Discover what is next at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE

The latest technologies, products and best practices for the construction and construction materials and fluid power/power transmission/motion control industries will be spotlighted at the 2017 CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the co-located International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) exhibitions March 7-11 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to exhibits, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE will offer in-depth industry education with a record number of sessions, as well as flexible education ticket options to fit attendee needs and schedules.

The shows will feature new registration Badge-Packs for added-value convenience and access to the new Tech Experience.

The Tech Experience will extend the technology shown on the show floor and be dedicated to presenting emerging construction innovations that are driving change and process improvements across the industry. A highlight will be the unveiling of the world’s first fully functional steel 3D-printed excavator.

A show mobile app enhanced by beacon technology will continuously synchronize to the shows’ online planner. Attendees can stay connected with show updates to maximize their time and stay organized with a personalized schedule of exhibitor and education details, plus interactive 3D maps. To download, search CONEXPO-CON/AGG or IFPE in your mobile app store.

A more efficient show layout will better connect attendees with exhibitors, plus feature additional food outlets and comfort zones (seating areas and charging stations).

Registration details – New Badge-Pack

The show Badge-Pack will include a free multi-day Las Vegas monorail pass and deluxe coach bus transportation between most official hotel partners and the shows, as well as discounts for Las Vegas bars and restaurants. The shows will represent the first to collaborate with the Las Vegas Monorail Co. to offer the pass.

The Badge-Pack will cover admission to both exhibitions, with a combined seven different lots and halls (and the Tech Experience) already spanning a record of more than 2.5 million net square feet of exhibit space (232,000 meters) with 2,500-plus exhibitors expected.

New, for added convenience, pre-registered attendees can pick up their Badge-Packs at several Las Vegas hotels and the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, as well as onsite. In addition, the shows have added a third full-service registration area onsite for speed and convenience (registration areas at Las Vegas Convention Center Gold Lot and Bronze Lot and Westgate Hotel adjacent to North Hall).

Easier to get around, find new products faster

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 will feature a streamlined show layout to help attendees easily comparison shop for the products and services they need for their businesses.

The reconfigured CONEXPO-CON/AGG layout will create better synergy between outdoor and indoor space product areas and make it easier for attendees to navigate the show.

As part of the new layout:

• The Gold Lot will include an expanded Gold Hall and extend to Las Vegas Boulevard, using the site of the demolished Riviera Hotel.
• A new Bronze Lot (with Bronze Hall) south of South Hall, extending the length of the building
• Both lots will feature registration areas, as well as registration in the Westgate Convention Center (formerly Las Vegas Hilton) adjacent to North Hall.

Show management cited increased demand for exhibit space as a major factor in the show floor redesign to make optimum use of available space.

The Tech Experience – See the future now

The new 75,000-plus-square-foot (6,900 square meters) Tech Experience will showcase the ideas and technologies that will transform the future of construction to enhance safety, productivity and profitability.

The Tech Experience will be an engaging experience that will bring to life the trends and solutions that are developing now and will be emerging in the next several years for the jobsite, workforce and infrastructure. Also featured will be a Tech Talks educational forum and the Infrastructure Vision 2050 initiative of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

As part of the Tech Experience, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017 will be teaming up to unveil the world’s first fully functional 3D-printed construction excavator and the first large-scale use of steel in 3D printing, known as additive manufacturing. The excavator will bring to life how technology is transforming the construction industry in line with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 theme, “Imagine What’s Next.” In addition to the pre-printed excavator, show attendees will be able to view a demonstration of the 3D printing technology.

Known affectionately as Project AME (Additive Manufactured Excavator), the excavator is being 3D printed using various machines at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility to create and assemble three components: the cab, the boom, and a heat exchanger. The excavator’s boom will be fabricated using a newly developed free-form additive manufacturing technique to print large-scale metal components.

A student engineering team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign won a design competition for the cab.

The excavator is a joint collaboration between AEM, National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Education to succeed

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 will offer a record number of 150-plus education sessions, including a new Technology Track, to provide attendees with the latest industry knowledge and best practices to improve their professional skills and company productivity.

The Technology Track will focus on industry innovations and future growth opportunities in the technology field, including drones, autonomous machines, 3D imaging, smartphone apps, gamification, big data and IoT.

The Technology Track will complement the Tech Experience, highlighting the ideas and technologies that will transform construction in the future.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 education tracks will also offer the latest trends and best practices focused on the following: aggregates; asphalt; concrete; cranes, rigging and aerial lifts; earthmoving and site development; equipment management and maintenance; management — business best practices; management — workforce development skills; and safety and regulations.

IFPE 2017 will host the fluid power industry’s prestigious Energy Efficient Hydraulics and Pneumatics Conference (EEHPC) in addition to offering hands-on “college course” education on the effective use of hydraulics in mobile equipment.

The EEHPC focuses on concepts and techniques to keep fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics) systems operating at peak efficiency to reap significant energy savings.

The conference traditionally includes a “future of fluid power” program, which at IFPE 2017 will explore robotics challenges and opportunities.

The EEHPC is sponsored by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA – IFPE co-owner), the FPDA Motion & Control Network, and the International Fluid Power Society.

Four half-day IFPE “college-level courses” will emphasize hands-on technical knowledge on the effective use of hydraulics in mobile equipment: 1) fundamentals of hydraulic systems; 2) hydraulic fluid properties, efficiency and contamination control; 3) hydraulic system design strategies for mobile applications; and 4) electro hydraulic, systems design and control.

IFPE focuses on the latest innovations, product advances and expert insights to equip engineers and others involved in the design and manufacturing process to increase efficiency, contain costs, and improve the performance of their hydraulic and pneumatic systems and applications.

Charitable initiatives

The shows recently announced that the Call of Duty Endowment will serve as the official charitable partner for the 2017 events.

The Call of Duty Endowment is a non-profit organization founded by Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, in 2009 to help veterans secure high-quality jobs after their military service and to raise awareness of the value that vets bring to the workplace. Every single dollar donated goes toward this important work, and just $600 helps a veteran find a high-quality job.

Terex Corporation made the first major donation: a benefit concert featuring multi-platinum rock band, Foreigner, for Wednesday, March 8 (and hosted by Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas). Show attendees will be allowed to donate to the endowment for entrance to the concert.

Additional fundraising events planned for the Call of Duty Endowment will include online silent and live auctions with 100 percent of auction proceeds aimed at helping military veterans find jobs.

Attendees can find the latest show updates and register at www.conexpoconagg.com and www.ifpe.com.