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Veteran CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendee hasn't missed a show in six decades

A group of people pose for a photo neat a CONEXPO-CON/AGG sign
Leonard McCurley has found CONEXPO-CON/AGG to be a home away from home throughout his life. CONEXPO-CON/AGG

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 has wrapped up. The show brought more than 2.8 million square feet of exhibit space and more than 1,800 exhibitors to Las Vegas.

After the difficulties faced since the previous time the industry gathered for CONEXPO-CON/AGG in 2020, attendees and exhibitors were excited to see the show's return. One of those individuals is 89-year-old Leonard McCurley. McCurley has attended the show for the last six decades – a true CONEXPO-CON/AGG veteran.

Raised on a farm in Michigan and working in construction his whole life, McCurley has found CONEXPO-CON/AGG to be a home away from home throughout his life. He attended his first show in 1963 and has made it back to each show in the 60 years that followed.

"There are so many interesting people I've talked to; it's an education just to talk to all of them," says McCurley. "I think everybody that is around heavy equipment should go to that show."

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a family reunion of sorts for McCurley. Several of the companies he has worked for in the past have booths at the show, and he looks forward to reconnecting with their representatives whenever and wherever he possibly can.

In addition, his own children and grandchildren will be in Las Vegas this week attending the 2023 show. However, McCurley recalls his fondest memories of attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG were with his wife in years past.

"She went to every show with me when she was alive, and she really enjoyed them, too," he says.

Now that McCurley made it to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, McCurley notes he has nothing but love for the trade show and would like to attend the show moving forward for as long as it makes sense for him to do so.

McCurley says it's impossible to attend six decades worth of CONEXPO-CON/AGGs without at least having some advice to share with newcomers.

"You've got to have a good pair of shoes and make sure you go to see the whole thing, because if you don't, you're missing a lot," he says.

Company info

March 3-7, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
US,

Website:
conexpoconagg.com

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