By Dana Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 Show Director —
Having spent the better part of the last two decades working in the exhibition and events industry, I’ve made my fair share of connections with AEM members, CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitors, and construction professionals who attend North America’s largest construction trade show.
In all my years spent helping exhibitors and attendees make the most of their investment in CONEXPO-CON/AGG, I’ve learned a valuable lesson: There’s no point in making connections at a trade show if they aren’t meaningful and they won’t last.
It’s why we at AEM work so hard to provide show exhibitors with access to all the necessary tools, information, and resources they need to successfully engage and connect with existing and prospective customers at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. And just a few short weeks from now, it’ll all be available in one place: the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Exhibitor Meeting.
Set for Aug. 19-21, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Exhibitor Meeting is where more than 300 exhibitors go to learn the latest exhibiting best practices in preparation for the 2026 show. Whether they’re in marketing, communications, or logistics, this is their chance to gain the expertise and tools needed to succeed in the industry’s largest construction trade show.
Gain Proven Strategies for Connecting With Customers
Why hold an Exhibitor Meeting ahead of CONEXPO-CON/AGG? The answer is actually quite simple: We want to offer a place for AEM members and exhibitors to ask pressing and relevant questions of show organizers, as well as gain expert perspectives and insights related to all things CONEXPO-CON/AGG. More importantly, however, we want to surround both new and longtime exhibitors with like-minded peers, all of whom are motivated to position themselves to make meaningful and lasting customer connections at the show.
I can’t say for certain, but I’m pretty sure no other association or trade group organizes a pre-show event like what AEM does with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Exhibitor Meeting. However, to us, it makes perfect sense to offer this one-of-one opportunity to exhibitors every three years. We’re committed to eliminating unwanted surprises and unnecessary headaches related to the show, as well as properly preparing and educating exhibitors for CONEXPO-CON/AGG long before they make their way to Las Vegas next spring.
Unlock New Opportunities to Achieve Business-Related Goals
There’s no disputing the benefit of in-person exhibitions and events today. According to the 2025 Freeman Trust Report,
- 95% of attendees trust brands after engaging at a live event.
- 87% of working professionals take positive action post-event: visiting brand websites, interacting online, and sharing their experiences.
- 96% of attendees report positive feelings after attending in-person events.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG has a lengthy history of fostering opportunities for show exhibitors to make face-to-face connections, engage with construction industry leaders, and showcase innovative and impactful products. That will never change, but our Show Management Team has challenged itself to take things to the next level by developing strategic programs that help exhibitors target underserved customers and expand conversations far beyond equipment specs and product features.
In doing so, we hope to foster discussions about what exhibitors and customers are doing to advance the discussions that transcend the industry, as well as build upon our efforts to create a sense of belonging and community at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
With all that said, a few of the strategic programs we’re excited to roll out at the 2026 show (and highlight at the Exhibitor Meeting next month) include:
- Revamped award programs
- New opportunities for brands to connect and make a difference in their respective communities, thanks in no small part to a new partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Strategic programs tailored for specific audiences that help everyone feel empowered and included, such as: Shop Talks and Walks; Small Business Workshops; EmpowerHER Workshops (and more).
See, Hear, and Experience Everything CONEXPO-CON/AGG Has to Offer
Exhibiting at CONEXPO-CON/AGG next March? Fantastic. Now it’s time to take the next step in the exhibitor journey. Over a handful of days, we’re poised to provide hundreds of AEM members and exhibitors with everything they’ll need to maximize their ability to facilitate valuable customer connections at the show. Like CONEXPO-CON/AGG itself, the Exhibitor Meeting is not to be missed.
See everyone in Chicago in a few weeks!
