CONEXPO-CON/AGG Numbers Suggest an Optimistic Construction Industry

Reinforcing the global scope of the shows were 10 international exhibit pavilions - IFPE with pavilions from China, Italy and Taiwan, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG with pavilions from China, Finland, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain and United Kingdom.

IFPE 2011 featured exhibit pavilions from the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), as well as an exhibit pavilion which highlights the expanded presence of sensors manufacturers at the show. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 featured the IT & Business Solutions pavilion, sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Educational Opportunities

Industry-focused education was an important component of the show experience, and there were a record number of education, training and certification programs offered.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s education program featured a record 126 sessions across nine tracks, with sessions emphasizing industry issues and trends, management and applied technology, and numerous industry training and certification programs were also held. New for 2011 were a Crane and Rigging Conference and the Green Roads Summit.

At IFPE 2011, the 52nd National Conference on Fluid Power featured a record 114 presentations, and the Innovations Theater offered 14 sessions developed from abstract submissions for the conference. New for 2011 were national conference keynote presentations from leading industry and university researchers, and sessions from the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. IFPE also offered new college-level courses.

More than 80 allied associations and groups were official show supporting organizations, coming from the U.S., Canada and more than a dozen countries worldwide. They promoted the shows’ value and brought qualified buyer groups to the events, and many helped develop direction and content of the shows’ education programs to ensure they met industry needs.

Safety, Training, Workforce Initiatives

A Lift Safety Zone focused on cranes and other aerial lift equipment and ensuring adequate ground support for the machine and load carried. In conjunction with the Crane and Rigging Conference, a Crane Rodeo promoted education and safety at the same time as providing a hands-on operational experience. These and the many certification and training programs held at the shows helped ensure a properly trained workforce of equipment operators and other jobsite personnel.

The International Mixer Driver Championship by NRMCA recognized driver skills and inspection expertise. The AEM teen-focused Construction Challenge competition presented by Volvo Construction Equipment generated interest in construction careers. The I Make America national grassroots campaign had a substantial presence to promote job-creation policies for manufacturing and construction that improve the economy and keep the U.S. globally competitive.

VIP Guests

The shows welcomed visits from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as well as U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Suresh Kumar and numerous other government officials.

Looking Ahead

The next edition of the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE expositions will be held in 2014 (March 18-22) at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas USA.