LOUISVILLE, KY — The Playbook, a newly launched knowledge hub and support platform for small fleets and owner-operators, made a powerful first appearance at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) this weekend, offering a fresh, on-the-ground perspective and leaving a lasting impression on the industry.
Throughout the three-day event, The Playbook team handed out over 500 copies of its inaugural Small Carrier Almanac, a quarterly publication packed with insights, tools, and planning guidance tailored to small trucking businesses. Designed to meet carriers where they are — in the cab, on the yard, or in the trenches — the almanac quickly became a must-have resource.
But it wasn’t just about the giveaway; hundreds of fleet owners and independent drivers stopped by the booth, hungry for deeper conversation about business growth, operational knowledge, and elevating their position in the supply chain.
“We had incredible conversations with real people who are rethinking how they run their trucking businesses,” said Adam L. Wingfield, co-creator of The Playbook. “There’s a movement happening, and we’re proud to help lead it.”
Flatbed Momentum and Market Shifts
Many of those conversations came from flatbed operators, who reported a notable spike in rates — a sentiment supported by recent tender rejection data and the surge in front-loading freight ahead of pending tariffs. One flatbedder from Texas noted, “It’s the best it’s looked in months. The urgency in the market is finally shifting in our favor.”
This wasn’t just anecdotal. The conversations at MATS showed a growing awareness of macroeconomic movements and how data-backed insights — like those found in The Playbook’s resources — can help carriers make smarter, more strategic decisions.
Brokers Breaking the Mold
Surprisingly, brokers were not shy about stepping into the spotlight either. One broker from New Jersey, who specializes in hazmat tanker freight, proudly shared that she pays her small fleets and owner-operators between $3.80 and $5.50 per mile — well above the national average.
“It’s simple,” she said. “If you want quality service, you’ve got to pay what they’re worth. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t nickel and dime the people who keep the wheels turning.”
This approach reflects a quiet but powerful trend: a segment of brokers redefining the transactional reputation of freight brokerage by investing in long-term relationships and transparency.
Trust Over Transactions
That same theme carried into another notable moment, a conversation with a shipper attending MATS for the very first time. Her goal was simple and refreshing: “I came here to find a carrier face to face that I can really trust,” she said.