Reflecting on a successful ConExpo-Con/Agg

By |  May 22, 2023
Show traffic was at its peak during the first two days of ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

Show traffic was at its peak during the first two days of ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

As expected, the first days of ConExpo-Con/Agg were the busiest for exhibitors. Show traffic slowed Thursday afternoon (Day 3) and Friday (Day 4), and it shifted into yet another gear on the final day Saturday (Day 5) as the majority of visitors had departed.

Still, the traffic pattern for ConExpo-Con/Agg 2023 followed ones from past shows.

“On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I was jammed basically from 8:30 in the morning until the time we wrapped up dinner at 9:30 or 10:00 at night,” says Nate Russell, director of sales and business development at IRock Crushers, whose company exhibited in Central Hall. “We kind of came in [Friday] knowing [it] would be a slow day of the show but, again, it exceeded my expectations. Usually, Friday can be a little slow.”

According to Cadwalader, the nature of this year’s visitors was somewhat different from those of the past.

“I don’t think the position of the people coming to visit is different,” he says. “I think the knowledge of the people coming to visit is different, though.”

Most visitors approached REMco’s booth with a plan, though.

“We had appointments with customers like we always do, but there were people we had never met before in the booth – and they came specifically looking for us,” Cadwalader says. “They had things we could help them with. That’s really what it’s all about.”
Russell also had customers approach him in IRock’s booth with specific plans.

“As infrastructure dollars come out, phase one is going to present a ton of paving work,” he says. “There’s going to be a lot of RAP machines going out with impact crushers. I think that’s going to be a real stronghold for 2023.”

In the Silver Lot, Terex MPS’s Russ Burns experienced a unique dynamic with customers who saw the company’s new CRC1350S portable cone crushing plant on the stand.

Visitors streamed into the new West Hall during the very first hour of ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

Visitors streamed into the new West Hall during the very first hour of ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

“This is my sixth or seventh ConExpo,” says Burns, sales director at Terex MPS. “Every ConExpo, you’ll get people who are pretty excited to see what you have out there. But I can’t tell you how many folks during the first few days of this ConExpo asked me: ‘Can I take this unit home with me today?’ That’s unbelievable. We have this piece already spoken for. But to hear so many customers request to buy it on the spot shows the demand is out there.”

The mood of the typical attendee left exhibitors with good feelings about the state of the industry.

“This show has been one for the record books,” says Daniel Friedman, vice president of marketing at Eagle Crusher, whose company showcased its new UltraMax 1600X-OC portable impactor plant at ConExpo-Con/Agg. “We have seen tens of thousands of people come through our booth already – many with their heads looking very high as our equipment towers about 30 ft. up.

They’re just in awe of the size of this piece of equipment. We’re really pleased with the serious interest.”

Tecweigh’s Sheldon Shepherd was also pleased with the interest ConExpo-Con/Agg visitors showed in his company’s offerings.

“It’s been a great show,” says Shepherd, a division sales manager at Tecweigh. “After two days we set a record for leads produced at any show.”

The turnout at ConExpo-Con/Agg bodes well for future trade shows, Geisler adds.

“If there was any doubt that trade shows were lagging after the onset of the pandemic three years ago, this year’s show wiped that out,” he says. “The record-breaking attendance reaffirmed why events like this one are so important. They allow people to see firsthand the innovation in the industry.”

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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