This year, the overriding mood of the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG equipment trade show was one of guarded optimism. Crowds poured into the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 7-11, but many were window-shopping. Equipment manufacturers brought out their latest machines with the highest-tech solutions but also were careful to offer more economically priced items for the rental customer. It was a record-sized show, but some of the biggest draws were displays of far-in-the-future technology.
Attendance at the show topped the 2014 event head count, with nearly 128,000 people walking the show floor. Attendees included an 8% increase in buyers over 2014, according to show organizers.