The 2016 AGG1 Academy & Expo broke records for attendance, exhibit and education numbers, according to show organizers the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA). The event was held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., March 22-24, in conjunction with the World of Asphalt.
Registered attendance of more than 9,000 beat the record set last year in Baltimore by 18 percent. Attendees came from all 50 states, nine of the 10 Canadian provinces and more than 60 countries worldwide; 30 percent were company presidents/owners, vice presidents, general managers or chief financial officers, and all together 87 percent were in managerial roles.
“This truly is the global gathering place for our aggregates and asphalt industries, where attendees could easily find the equipment and products to help their businesses grow and prosper,” said Rick Feltes of LafargeHolcim, AGG1 chair representing the NSSGA.
“Education is also critical to stay competitive in today’s marketplace, and our record education ticket numbers underscore the value attendees place on the shows’ programs to help them succeed,” Feltes said.
The sold-out show floor covered a record 157,000-plus net square feet of exhibit space – a 16-percent increase over the 2015 shows, with a record 500-plus exhibitors, including 150 new to the shows. Leading manufacturers and suppliers, from large multinationals with multiple product lines to smaller firms with niche products, showcased their latest products and technologies.
Industry-driven education programs achieved record ticket sales of more than 13,000. Attendees could take advantage of more than 115 education sessions, including the signature AGG1 Academy from NSSGA.
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) contributed education sessions, and NSSGA also offered workshops on strategic sales training and basic supervisory training, and a tour of the Rogers Group Rutherford Quarry.
More than 20 allied industry, business and government groups served as official show supporting organizations. AGG1 and World of Asphalt are overseen by managing committees of industry leaders to ensure they meet the needs of attendees, exhibitors and all industry stakeholders.
“The shows could not achieve this success without such strong industry support; their participation helps us produce the highest-quality exhibitions that provide real value for show participants,” said Rich Prausa, show manager, AEM. “Exhibitors commented favorably on booth traffic and quality of attendees, and attendees were very positive about access to such a wide array of products and companies, as well as education options.”
The next AGG1 and co-located World of Asphalt will be held March 6-8, 2018, in Houston. The shows are held annually except in ConExpo-Con/Agg years such as 2017.