The following transcript was edited for brevity and clarity from a Feb. 2 discussion at the
2024 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference at PGA National Resort.
PIT & QUARRY: We want to hear about AGG1, ConExpo-Con/Agg and other meetings or events you’ve had some success with, but let’s start with AGG1: How has the value of AGG1 evolved since its inception in 2009, and what are your expectations for this year’s AGG1? (Editor’s note: AGG1 2024 took place March 25-27 – several weeks after this discussion.)
SARAH SMITH (XYLEM): We joined the AGG1 show in 2022 in Nashville and experienced a lot of success from it with great customer interactions. Pre-pandemic, companies would send a lot of people to trade shows. Now, it seems the individuals attending are more focused on the specific projects and needs that they have. So, we’ve seen a lot of success because of that.
SCOTT ALEXANDER (SUMMIT MATERIALS): I’ve seen AGG1 evolve, and I try to be a big promoter of it. We get all of the major players in our industry together there, and it’s not overwhelming like ConExpo.
Years ago, ConExpo was not every three years. It was on a more frequent schedule. So [AGG1] fills a nice gap twice every three years, bringing key people in the industry together so we can stay current.
JEFF CARLISLE (DOUGLAS MANUFACTURING): We really like AGG1. It’s not too crazy.
People aren’t worn out for five days like they are in Las Vegas. It is more regional, so you are getting to see different regions coming together. And it’s slower, so you can talk to people more.
I think this year’s AGG1 is like our seventh, and it’s been great. We will continue to go to the show.
WILLIAM WETTA (DSC DREDGE): I was on the NSSGA M&S (manufacturers and services) board prior to 2009 when it was announced that we were going to have to shift to AGG1. The manufacturers all kind of cringed. We didn’t know this was going to work. This was really pushed from the producer side.
We all had our individual shows. We had one for drilling and blasting, for dredging and for plant operators. AGG1 attempted to bring all of them into one.
Well, it’s worked out really well from the first show on – and it’s grown every year.
We are increasing our booth space. As a small manufacturer, we’re going to be in a large booth – even bigger than what we had at ConExpo – just because we get better exposure as a small company. And it’s less expensive, so we can afford to do more.
PIT & QUARRY: We’ve heard a few touchpoints about ConExpo-Con/Agg, so let’s more fully bring ConExpo into the conversation. A common sentiment is that ConExpo keeps getting bigger and more challenging to explore. So, pitting ConExpo against AGG1, how would you characterize the value of each?
CARLISLE: We go to ConExpo-Con/Agg. We’ve been doing it since the 1980s, but we get the smallest booth you can in Central Hall. It’s in the passage where you need to be, because if you’re too far out, no one will ever get to you.
With AGG1, we get a larger space. We’re able to bring more product and have more displays. The customers hang out a bit longer at AGG1 than they would at ConExpo-Con/Agg. Still, we feel it’s important to be at ConExpo.
