Hi-tech Innovation on Display at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017

The exhibitors, visitors, and customers voiced widespread economic optimism during CONEXPO-CON/AGG, as a large number of construction and manufacturing industry segments converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 7-11, 2017.

The recently concluded show highlighted the newest product innovations and best practices for the construction and construction materials industries. A forward-looking vision for construction and infrastructure took center stage at CONEXPO-CON/AGG with the unveiling of the world’s first 3D-printed excavator and the new Tech Experience to the largest show floor in history, and a stellar education lineup featuring leading innovators.

“Our shows are renowned as an industry showcase of ‘what’s next,’ and this year’s show did not disappoint. From the new Tech Experience, which highlighted the vital connection between technology and construction to the culmination of AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge, this year’s show demonstrated the rapid innovation in our industry,” said Rich Goldsbury, 2017 CONEXPO-CON/AGG chair and President and CEO of Doosan Bobcat North America & Oceania.

Product Innovations

The technological changes revolutionizing construction and manufacturing were central features throughout the show. The first-ever Tech Experience pavilion attracted traffic throughout the week, as attendees flocked to see the world’s first-ever 3D-printed excavator, hear from industry innovators during a collection of “Tech Talks,” and engage with the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge Finale, which awarded $100,000 in prize money to winners over a crowdsourced competition to develop forward-looking infrastructure solutions.

Three interactive zones gave attendees a firsthand glimpse at the technologies shaping the jobsites of tomorrow, infrastructure development and workforce development. The “Tech Talks” forum at the Tech Experience, gave attendees a chance to hear from global innovators and technology leaders to discuss what lies ahead. The forum’s content-rich presentations aimed to inspire and inform attendees, with an emphasis on applied and blue-sky innovation to benefit infrastructure projects and construction jobsites.

“Keeping pace with technology is critical for our industries’ success and the 3D printed excavator featuring fluid power innovations, is a perfect example of the shows’ future-forward commitment to explore innovations that are happening now and the exciting possibilities ahead,” said Robert Mortensen, IFPE 2017 chair and President of HUSCO International.

Industry’s Best Practices

Comprehensive education programs at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017 helped attendees sharpen their professional skills and improve their business efficiency and productivity.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 offered a record of 143 education sessions, grouped into 10 tracks, including a new Technology track. IFPE 2017, hosted the industrywide Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference in addition to hands-on “college courses” on effective use of hydraulics in mobile equipment.

On the show floor, IFPE 2017 featured the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) exhibit pavilion, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 included the Demolition & Recycling exhibit pavilion from the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) and the Lift Safety Zone from the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators and International Powered Access Federation.

A series of key metrics reflected the improved conditions, which were bolstered by a new pricing strategy intended to reinforce the overall quality of CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017 attendees.

Eight country-specific international exhibit pavilions reinforced the global scope of the shows and expanded the business contacts between attendees and exhibitors: IFPE with China, Italy, Korea, and Taiwan, CONEXPO-CON/AGG with China, Germany, Korea, and United Kingdom.

Global Industry Gathering

Hundreds of industry meetings, including annual conventions of eight industry associations, were held in conjunction with the shows in recognition of their reputation as an industry gathering place. More than 200 U.S. and other international allied industry and business organizations signed in as official supporting organizations and more than 300 as supporting media.

“Our ability to work with competitors to organize this event provides an added benefit and contributes to the success of the show, as well as to the exhibitors and attendees. As we have said before, this is a show put on by the industry – for the industry,” said Mike Haberman, President of Gradall Industries and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 2017 Chair. “Here we can share ideas and knowledge that will help the construction industry to grow and prosper.”

The shows received U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) International Buyer Program status, signifying their status as a leading worldwide event, and offered a variety of services to facilitate international industry participation, including an International Trade Center onsite.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017 spanned a record of 2.8 million-plus net square feet of exhibits with a record 2,800-plus exhibitors from leading global manufacturers, as well as from multinational giants to small firms with specialized products.

• U.S. buyer attendance jumped over 16% from the 2014 show, and total buyer attendance improved by almost 8 percent.
• Overall contractor and producer attendance grew by 10%.
• Total attendance neared 1,28,000 for the week.
• Almost half of all attendees serve in executive positions at their company, and more than 3-in-5 attendees serve in a decision-making role.
• Almost 26,000 international attendees from 150 countries braved global headwinds including a strong dollar and flagging export markets and composed nearly 20% of overall attendance.
• Attendees purchased a record-breaking 52,000 tickets for education sessions at the show, a 26% increase from the 2014 show. Total ticket sales excluding IFPE jumped by over 27% compared to 2014.