THOMAS SCHWALLIE (LOADRITE): The difference we see between the two is that the larger show in Las Vegas has to bring more gifted attendees. It’s almost treated as a reward to employees, so the people who show up aren’t the decision-makers. A lot of them are wandering the halls looking for a nighttime activity.
At AGG1, I see a lot more key players visit the booth. Also, we spend more time with potential customers at AGG1 than we do at ConExpo.
DAMIAN MURPHY (PECKHAM INDUSTRIES): ConExpo really is a right of passage for the industry. We use that to reward people, whereas AGG1 is where people go with a plan of action to really look at specific things that we want to get done. It’s more valuable from a business standpoint.
MICAH TYSVER (CRUSH MODE): It seems ConExpo is treated more as a reward to bring employees out, have celebrations and utilized more for customer entertainment and big dinners. It’s a good show, but the show itself is too large. It’s almost intimidating. It’s hard to get around and see everything you want to see.
With AGG1, it’s nice to have a smaller venue. It feels more intimate. In my opinion, more people attend the education sessions. I’ve had better quality conversations with potential manufacturers and customers at booths. I personally feel I get more industry value at AGG1 than I ever have at ConExpo.
PIT & QUARRY: Outside of AGG1, do you plan to explore any other major trade shows in 2024? What other organizations/associations does your company belong to, and how are those entities evolving their trade shows and meetings for the better?
GEOFF HAWKER (HAZEMAG): NSSGA is the largest association we support. Our products are predominantly used in aggregates, but they are useful in many different industries. So, we try a show – something like SME’s (MINExchange) – every year.
SMITH: We encourage all of our sales teams to really be involved in the state aggregates associations. They’re really seeing a lot of success in that.
We tried the South Carolina Aggregates Association, for example, and participate in that as much as possible. We do panel discussions and have involvement.
I think we were also at the Ohio [Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association] show this past fall. It’s really successful for our local teams.
JAMIE JONES (CAPITAL AGGREGATES): We do participate in the Missouri Limestone Producers Association. They have some really good events, and it’s been good for a lot of the vendors in this room.
Something else we’ve really seen is a taking to health conferences in, say, Missouri or Arkansas. We sent a lot of our plant supervisors.
Featured photo: P&Q Staff
