Best-in-industry educational opportunities, the latest and greatest equipment and technology, and opportunities to connect with industry experts headline CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, set for March 3-7, 2026, in Las Vegas. Preparing for North America’s largest construction trade show can feel like a monumental task for exhibitors looking to make lasting connections on the show floor.
To help them secure the most return on their exhibiting investment, the recent CONEXPO-CON/AGG Exhibitor Meeting in August brought construction industry leaders together to share insights on what they’re looking to take away from the show, how they plan their days, and the business challenges they’re looking to solve in Las Vegas.
“As we all know, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a huge event, and knowing how attendees plan for the show, what their priorities are, and what educational opportunities they’ll be looking for is key to any exhibitor in getting the most value out of the whole experience,” said moderator Taylor White, of Ken White Construction.
Want to stay in the know about important CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 show information? Sign up for show alerts.
White was joined by John McDonald, president and CEO of McDonald & Sons, Amanda Kurt, co-owner of Kurt Concrete, Ebony Jennings, owner of Jennings Asphalt & Construction, and Nick Parish, CEO of Burns Group for the panel discussion.
Kurt on taking an education-first approach at the show: “When we attend CONEXPO-CON/AGG, we aren’t really looking to buy anything. We’re focused on education, research, and learning about what equipment is available. In terms of technology, we’re looking for the right fit for us. Every customer has different needs, and we take a look at what technologies can fill our specific needs, whether that’s someone at the show or homing in on what type or size of company we’re looking for. The educational component is, I think, the key to longer-term sales.”
Parish on labor and industry connectivity: “I think one of the biggest issues that many contractors are facing is the skilled labor shortage, and a lot of equipment manufacturers are unsure of the part they’re supposed to play in addressing that issue. We’re dealing with equipment connectivity and data, which is partially a solution, but it comes along with its own drawbacks. How does our software in the field connect with our accounting software and vice versa? How can we use data, and how do connectivity technologies work together (or not work together) in the field? There are a lot of connectivity gaps currently that we need to look at solving as an industry.”
McDonald on sustainability challenges: “A challenge that we have experienced related to the new engines and technologies on the market. These new sustainable features lower our equipment lifecycles, and we also have to adjust our budget for more frequent maintenance. Many companies are looking at equipment lifecycle tradeoffs as sustainable equipment gains traction. We want to be sustainable, and in turn we recognize that we’re going to have to plan and budget for even more of this as these technologies expand. It’s going to be interesting to see how far businesses like ours can go down that rabbit hole of new (and more expensive) sustainable technology, and at what point they become unaffordable.”
Jennings on using digital tools to draw in booth traffic: “It would benefit exhibitors to bring industry influencers to the show. Trusted figures in the industry can direct customers to your booth, and attendees are likely to be drawn in by the novelty. The only way that companies are going to get their message across to as many people as possible in the digital age is to utilize digital tools. What sold me on a lot of the products that I’ve bought is the personality behind those products, and the ability of company representatives to draw me in to give me more information. I start planning my show experience months in advance, and wherever the hype is, we want to be there for it.”
Parish on challenges surrounding autonomous equipment: “I’m both excited and worried about autonomy, as it’s sort of a double-edged sword in my mind. We need autonomy to progress as an industry! But, we’re putting entry-level operators in those autonomous machines. We are now displacing not the bottom rung on the ladder, but a gap in the middle. We need to think about the future of the construction workforce and address the unintended consequences of autonomy.”
McDonald on using the show app to maximize time on the floor: “I’ve attended the show for the past four or so years, and I’ve used the CONEXPO/CON-AGG app more as time goes on to map out my show and plan my days. My advice to exhibitors is to provide as much information as possible through the show app, so that attendees can seek out specific equipment and companies. I also recommend that companies find a way to allow for scheduled meetings in their booth, so that attendees can connect with the right people and with subject matter experts to aid their decision making.”
“Without a plan, it's easy for exhibitors to get lost in the shuffle and miss out on key connections and new technologies,” said White. “But if they have a solid plan, and keep attendee feedback in mind, they’ll be sure to get a high return on their investment, and drive future business.”
Learn More
Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the must-attend event for construction industry professionals. The show features the latest equipment, products, services, and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industry-leading education. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is owned in partnership with NRMCA, NSSGA, and AEM, and it is managed by AEM. The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held March 3-7, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For more information on CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visit https://www.conexpoconagg.com.
