AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo and World of Asphalt hosted the first St. Louis rendition of the trade show last week, drawing more than 11,500 industry professionals across three days to America’s Center Convention Complex.
This year’s attendance was down from 2024, when a record 15,800 attendees visited the Music City Center in Nashville.
According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), which hosts AGG1, 59 percent of 2025 attendees were under the age of 45, reflecting a positive future for the industry. Additionally, 10 percent of attendees were women, underscoring a growing segment of the industry, NSSGA says.
Attendees converged on the Show Me State from across the U.S. and the world, with some traveling from as far as Australia, England, Argentina and Mexico.
This year’s show featured a record amount of square footage. The exhibit floor spanned more than 230,000 sq. ft. – about 23,000 ft. more than AGG1 2024.
“The 2025 AGG1 and World of Asphalt show offered the increased ability for exhibitors and attendees to connect – from the Community Zone area to the larger show floor space and media one-on-one opportunities,” says Michele Stanley, interim CEO of NSSGA. “Every year, the event becomes better with new innovations and updates. We are proud to offer our NSSGA members this unique meeting environment so they can continue to reach their own business goals.”
World of Asphalt show director Brittany Schmidtke echoes Stanley’s sentiments.
“This success is a direct result of the collaboration and hard work of all our partners, exhibitors and staff,” Schmidtke says. “The momentum and growth in the asphalt and aggregates industry is evident by what we saw exhibited on the show floor and ultimately provided a richer experience for our attendees.”
Ian Edwards, vice president of global sales at Major, says AGG1 provided him with a variety of beneficial opportunities.
“It was a great opportunity to reconnect with our dealer network – the partnerships that drive our success around the globe,” says Edwards, whose company exhibited on the trade show floor. “There’s nothing like having face-to-face time to discuss strategies, market trends and how we can continue to support one another as we grow together. Equally exciting was the chance to engage with a number of new and existing clients.
“Events like AGG1 remind us that while innovation is critical, it’s the relationships and shared goals that move us forward,” he adds. “We’re excited about the momentum and even more excited about what’s ahead.”
Running concurrently with AGG1 was the NSSGA Annual Convention, where Ted Baker II of Blue Water Industries was named board chair. Additionally, Ward Nye of Martin Marietta received the association’s Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award.
Education offerings
At AGG1 and World of Asphalt, attendees engaged in more than 120 educational sessions through the show’s People, Plants & Paving Conference and AGG1 Academy. Sessions covered a range of topics related to the aggregate and asphalt industries.
Lucas Evett of Rose Paving experienced his first World of Asphalt and AGG1 this year. He says the education sessions are something every attendee should participate in.
“It’s worth it,” Evett says. “It’s going to help progress your business, how you interact with people, and the day-to-day operations.”
Jarid Mounce with Arco Excavation Paving also encourages future attendees to take in the education sessions.
“Do it, it’s worth it,” Mounce says. “It’s very helpful, especially if you’re starting off in asphalt. I was expecting to walk in and be like: ‘I already know that.’ But I realized really fast there was a lot more to asphalt than just laying it down and rolling it.”
Audrey Copeland, president and CEO of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, which co-owns World of Asphalt, points to the education sessions as a key driver of the show’s success this year.
“Boosted by a significant expansion in exhibit space, we’re proud to have executed another tremendous World of Asphalt with our partner, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, as well as the highly valued and well-attended People, Plants & Paving Conference that drives industry innovation and crew expertise,” Copeland says. “After a year off for ConExpo-Con/Agg in 2026, we’re excited to bring [AGG1 and] World of Asphalt to New Orleans in 2027.”
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