What: ConExpo Con /Agg
When: March 14-18, 2023
Times: Tues – Fri: 9AM – 5PM · Sat: 9AM – 3PM
Where: 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, USA
Why: 1,800 exhibitors. 150 education sessions. Construction sectors covered include lifting, hauling and trucking, plus more.
What the organisers say: “You’ll meet industry leaders and friends. You’ll build new relationships in the community. You’ll find the equipment, services, and people within your construction field.”
ConExpo, the largest construction trade show in North America, is almost upon us. Those of you that were at the last show, in March 2020, will no doubt recall the drama, the sense of panic even, as many exhibitors and visitors fled the show early as Covid 19 hit and lockdown restrictions came into effect in multiple countries around the world.
Despite this, in many ways the organisers of ConExpo have been lucky in that they did not have to cancel or reschedule like the other two big international construction shows, Intermat and Bauma respectively, had to.
REMAINING RELEVANT
In a world still emerging from the pandemic, however, ConExpo organisers have their work cut out. They need to demonstrate why they remain relevant – especially with many manufacturers reviewing the way they promote their products and how they reach clients, rising costs around the world, and increasing environmental awareness from individuals and companies looking to lower their carbon footprint by reducing international travel.
Coming quite so soon after the rescheduled Bauma hasn’t helped either, as demonstrated by manufacturer Manitowoc’s decision to withdraw from ConExpo. “We have taken a multitude of actions to manage inflation,” explained Manitowoc president and chief executive officer, Aaron Ravenscroft. “Due to the several price increases that we’ve passed on to our customers we do not believe it’s appropriate to invest in a second, large tradeshow at this time.”
Understandable, and not the first time Manitowoc has skipped a big international show, but it must come as a blow to both ConExpo organisers and those who were unable to see Manitowoc’s latest cranes ‘in the metal’ in Germany.
If Bauma 2022 was anything to go by, however, there is a strong appetite for doing business face to face and there is plenty to look forward to at ConExpo 2023.
This is confirmed by the organisers who said that the show is set to be the largest in its history with all available exhibition space having sold out. This record-breaking show is, according to the organisers, down to the addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot. “This gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of new opportunities to show how we are taking the construction industry to the next level,” said ConExpo show director Dana Wuesthoff. “Now at 2.8 million square feet of exhibits there’s more for construction pros to see than ever before.”
The extra space means the show will be nearly five percent bigger than the record set in 2020 and will feature 1,800 exhibitors and 150 education sessions.
FACE TO FACE
In addition, the organisers say, construction pros are ready for the show to return. “Seeing new equipment and techniques on a screen doesn’t compare to seeing it in person,” said ConExpo show chair and Caterpillar senior vice president Phil Kelliher. “At the show, you can see the equipment, ask questions of the manufacturers themselves, and really understand what the equipment and education can do for your career and business.”
Humans are social animals and doing business in person perhaps comes more naturally than doing it over a screen.
Trade shows also provide the setting for those serendipitous moments where old friends and business acquaintances may bump into each other; where crane buyers can closely inspect equipment and maybe even meet the engineers behind it; where people bond over a few beers in the evening.
All these things are not so easy from behind a computer.
The show organisers stress that ConExpo provides an opportunity for visitors to try out the equipment and get demonstrations from the people who know it best. And with so many equipment brands in one place it makes it faster and easier for visitors to compare machines and question the manufacturers directly to determine what best suits their business.
Finally, you can’t underestimate the draw of a trade show taking place in one of the biggest party cities in the world. Sure, we’re all there for work but the evening entertainment provides valuable networking and bonding opportunities whilst also unwinding after a long day. “It’s a great place to reward your team and build morale,” claim the show organisers. “The more people that come, the more connections they make and educational opportunities they can attend.”
With that in mind, Cranes Today sales director Joe Woolerton and editor Christian Shelton will be at the show – so if you spot us there please say hello!
Getting around the showground
Travelling from A to B around a large trade show can be exhausting but ConExpo has you covered. Beneath the entire Las Vegas Convention Center campus runs what’s called the Convention Center Loop, an underground transportation system designed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company that transports convention attendees throughout the campus in under two minutes in Tesla vehicles, free of charge.
