The largest construction trade show in North America is coming

LECTURA Press presents an exclusive interview with Dana Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 show director and vice president, exhibitions and event services at Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), about the upcoming trade fair, which takes place on March 10-14, 2020 in Las Vegas.

Firstly, let’s have a look back at CONEXPO 2017. How successful was it?

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CONEXPO-CON/AGG was one of our most successful with the largest show floor ever and a stellar education line up featuring leading innovators. The 2017 show captured Gold 100 honors as the largest show of any industry in the United States that year. The technology and innovation on the show floor extended to our new Tech Experience, which included the unveiling of the world’s first 3D-printed excavator. Our focus is always on providing an outstanding show experience with measurable business value to all show participants, and our 2020 show will not disappoint!

How many visitors and exhibitors do you expect this year?

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is North America’s largest construction trade show representing all industry segments and is the construction industry’s international gathering place every three years. We expect the 2020 CONEXPO-CON/AGG to build upon and match or exceed the success of 2017: total attendance neared 128,000 for the week with industry professionals from 150 countries worldwide, with almost half of all attendees serving in executive positions in their companies. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 will be a can’t-miss event – bigger with more product innovations and product demos and more education to help attendees thrive in an ever challenging, competitive business environment. We also pay attention to visitor comfort. For example, we’ll have expanded amenities and services and a new streamlined layout to make it easier for attendees to comparison shop for products and services.

What innovations can the visitors observe at CONEXPO 2020?

CONEXPO-CON/AGG will offer a glimpse at the emerging and disruptive technologies and cutting-edge trends that will shape the future of the industry, the innovative products with the potential to enhance health, safety and productivity, and the forward-thinking career development opportunities that offer a pathway to long-term sustained professional success. The Tech Experience returns, an area dedicated solely to presenting new construction innovations and emerging technologies that will drive industrywide change and improvement. Just as new technologies are constantly evolving, so is the Tech Experience. In 2020 we will focus on three key areas that will impact the future of the industry: modern mobility, sustainability and smart cities.

What is the main thematic focus of the upcoming fair?

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is always about “what’s next” and “if it’s new, it’s here.” CONEXPO-CON/AGG brings together the industry and serves as a catalyst for industry growth and development. AEM is committed to fostering an environment where the latest innovations, technologies, best practices and networking opportunities are readily accessible for industry professionals looking to gain an edge in our ever-changing and always competitive world. That’s what’s to be gained by attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, where big iron and cutting-edge technology share the stage.

How important is the digitalization of processes in the construction industry?

Disruptive trends and technology are fundamentally transforming the way business is being conducted today. Never before have we witnessed the converging of so many technologies at once such as AI, AR/VR,3D printing, sensors and robotics, all of which will drive efficiency in our industry.  It’s never been more important to keep an eye out for what the future may bring in areas including unmanned machines, machine control, predictive maintenance, document collaboration, and sustainability or environmentally friendly operations. New technologies and innovations are at the core of our Tech Experience and, indeed, all our exhibits and education, serving as a forum for better understanding how they will transform business in the future.

How do you visualize the future of the construction industry?

It’s not enough to simply survive in the industry today. The goal should be to thrive. And in order to do so, industry professionals need to step outside their comfort zones, embrace an open-minded attitude toward all of the ways disruptive technologies are impacting the world today, and learn how to leverage the latest and greatest industry trends to positively impact their bottom lines. It’s that third and final aspect that’s on everyone’s mind today. What is the return on investment (ROI) of these trends and technologies? What can they offer to help employees do their job better?

Trade shows (such as CONEXPO-CON/AGG), conferences and other educational opportunities can help industry professionals navigate the present, prepare for tomorrow and – most importantly – learn how to reduce costs and drive revenue growth.

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Trade show overview

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest construction trade show in North America, held every 3 years in Las Vegas. It showcases the cutting-edge technologies and equipment innovations from the earthmoving, hauling, asphalt, aggregate, lifting, mining, utilities industries and more. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG was established in 1996 when the CONEXPO and CON/AGG trade fairs merged. The last trade show, held in 2017, has broken few records such as the attendance of 128,000 visitors in a week, 2,800 exhibitors or over 2,500,000 square feet of the exhibitor area.