The largest construction show in North America just wrapped, as CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 brought more than 2.8 million square feet of exhibit space and more than 1,800 exhibitors to Las Vegas from March 14-18.
After the difficulties faced since the previous time the industry gathered for CONEXPO-CON/AGG, attendees and exhibitors expressed excitement to see the return to normalcy. One of those individuals is 89-year-old Leonard McCurley. McCurley has attended the show for the last six decades and is a true CONEXPO-CON/AGG veteran.
Raised on a farm in Michigan and working in construction his whole life, McCurley has found CONEXPO-CON/AGG to be a home away from home throughout his adult life. He attended his first show in 1963 and has made it back to each and every one in the 60 years that have followed.
“There are so many interesting people I’ve talked to; it’s an education just to talk to all of them,” says McCurley. “I think everybody that is around heavy equipment should go to that show.”
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a family reunion of sorts for McCurley. Several of the companies he has worked for in the past have booths at the show, and he looks forward to reconnecting with their representatives whenever and wherever he possibly can this week.
In addition, his own children and grandchildren were in Las Vegas attending the 2023 show. However, McCurley recalls his fondest memories of attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG were with his wife in years past.
“She went to every show with me when she was alive, and she really enjoyed them, too,” he says.
Now that McCurley has made it to this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG, McCurley notes he has nothing but love for North America’s largest construction tradeshow and would like to attend the show moving forward for as long as it makes sense for him to do so.
McCurley says it’s impossible to attend six decades worth of CONEXPO-CON/AGGs without at least having some advice to share with newcomers.
“You’ve got to have a good pair of shoes and make sure you go to see the whole thing, because if you don’t, you’re missing a lot,” he says.
