It’s that time of year again! The Great American Trucking Show is back in Dallas, Texas from Aug. 23 through 25. Learn about different aspects of the industry through exhibits, and appreciate what trucking has to offer as the industry continues to evolve. Get the most out of your experience by taking our advice on how to prepare for your trip, plan out your days at the convention and learn about other services and fun activities that GATS has to offer.
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Pre-register online
Be sure to save yourself time and money this GATS by registering for the event in advance! Register on the GATS website for free, while registration at the show will set you you back $10.
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Everyone must be registered
Whether you are a professional driver, a co-pilot or you plan on bringing your children, everyone entering GATS must be registered! Save yourself big bucks by registering online before the show.
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Plan ahead
With more than 500,000 square feet of space and more than 500 exhibitors, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Make sure you do your research and find out what booths are a must-see, and which ones don’t interest you as much. There will also be maps and directories on the showroom floor that will point you in the right direction.
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Give yourself time to enjoy
Only having three days to check out the entire hall may seem difficult. Plan your day around certain events that are happening each day by visiting the GATS agenda.
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Don’t worry about passing by booths
Vendors understand how many exhibits there are to see, and they won’t take it personally if you aren’t interested in their particular booth. With more than 50,000 attendees, they will have plenty opportunities to talk to other participants, so go ahead and explore what interests you most!
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Stay hydrated
Huge convention halls are known to be very dry, especially in the upper 90 degree Dallas summer heat. Make it a priority to drink plenty of water throughout your time at the show to avoid becoming dehydrated. Stay hydrated so that you can enjoy your time to the fullest at this year’s convention.
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Book your hotel in advance
Worried about lodging prices while staying in Dallas? GATS offers discounted hotel rates in the downtown area through onPEAK.
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Park with TA-Petro
Explore more than 36 acres of FREE truck parking located in the TA|Petro Truck Parking Community at Cotton Bowl’s Fair Park. Feel free to park your truck or RV at no hassle, while also having access to food vendors, portable restrooms, showers, pet groomers, as well as a Sunday worship service. Use the complimentary shuttle services to make your way to and from the convention center as you please.
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Take advantage of Shuttle Service
Shuttle Service is offered to GATS attendees to and from the convention center, hotels in the area and to the TA-Petro parking lot. Shuttle routes and schedules are all available on the GATS website at your convenience.
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Explore the city of Dallas
Have some down time and want to see what the city of Dallas has to offer? The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is less than a 10-minute drive from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Dallas local farmer’s market! Explore the city, and then get a taste of the city.
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Get to know other truckers
After a long day at the convention center, take a load off and park your truck with another 600 to 800 trucks in the TA|Petro Truck Parking Community. Get to know the people you share the highways with, enjoy each other’s company, share road stories, but most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Whether you’re a trucker, a friend of a trucker or are simply just visiting the Dallas area, everyone is welcome to explore GATS. Enjoy the show to the fullest by making sure to prepare, plan ahead and take advantage of the amenities that are offered to guests.
Still have some unanswered questions about the show? Check out GATS most frequently asked questions.
*Updated Aug. 6, 2018