ConExpo organizer says show will go on

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has sent out a memo reassuring its ConExpo-Con/Agg exhbitors and attendees that the show remains on track to attract some 120,000 people. That event is taking place in Las Vegas March 10-14.

The every-three-years exposition is one of the largest trade fairs in the world. AEM states in its March 6 memorandum and news release, “An overwhelming majority of ConExpo-Con/Agg exhibitors have confirmed their participation in next week’s show in Las Vegas.”

The organization adds, “Cancellations that we’ve received represent 44,950 square feet out of 2.7 million net square feet of exhibit space, which represents about 1.7 percent of the total space. We have already resold 15,500 square feet of this cancelled exhibit space.”

AEM President Dennis Slater states, “Travel restrictions related to international travel and corporate policies have impacted some companies that planned to exhibit at the show.” He continues, “No major exhibitors have cancelled from ConExpo-Con/Agg, and many companies are reconfirming their commitment to participate. We appreciate their leadership and commitment to our industry, equipment end-users and our members.”

Slater says even since Feb. 21, “when the travel restrictions and coronavirus started to have an impact,” ConExpo has “added 18,000 new registrants” or attendees. “That total is far outpacing the last show, and also our cancellations to date,” he adds.

According to Slater, “Total registrations as of [March 5] are over 120,000 and climbing. Even if the cancellations total 10,000, which they don’t to date, we have a huge audience of customers coming to the show. “

AEM and Slater acknowledge that the co-located International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) “has been harder hit by cancellations due to the large international exhibitor presence and corporate travel policies.” Says Slater, “The IFPE cancellations that we’ve received represent 34,680 square feet, which represents about 20 percent of the show floor. We’ve re-sold 3,300 square feet of this cancelled space.”

One of the largest ConExpo exhibitors to announce a cancellation was Sweden-based heavy equipment maker Volvo CE. That company has subsequently stated, “Since announcing our decision to withdraw from ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 due to the coronavirus, Volvo CE has been working very closely with our partners at AEM to determine the best path forward. At this point in preparations it would not be possible for Volvo CE to remove the equipment and dismantle the booth before the show begins. Instead, a small number of locally hired independent staff will remain on the site for the duration of the show, [and] the booth will be ready for show opening on Tuesday, March 10.”

States Slater, “We know customers are committed to attending the show in numbers, and they are expecting to see and purchase equipment from the manufacturers of the best equipment in the world. Please know we are committed to hosting safe and successful shows.”

AEM has posted information about precautions it says it is taking at the show on this Web page.