Vehicle Show, which has almost sold out of exhibitor space for 2017,” said Larry Turner, president of Hannover Fairs USA. “We are proud of the progress we’ve made since announcing the show last year and appreciate ATA’s support.”

As to the nature of the support, ATA Press Secretary Sean McNally said, “As part of our agreement with the NACV Show, ATA will publicize the event and allow the use of our logo and name in various marketing materials produced by NACV. In addition, we will participate in the event in a number of ways and encourage ATA’s membership to attend.”

Hannover Fairs’ parent company operates the Hannover truck show, and Newcom operates two Canadian truck shows, in addition to its media publication business.

In the United States, the NACV Show will compete with the Mid-America Trucking Show, which has convened annually in March or April in Louisville, Kentucky, since 1972. Currently, there is a split among truck makers, with some declaring for MATS, others for NACV and some for both.

In March 2016, ATA said it considered developing a truck show in conjunction with the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association.

Serious consideration of that idea appears to have ended.

“While ATA explored different avenues previously, we are now pleased to be working with Hannover Fairs and Newcom Media toward the successful launch of the North American Commercial Vehicle Show,” McNally said.