Cutting-edge equipment, valuable manufacturer-customer connections, timely insights on pressing industry trends – all of it (and more) will be on hand in Las Vegas a few short months from now at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
As AEM members and industry leaders prepare for the next edition of the show, which is set for March 3-7, 2026, AEM assembled a trio of experienced construction professionals and veteran show attendees to highlight why CONEXPO-CON/AGG matters so much to them, what motivates them to keeping coming back to Las Vegas every three years, and what industry issues are front-of-mind as they prepare for the 2026 edition of North America’s largest construction trade show.
“There’s no better place to experience everything the construction industry has to offer than CONEXPO-CON/AGG,” said Kirby Yakemchuk, vice president of asset management, the Forbes Bros. Group of Companies.
“That ability to see everything in person, ask questions of OEMs, and gain access to the folks that actually design and build the equipment – that was the draw for me to first attend CONEXPO-CON/AGG,” continued Yakemchuk. “It’s even more of a draw now. You can really do so much due diligence up front just by getting out there and seeing the equipment at the show.”
Want to stay in the know about important CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 show information? Sign up for show alerts.
In a roundtable discussion hosted by AEM Vice President of Construction & Utility John Somers, Yakemchuk joined Greg Peet, president, Helm Truck and Equipment, and Craig Worrell, general manager, ASRC Energy Services, to provide a wide range of thoughts, opinions, and insights about CONEXPO-CON/AGG, including:
Worrell on what motivated him and his team to initially attend the show: “The exposure to all the new equipment, the passion exhibited by the people that made it, all of it added up to be a very strong motivating factor for us. CONEXPO-CON/AGG has always been ‘the carrot’ for our team every three years. Because, quite simply, everyone wants to go. And the beauty of CONEXPO-CON/AGG is when you get to speak to the people that designed the products, built the equipment, implemented the technology, just lived it – you can just tell. You can absolutely tell when you’re talking to someone who was at the ground level when something important was developed or established.”
Peet on a specific industry issue he is looking to get more educated on when he attends CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: “Grade control technologies. I thought I had a decent handle on the topic, but at the last CONEXPO-CON/AGG, I attended a couple of different classes relative to grade control. There’s so much to learn, and this year’s show will offer me a chance to learn more about something that, while not entirely specific to my role, is still important from a wider industry perspective.”
Worrell on the ability to maximize his educational opportunities at the show and what is top-of-mind for him heading into next year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG: “My first CONEXPO-CON/AGG, I think I signed up for every single class. It was a huge mistake, because I couldn’t attend all of them and still see the show. I figured it out by my second time around, and I utilized all the tools and resources show organizers provide to help attendees make the most out of their trip. To me, though, I’m looking forward to learning about soft skills. Leadership is tremendously important, and it’s foundational to everything we do. It’s almost to a point where people kind of dismiss it because it’s turned into a buzzword. But it’s so important, and I’m pleased to see so much education focused on it for 2026.”
Yakemchuk on the importance of networking at the show: “I will tell you, the biggest value of CONEXPO-CON/AGG lies in its networking opportunities it offers attendees. I can go through my list of contacts, pick out the name of someone who has experience in what I am interested in or need, call them up, and then get exactly what I need to know. It’s been the biggest advancement to both my career professionally and in terms of adding value to our organization.”
Worrell on having a well-conceived plan for attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG: “Our company requires it. We get into a small group and go through the educational offerings, and a few of us with the most experience help the new folks navigate the decision-making process. It’s so important to make sure you don’t get overloaded or spend all your time in one place or fail to see people you can’t afford to miss. There’s so much choreographing and planning that goes into all that, but it’s worth it for our organization.”
Yakemchuk on the making the most out of his show experience: “There’s a ton of value to be had in finding those ‘hidden gems’ at the show. My recommendation is to take a divide-and-conquer approach with your team, but at the same time give them enough flexibility that they can wander around, engage in conversations, and hopefully come across something that isn’t in your field of view. Because, who knows, it could really be a game-changer for you.”
Worrell on his favorite aspect of CONEXPO-CON/AGG: “What keeps me coming back is I keep remembering all the stories and memories from all the years of attending. Even if it weren’t sponsored by my company, I think I would still attend on my own – just because of the effort that goes into making it a success.”
“We’re so excited to bring the construction industry back together again next March for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026,” said AEM Vice President of Construction and Utility John Somers. “As AEM members prepare to showcase the tools, technology, and equipment that helps build the world around us all, they should be sure to recognize the value of making customer connections at the show and helping ensure everyone gets the most out of their CONEXPO-CON/AGG experience.”
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.
