As CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026 nears, the construction industry’s largest event celebrates its rich lineage — 117 years in the making and North America’s biggest platform for construction innovation. From humble beginnings in 1909, when the original Road Show in Columbus, Ohio hosted 40 equipment manufacturers in a 40,000‑sq‑ft space, to today’s 2.9 million‑sq‑ft, 2,000 exhibitor event, CONEXPO‑CON/AGG’s evolution embodies the exponential growth of the construction industry.
Key milestones include the following:
- 1909 – The inaugural Road Show, Columbus, Ohio, spotlighted machinery soon dubbed “hazardous equipment” over 40,000 sq ft.
- 1928 – Detroit hosted the Combined Biennial Show, later known as the Concrete & Aggregates Show.
- 1963 – The Columbus Road Show rebranded to the Construction Equipment Exposition & Road Show.
- 1969 – “ConExpo” emerges as the new moniker for the event.
- 1996 – ConExpo and Con/Agg formally unite under the CONEXPO‑CON/AGG banner in Las Vegas, transitioning to a triennial frequency.
- 2005 – AEM assumes sole responsibility for managing the show; in 2018, it secures operation rights through 2040.
The show has grown tremendously over the years. For example, from 1996 to 2023, exhibitors rose from 800 to 2,056; exhibit space ballooned from 1 million to 2.83 million sq ft; and attendees jumped from 84,000 to 139,110. In 2023, CONEXPO attracted approximately 139,000 visitors — including 24,000 international attendees from 133 countries — with exhibitors representing 36 nations.
Set for March 3–7, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Festival Grounds, the next edition continues the tradition of excellence with:
- 2,000 exhibitor brands
- 2.9 million square feet of indoor and outdoor displays
- 150 educational sessions spanning technology, sustainability, and industry best practices
- New Ground Breakers Stage
- New Workshops: Small Business, EmpowerHER, Shop Talks and Walks
“A century of progress is reflected in CONEXPO‑CON/AGG’s scale, scope and spirit,” said Dana Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director. “This event continues to elevate the equipment manufacturing industry—amplifying innovation, insight and influence.”
CONEXPO‑CON/AGG
www.conexpoconagg.com
