A look back at more than a century of CONEXPO-CON/AGG milestones
After 117 years, the industry looks forward to next year’s 2.9-million-square-foot event with more than 2,000 exhibitors
As CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 nears, the construction industry celebrates its rich lineage, 117 years in the making, and North America's unmatched 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-square-foot space, to today's 2.9-million-square-foot, 2,000 exhibitor event, CONEXPO-CON/AGG's evolution embodies the exponential growth of the construction industry.
A century of milestones
- 1909 - The inaugural Road Show, Columbus, Ohio, spotlighted machinery soon dubbed "hazardous equipment" over 40,000 square feet.
- 1928 - Detroit hosted the Combined Biennial Show, later known as the Concrete and Aggregates Show.
- 1963 - The Columbus Road Show rebranded to the Construction Equipment Exposition and 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.
Record-breaking scale and reach
- 1996 vs. 2023: Exhibitors rose from 800 to 2,056; exhibit space ballooned from 1 million to 2.83 million square feet; attendees jumped from 84,000 to 139,110.
- In 2023, CONEXPO attracted roughly 139,000 visitors — including 24,000 international attendees from 133 countries — with exhibitors representing 36 nations.
Forging the Future — CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
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
"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."
