Putting a value on ConExpo-Con/Agg (Part 1)
A number of those who attended the 2023 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference will be in Las Vegas for ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: ConExpo-Con/Agg
The following transcript was edited from one of two concurrent discussions about ConExpo-Con/Agg at the 2023 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference. The transcript from the other Roundtable discussion is available here.
P&Q: For producers, do you plan to attend ConExpo-Con/Agg? If yes, what strategic goals do you have? If you or your company do not plan to attend or are modifying your show approach, what factors are behind that decision? For suppliers, do you expect ConExpo-Con/Agg to provide a bump to your 2023 equipment sales?
DANETTE SWANK (PHILIPPI-HAGENBUCH): As far as the show, we will be there. It’s important for us to be at the shows, but I look at it as more of a reconnection with our customer base. As far as a bump, I’d be happy to take it. Like a lot of the other suppliers, we have a strong backlog for the year. So, we’re looking forward to going over things with our current customers, but also connecting with new customers.
AMY ASSELIN (JOHN DEERE): When you go to shows, the amount of energy and the interest of people being in person is really kind of rebounding. Do we think it will grow sales? I think we’ve always tried to measure what you get out of sales. But I would agree with Danette that we’re really focused on the relationship we have with our customers, spending time with them and bringing new product launches and awareness.
NICK PEARMAN (ROGERS GROUP): The thing I look forward to – and especially with the NSSGA [Annual Convention] – is getting to work on relationships with other people in the industry. Also, one thing we look forward to when we’re going is looking at new technology. A lot of equipment providers use ConExpo as a conduit to showcase their new technology. It’s good to be able to go see it and talk about it. But the biggest thing for me is relationships.
Says John Deere’s Amy Asselin: “When you go to shows, the amount of energy and the interest of people being in person is really kind of rebounding.” Photo: PamElla Lee Photography
JAMEN MCDERMOTT (SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES/PREVIEW RADAR): We are going to attend – we’ve attended ConExpo for as far back as I could remember. And so we’re going to continue that. For me, it’s about brand awareness over leads and sales. That’s the message we’re trying to bring. Lead generation is also important for us and for our sales teams.
JEFF SIKORA (HAZEMAG): We will be exhibiting at ConExpo and, obviously, it’s a great opportunity to increase sales potential. But it also is a great way just to give back to this industry and support this industry. We expect this to be an amazingly attended show. Having the opportunity to have conversations with people to let them know we’re still here, we’re still supporting the industry, and to introduce new ideas and technology is valuable.
ALEX KANARIS (VDG): We’re very excited for ConExpo 2023. We’ve been preparing for the show for two years, and what we have prepared is [from] our research and development and manufacturing, providing equipment [that will] boost the technology and reliability of our products. We like to see the people who are using our equipment and explain to them that we’re very excited about the reliability of our equipment and the saving of energy they’re going to have.
DAMIAN MURPHY (PECKHAM INDUSTRIES): I’m actually not going, but we do have a lot of people going out. We have specific things we want them to go after. We have capex projects that are coming on in the next couple of years, and we want to get out and see what’s available. We also want to learn about the technology and innovation that’s coming across, and we need some exposure to that.
BRENT WALKER (SYNTRON MATERIAL HANDLING): We’re expanding our presence at ConExpo-Con/Agg this year. It’s really good timing from the standpoint that we’re hearing there’s a lot of excitement. We’ve heard about the sellout of exhibitors. We think it’s going to be probably – if not the best-attended show – one of the best attended. From a timing standpoint, it’s great because we’ve invested a lot in new product development in IoT technology for condition monitoring. So, we will be unveiling that there.
CHRIS WORLEY (ASTEC INDUSTRIES): We’re really looking forward to the show this year – especially after 2020, and this being the first ConExpo after COVID. We’re looking forward to showcasing some of our new equipment and technology. We’re looking forward to networking with some of our dealers, customers and vendors.
JOHNNIE GARRISON (SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES): It’s going to be a little bit of a different show this year. A lot of times when you go to the show, you’re meeting with customers and dealers about projects that are going to happen in the next, say, six months or so. But with lead times being what they are and things booked out, a lot of conversations are going to be for longer-term planning.
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