The overall largest trade show in the United States, the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, just grew even more when it was held last week in Las Vegas.

The 2017 show spanned a record 2.8 million-plus net square feet of exhibits, with a record 2,800-plus exhibitors from the leading U.S. and global manufacturers, from multinational giants to small firms with specialized products.

This year’s show also was looking into the future as it debuted the world’s first 3D-printed excavator and the new Tech Experience, as well as holding a record number of education sessions and other showfloor enhancements.

“Our shows are renowned as an industry showcase of ‘what’s next,’ and this year’s show did not disappoint,” said Rich Goldsbury, 2017 CONEXPO-CON/AGG chair and president and CEO of Doosan Bobcat North America & Oceania.

He added, “From the new Tech Experience, which highlighted the vital connection between technology and construction to the culmination of AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge, this year’s show demonstrated the rapid innovation in our industry.”

The technological changes revolutionizing construction and manufacturing were a central feature throughout the show.

The first-ever Tech Experience pavilion attracted solid traffic throughout the week, according to show organizers, as attendees flocked to see the world’s first-ever 3D-printed excavator, hear from industry innovators during a collection of “Tech Talks,” and engage with the conclusion of the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge Finale, which awarded $100,000 in prize money to winners over a crowdsourced competition to develop forward-looking infrastructure solutions.

“Keeping pace with technology is critical for our industries’ success and the 3D printed excavator featuring fluid power innovations, is a perfect example of the shows’ future-forward commitment to explore innovations that are happening now and the exciting possibilities ahead,” said Robert Mortensen, IFPE 2017 chair and president of HUSCO International.

Check out CNTV's VIDEO highlights of the show.

The new Tech Experience at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017 shone a spotlight on the technology throughout the showfloor, with an emphasis on emerging construction innovations that are driving change and process improvements across the industry.

Three interactive zones gave attendees a firsthand glimpse at the technologies shaping the jobsites of tomorrow, infrastructure development and workforce development.

The world’s first fully functional 3D printed excavator anchored the Tech Experience, with a 3D Printworks further exploring additive manufacturing’s possibilities for construction applications.

The “Tech Talks” forum at the Tech Experience gave attendees a chance to hear from global innovators and technology leaders to discuss what lies ahead. The forum’s content-rich presentations aimed to inspire and inform attendees, with an emphasis on applied and blue-sky innovation to benefit infrastructure projects and construction jobsites.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 offered a record 143 education sessions, grouped into 10 tracks, including a new Technology track. IFPE 2017 hosted the industrywide Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference in addition to hands-on “college courses” on effective use of hydraulics in mobile equipment.

On the showfloor, IFPE 2017 featured the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) exhibit pavilion, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 included the Demolition & Recycling exhibit pavilion from the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) and the Lift Safety Zone from the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators and International Powered Access Federation.

Eight country-specific international exhibit pavilions reinforced the global scope of the shows and expanded the business contacts between attendees and exhibitors: IFPE with China, Italy, Korea and Taiwan, CONEXPO-CON/AGG with China, Germany, Korea, and United Kingdom.

The event also raised $100,000 to help military veterans find quality through multiple charitable events throughout the week.

“These new benefit events offered the opportunity for CONEXPO-CON/AGG participants to not only network and have fun but also rally together as a construction industry community to raise funds to support military veterans,” said Sara Truesdale Mooney, Show Director and AEM vice president exhibitions and business development.

More than 200 U.S. and international allied industry and business organizations signed on as official supporting organizations and more than 300 as supporting media.

“Our ability to work with competitors to organize this event provides an added benefit and contributes to the show, exhibitor and attendees success. As we have said before, this is a show put on by the industry – for the industry,” said Mike Haberman, president of Gradall Industries and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) 2017 Chair.

He added, “Here we can share ideas and knowledge that will help the construction industry to grow and prosper.”

The shows also received U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) International Buyer Program status, signifying their status as a leading worldwide event, and offered a variety of services to facilitate international industry participation, including an International Trade Center onsite.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE were ranked No. 1 on the 2014 TSNN Top 250 trade show list. 

The next CONEXPO/CON-AGG and IFPE will be held March 10-14 in Las Vegas.