World of Concrete
This year will be a busy year for construction professionals, with big trade shows on the horizon in Q1. First up is World of Concrete (WOC), held Jan. 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Las Vegas. Education sessions begin Jan. 19, and the exhibit hall opens Jan. 20. WOC is an annual event for concrete and masonry pros in the commercial construction space. This year’s show will feature 150-plus educational sessions, 200 first-time WOC exhibitors and almost 100 product categories to explore.
Educational sessions include the following:
- 9 Building Blocks of Company Culture to Increase Profits & Productivity — Learn nine key actions to increase retention, improve morale and boost productivity.
- Maintaining Structural Safety: Avoiding Collapse, Structural Deficiencies & Construction Defects — This session covers proper shoring and reshoring techniques, signs of structural distress and debris loading tips.
- Bridging the Gap Between General Contractor & Engineer — This workshop addresses collaboration challenges and improving construction productivity through enhanced communication.
In addition to education, WOC offers an array of events or demonstrations, including an artificial rock sculpting showcase, Scaffold & Access Industry Association’s 2026 Scaffold Builders Competition, Concrete Industry Management’s live and silent auctions to support university programs, and Spec Mix’s Bricklayer 500 World Championship.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Just six weeks after WOC, construction industry folks will head back to Vegas for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, which takes place March 3-7 at the LVCC. Held every three years, CONEXPO is the largest construction trade show in North America. The 2023 edition had a record-breaking 139,000 registered attendees. This year’s showing promises to be another stunner with more than 2,000 exhibitors, 2.9 million square feet of exhibits and 150 education sessions.
CONEXPO will show off its first-ever Ground Breakers Stage, which will feature presentations on the latest autonomous technology, workforce innovations and sustainability solutions. Show Director Dana Wuesthoff said: “The Ground Breakers Stage gives attendees a front-row seat to the ideas and investments shaping construction’s global future.”
With original equipment manufacturers, tech experts and construction firms from all over the world planning to showcase their latest and greatest, you won’t want to miss this one.
Sneak Peek: DEVELON Returns to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
DEVELON will return to CONEXPO-CON/AGG from March 3–7, exhibiting a comprehensive lineup of construction equipment at outdoor booth F32054.
The exhibit will highlight new heavy and compact DEVELON machines, all equipped with multiple features for productivity, safety and uptime protection. A major introduction will be the next-generation DEVELON excavator lineup, offering advancements in smart technology. The booth will also showcase current innovative products, including articulated dump trucks, dozers, wheel loaders, mini excavators and compact track loaders.
Attendees can see the power of the equipment with live demos featuring a DEVELON excavator, dozer and wheel loader. A major attraction will be the compact equipment operator challenge, offering hands-on experience with a mini excavator and a compact track loader to test operating skills.
The exhibit will feature areas detailing the history of DEVELON, current innovations like the Transparent Bucket and Smart X-Care service, and future concepts such as Concept-X2. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore these advanced features and future machine concepts through immersive experiences, including mixed reality and virtual reality demonstrations.
For the first time, DEVELON merchandise will be available for purchase on-site.
Your Trade Show Checklist
Download the apps.
Both WOC and CONEXPO offer mobile apps for attendees. You can see a map of the show floor, search for exhibitors, create your own planner and more. The maps are a must — it’s easy to get disoriented, and these tools can help you navigate the halls like a pro. Jef White, editor-in-chief of THE SHOP magazine (and seasoned trade show attendee), advises: “Don’t underestimate the size of the LVCC and/or the crowds. The LVCC is a big place, and with constant upgrades and improvements, it only seems to be getting bigger.” Visit worldofconcrete.com and conexpoconagg.com for more information.
Bring business cards.
Make sure to pack plenty of your current business cards to share as you network at the show. Keep any contact information you collect, and follow up with your connections when you return.
Make a plan.
Before arriving, outline the educational sessions, events and exhibitors you want to see. Make note of the booth/room numbers, times and locations of each appointment. “The various halls, for the most part, are far apart, and the crowds make traveling in a straight line nearly impossible,” says White. You’ll want to give yourself enough time to get from one booth to another, so be strategic. You won’t be able to see and do everything at these massive events, so identify the opportunities you don’t want to miss!
Pack comfortable shoes.
Dress professionally, but don’t underestimate the importance of comfortable footwear. These shows are jam-packed with opportunities spread throughout the LVCC halls and lots. WOC encompasses more than 750,000 square feet and CONEXPO is more than 2 million, so you’ll be covering a lot of ground!