Excitement building for the upcoming AGG1

AGG1 returns with the co-located World of Asphalt March 29-31. Photo: World of Asphalt

AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo is nearly here, and exhibitors and attendees alike are excited about the trade show’s first appearance in three years.

The Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, will once again play host to AGG1, having previously hosted it in 2016. The return to Nashville marks the first time a U.S. city has hosted AGG1 twice.

AGG1 2022 is expected to feature more than 350 exhibitors and is trending toward surpassing 2019’s record of 10,000 attendees, according to the host National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). The trade show floor sold out in November.

Exhibitor excitement

Randall

Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Kristen Randall, whose company will be exhibiting at AGG1, is excited to get back to the show.

“From advancements in screening technology to top-tier diagnostic tools to keep equipment operating at peak performance, AGG1 is the place to learn about the tools needed to maximize production,” says Randall, marketing manager at Haver & Boecker Niagara. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone again in Nashville.”

Similarly, Major’s Ian Edwards says AGG1 presents an opportunity for his company to show off its latest technologies to attendees.

“Not only is it our first time back at AGG1 in three years, but it’s a period of great growth for the industry,” says Edwards, Major’s senior director for global sales and customer service. “Infrastructure is on the rise, resulting in aggregate material being in high demand. We anticipate that producers will be eager to get back to the show and learn about new screening products and services to help them not only keep up with fulfilling orders, but produce high-quality, in-spec product.”

Saccamozzone

Eriez’s Tom Saccamozzone says his company has had success exhibiting at AGG1 in the past. Saccamozzone is excited for what the return to “in-person” means.

“We are very pleased AGG1 is being held in-person this year,” says Saccamozzone, Eriez’s heavy industries project manager. “We hope we can interact with our customers and new prospective customers to see if we can solve their problems and reduce downtime by utilizing our equipment. We’ll have information on our equipment on display electronically in the booth, and trained Eriez experts will be on-site to answer questions.”

Attendee anticipation

Clay Albright of Caldwell Stone will once again be in attendance at AGG1. He’ll be looking for new products to boost his operation in Danville, Kentucky.

Albright, for one, says it’s been far too long since he’s touched base with exhibitors and friends in the industry.

Albright

“One of the most important reasons to be a part of NSSGA and attend AGG1 is to connect with others in the industry and network, which is much harder to do while being virtual,” says Albright, assistant quarry manager at Caldwell Stone. “Many of the people I’ve met through NSSGA have become great friends of mine, and these meetings are some of the only times we are able to see one another.”

Dibble Equipment’s Matt Dibble is equally excited about getting back to AGG1 and visiting with manufacturers and customers.

“I think there’s probably a lot of people who want to get back out to trade shows,” says Dibble, a member of the sales team at Dibble Equipment, a Mid-Atlantic equipment dealer. “People are eager to get back to doing business the way it’s always been done. I think there’s been a slight disruption to ‘normal’ due to COVID, but I see trade shows coming back just as strong or even stronger because people are eager to get back out and connect.”

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik contributed to this article.