The Utility Expo 2025 is just under a month away, and anticipation for the show continues to grow. The Utility Expo will bring the utility industry together for the latest and greatest equipment and educational opportunities in Louisville, Kentucky from Oct.7-9.
As the industry prepares for this year's event, AEM caught up with Federal Signal's Tony Fuller to discuss the excitement surrounding the show, what Federal Signal plans to showcase at The Utility Expo, and more.
AEM: There is so much to see and do at The Utility Expo. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s show?
Answer: For us, The Utility Expo is all about seeing old friends and making new ones. It’s a great opportunity to engage with utility industry leaders and see people that you may not be able to see outside of the show. Whether it’s with a contractor or even a competitor, the show is an opportunity to share insights and get information on new and exciting industry happenings.
AEM: What can attendees expect to see from Federal Signal at the show?
Fuller: We’re bringing just about one of everything to the show – Federal Signal has a very broad product portfolio. We’ll be bringing along our Guzzler MT, a microtrenching vacuum unit that speeds up fiber optic installations, and we’ll be bringing our Truvac Paradigm, a compact vacuum excavator, alongside the latest and greatest of all the products that we manufacture. Attendees will have the opportunity to see our vacuum excavators, industrial vacuum loaders, sewer cleaners, and more. We’ll have trucks in our own booth, and we’ll be displaying some of our products alongside our chassis manufacturers, too.
We have two booths again this year, one indoors, and one outdoors. You never know what the weather is going to be like! We like to cover all our bases, and some people might be seeking products in a specific area. Because it’s such a big show, you get the opportunity to see someone that you otherwise wouldn’t if you cover all your bases.
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AEM: As The Utility Expo evolves, so do equipment manufacturers. How is Federal Signal evolving to keep up with the state of the utility industry?
Fuller: We’re constantly growing and evolving – we want to innovate and ensure that our products are utilizing cutting-edge technology to make things simpler for our end-users. In the utility sector, applications are pretty wide, and we’re looking forward to highlighting how our products cover every application. Utility Expo attendees will see the improvements that we’ve made to our products, and more importantly they’ll see that we have a product for every application.
We believe in continuous improvement, innovation, and new product development – we’ve always been this way, and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. We know that the market never stops evolving and neither should we.
AEM: From an exhibitor standpoint, why is The Utility Expo such a valuable event?
Fuller: First of all, the show provides a captive audience. Attendees are coming to one consolidated area, and we can exhibit at the show instead of traveling all over to try and talk to current and prospective customers. It’s one place to meet and greet everyone, and that’s what we really enjoy about The Utility Expo.
It is the utility industry show. Contractors and attendees alike don’t have to worry about attending multiple industry shows, and they can focus their time and energy on one place, seeing old friends and creating new ones. Every other year we have the opportunity to meet new people who may not know about us, which is a great opportunity.
AEM: What should attendees look forward to at the show, or why should they attend?
Fuller: Well, this show is the place to see everything, regardless of what area of the utility sector you work in right now. There isn’t any other place you can go to see every utility product at the same time. Attendees can compare and contrast products, and if they’re looking for something specific, they’ll be able to see each and every option that is available to them and talk to subject matter experts. Every key manufacturer is in one place, and attendees can really leverage the information available.
There’s also this element of people mingling with each other and sharing ideas, as well as learning new methods of working. The advantage of The Utility Expo is that there’s a diverse group of people there that come from all over to learn together – it’s a great platform.
AEM: Are there any other areas that Federal Signal is focusing on at the upcoming show?
Fuller: We’re really focusing on education – it’s always been our claim to fame. We like to teach others how to do things right, how to do things better, and how to be more efficient. We’re in a for-profit industry, and the valuable educational opportunities that The Utility Expo offers help our customers to be more profitable. We also have a lot of experience across our team – I’ve been with Federal Signal 35 years, and we have employees that have been here for 40 years. It’s really a teaching and learning experience for everyone involved.
About The Utility Expo
The Utility Expo is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations, and trends. The biennial trade show, known for equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations, takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. The next event will be Oct. 7-9, 2025. For more information, visit www.theutilityexpo.com.
