ConExpo-Con/Agg 2002 brought in over 110,000 attendees, including 15,700 on the international side. The numbers fell short of the record of over 124,000 in 1999, but show officials and exhibitors will still pleased with the results.
"We had some question marks coming in," said Bill Stramer of Link-Belt. "This has been a pleasant surprise. The true people we wanted to see have come."
"Overall, the attitude in our booth was that traffic has been very upbeat," said Caterpillar's Sharon Holling. "We're sensing that the outlook is good for the industry."
The bar was raised in one area--product volume on display. According to Show Managing Director Dennis Slater, 220 million tons of freight was highlighted during this year's event.
"There was more product jammed into space than ever before," he said. "We saw more product introductions."
When asked how show management will accommodate space demands in the future, both Slater and his partner, Show Managing Director Peter Vlahos, were keeping all options open.
"Las Vegas has grown with this event, and I'm sure this show is in their long-range plans," said Slater.
"We could even expand our venues beyond the Las Vegas Convention Center," added Vlahos.
On the education side, ConExpo-Con/Agg held 121 general sessions and sold more than 25,000 tickets.
A historical equipment display located outside the Convention Center was new to the 2002 show and appeared to be a popular attraction. Its another area show management is looking to expand in 2005.
