*This blog post was originally published January 2020 and has been revised to reflect the information for CONEXPO 2023.
The first day can be the toughest day of any expo. CONEXPO 2023 will be no different.
It’ll be busy. People are excited and energy-levels are high. That’s 130,000 high-energy attendees, or more than twice as many as in a sold-out State Farm Stadium for Super Bowl 2023.
It’ll be big. The Las Vegas Convention Center is so large you would have to spend 45 seconds at each booth back to back for the entire 5 days to see each of the 1,800 booths. There are at least seven separate venues/buildings hosting CONEXPO 2023.
It’ll be packed. There are over 150 seminars, so it’s inevitable that some of your choices will overlap.
In this post, we’ll explain why your first day at CONEXPO is worth preparing for, how to get the most out of your CONEXPO 2023 first day experience and offer you a curated list of the best Tuesday, March 14th has to offer.*
CONEXPO 2023 is the largest construction trade show in North America. It is expected to draw a crowd of 130,000 to Las Vegas from Tuesday March 14th through Saturday March 18th and will host some of the biggest brands in the industry.
The event happens only once every three years and provides an unparalleled opportunity for those in construction to learn, network and grow their business. You can purchase a discounted pass for this event through CICB.
Create SMART goals to prioritize. Keep your goals to three or fewer and make sure each goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. Then, check that each step you take is in the direction of one of your goals. Is the booth you’re visiting going to help you maximize your specific, measurable goals? Is the seminar relevant? Does the R&R you’ve planned help you hit your goals in a timely manner (Hint – it’s possible to answer yes to this last one. Never underestimate the power of rest at a five-day expo.)
Next, think about those things that are only happening on the first day, Tuesday. CONEXPO is holding a 45-minute orientation that teaches you how to navigate this massive event. This event starts at 8:15am but ends at 9:00am, which is when CONEXPO officially begins. This allows you to learn tips and tricks without losing time on vendors or other education seminars. If this is your first CONEXPO, we highly recommend attending.
Keep in mind that the pass you purchase may or may not come with education sessions. If you have a pass that does not include education sessions, they can be purchased separately. The three types of passes and their inclusions are:
A full list of the education offerings can be viewed here. Keep in mind multiple sessions will be happening simultaneously, so we highly recommend choosing your sessions and creating your show plan in advance.
The venue is enormous and, despite the complimentary shuttle, golf carts and monorail, you’ll maximize your time if you stick to one area at a time. This also applies to your selection of education sessions. Although there is a 30-minute gap between session times, if you choose to attend back-to-back sessions, remain in the same area. You can utilize those 30 minutes to visit exhibitors or grab a snack, rather than rushing from one building to the next.
Attendees staying in the Hilton Grand Vacations Club or SLS Hotel will be right on site. Those at the Westgate Hotel should plan on catching the complimentary shuttle, while anyone at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel should first take the free monorail to the Westgate.
Finally, CONEXPO’s own "Tech Experience" will occur twice this time around: one session is Tuesday, March 14 from 1:30-3:00pm. The second will be Wednesday, March 15 from 1:30-3:00pm. If you miss it on your first day, no worries- Wednesday's session will contain the same information at Tuesday's. Due to the popularity of this seminar, CONEXPO decided to hold it twice.
Of course, since you’re in the area, make some time to come and visit CICB’s very own booth, N12962. CICB offers crane operator training on site and at its two locations in Orlando and Houston (where we run a career school), as well as inspection and consulting services worldwide. You’ll find giveaways and the ability to operate a virtual mobile crane at our booth!
The temptation may be to visit everything on Day 1. Unfortunately, that’s what everyone else is hoping to do. As a result, most booths will be overrun. Begin by scheduling appointments at booths you know you want to visit. These can be existing contacts or potential clients. The appointments could be for future business opportunities or simply to catch up and maintain relationships. Regardless, reach out and schedule a time. Your feet will thank you, and so will the booth reps.
Since Tuesday is a great day to stay in the Festival Grounds, as you schedule your appointments, consider keeping Tuesday for contacts in the aerial, cranes, earth moving & hauling industries.
1. Attend CONEXPO's orientation
2. Stick to the Festival Grounds
3. Schedule appointments with booths in the Festival Grounds
4. Visit the Tech Experience
5. Attend a seminar or two
6. Reserve a time to try out the simulator at CICB's booth.
CONEXPO 2023 is packed with opportunities – things to see, things to do, and people to connect with. Don’t try to do it all on the first day. Plan your routes in advance and take your seminar locations into consideration. And come and say "hi" to CICB!
* The choices presented in this guide are representative of the opinion of CICB but do not reflect endorsement or sponsorship of third-party content.