MONCTON, N.B. The Atlantic Truck Show that is held at the Moncton Coliseum Agrena Complex each year will have a different look this time around on June 13-14, 2003.

While the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) will remain the owner of the show, Master Promotions of St. John, N.B. will step in and produce the show.

“It’s a partnership and we are very excited about it because Master Promotions has really been pressing ahead with the planning of the show,” says Warren Transport’s, Vaughn Sturgeon, secretary/treasurer for the APTA. “We will be able to maintain the level of show that we have had in the past and our revenue should certainly increase.”

Master Promotions produces 30 shows each year in North America, including the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show. Mark Cusack, show manager for Master Promotions, attended Truck World in Toronto, Ont. and Truxpo in Abbotsford, B.C. this year to get acquainted with the shows in the trucking industry.

“We want to maximize the space in the Coliseum, there is now a new wing to the building to work with so we are trying to restructure the show so the space is the same for the exhibitors,” says Lacey. “Many customers want to have the same spot as last year, so we will address this issue by ensuring that every spot is equal so a rotation is not necessary.”

Master Promotions has signed a three show contract for the Atlantic Truck Show in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and in the off years, Cusack has announced that there will be another show in Newfoundland which the APTA will get a certain amount of proceeds from.

“It’s a win-win situation,” says Ralph Boyd, APTA President. “It’s nice to see a smaller local company take a hold of this because they know what we’re all about, and they will produce a quality show.”

Jim Campbell of International Truck and Engine Corp., and the APTA’s 2002-2003 Associated Trades Council Chairman, says doing a show is a big job and it has been harder and harder to get volunteers each year. Master Promotions, he says, will bring the time factor to the development at the show which is a very critical part.

“We have a guarantee for this show, which we didn’t have before, and so there will be more advertising done, and more people attending the show, and that is what we all need, people there to look at our product,” says Campbell.