By Danny Gavin, AEM Communications Coordinator --
As CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 grows closer, attendees and exhibitors alike are ramping up efforts to make this show bigger and better than ever before. And the growth that North America’s largest construction trade show continues to undergo is nothing short of amazing – as the 2023 show drew roughly 139,000 visitors in 2023.
But CONEXPO-CON/AGG wasn’t always the giant it is today – over more than a century, several exhibitions featuring the latest and greatest in equipment technology grew their reputations as can’t-miss events before merging to create one designated space for the industry to gather and grow.
“Looking at the history of the show really puts into perspective how much growth CONEXPO-CON/AGG has undergone, and how much work has been done to get it where it is today,” said AEM Vice President Dana Wuesthoff. “And the history of the show represents the incredible growth of the construction industry.”
With more than 2,000 exhibitors, 2.9 million square feet of show footprint, and more than 150 education sessions – all in one place – CONEXPO-CON/AGG has more than earned its designation as the largest construction trade show in North America.
The 117 Years Leading up to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
The earliest days of what would eventually become CONEXPO-CON/AGG can be traced back to 1909, when the Road Show was founded in Columbus, Ohio. The show hosted 40 machinery manufacturers to exhibit their amazing new devices – which were at the time called hazardous equipment. The show, in total, was around 40,000 square feet.
In 1928, the predecessor to Con/Agg, the Combined Biennial Show was held in Detroit, Michigan. Four decades later, the Biennial Show became the Concrete & Aggregates Show.
In 1963, the Road Show changed its name to the Construction Equipment Exposition & Road Show, and in 1969 the name ConExpo is used for the first time.
In 1996 the first CONEXPO-CON/AGG-branded show was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to the three-year cycle that it has today.
At this time, NRMCA and NSSGA were still involved in the show’s production – it wasn’t until 2005 that AEM took on full management of the show. In 2018, AEM made an agreement to operate CONEXPO-CON/AGG under its current name through 2040.
The Show is Still Growing Today
Today, the show is a sprawling display of the latest and greatest construction equipment technology, drawing more than 139,000 visitors in 2023. And today’s show is a far cry from the Road Show’s 40,000 square feet in 1909 – which is the same size as one of the 2023 show’s largest booths!
Comparing the 1996 show and the 2023 show, the growth is even more apparent – shifting from 800 exhibitors in 1996 to 2,056 exhibitors in 2023, 1 million square feet to 2,834,835 square feet, and 84,000 visitors in 1996 to 139,110 visitors in 2023. And in 2023, 24,000 visitors were international, coming from 133 countries, and exhibitors represent across 36 countries.
The upcoming 2026 show will mark 117 years since the launch of the very first road show in 1909, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG only continues to grow its reputation as a can’t-miss industry event.
“The show is also an enormous platform for the equipment manufacturing industry to be able to elevate our industry voice, and showcase all of the innovation that is happening in our industry right now,” said Wuesthoff.
About CONEXPO-CON/AGG
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest construction trade show in North America and the premier event that connects professionals from every major construction sector. Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG takes the construction industry to the next level by helping construction professionals elevate their industry expertise, experience the newest equipment and technology through demonstrations and industry-leading education, make new professional connections, and grow their own marketability within the industry.
For more information on CONEXPO-CON/AGG and to gain access to all the latest news and information, visit www.conexpoconagg.com and sign up for show alerts.
