AEM: ‘Overwhelming majority’ of ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 exhibitors to attend

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 kicks off March 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Photo: ConExpo-Con/Agg

The start of ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 is just a few days away. With the close of the business week, show organizers confirmed that the “overwhelming majority” of exhibitors will participate in the March 10-14 trade show despite concerns related to the coronavirus.

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which manages ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE, the exhibitor cancellations it has experienced for ConExpo-Con/Agg total 44,950 sq. ft.

About 2.7 million net sq. ft. of exhibit space was planned for ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020, meaning the canceled exhibitors represent 1.7 percent of the total space. AEM resold 15,000 of the 44,950 sq. ft. of canceled space.

The most significant withdrawal from ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 is the Volvo Group, whose business areas jointly decided not to attend due to the outbreak and concerns related to the coronavirus.

“We are great supporters of ConExpo, and despite being in advanced preparations for this year’s event, we believe it is the right thing to do to withdraw at this late stage,” says Melker Jernberg, executive vice president of Volvo Group and president of Volvo CE. “Our first concern is the well-being of employees, customers and the wider public.”

The Volvo Group’s withdrawal from the show includes Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), Volvo Penta, Volvo Financial Services, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, SDLG and Terex Trucks.

The Volvo CE display will, however, still be open during the show, as a small number of locally hired independent staff will be on the site.

“It’s very disappointing not to be attending, but our first priority is the health and safety of our employees and others,” Jernberg says. “Given this, it is with reluctance that it has been decided not to participate in this year’s show.”

In a statement at week’s end, ConExpo-Con/Agg organizers reiterated their commitment to hosting a safe and successful show.

“We know customers are committed to attending the show in numbers and they are expecting to see and purchase equipment from the manufacturers of the best equipment in the world,” says Dennis Slater, AEM president.

For P&Q’s full coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020, visit our show page with the latest news, features and developments in equipment and technology.