A Practical Guide to CONEXPO

An estimated 140,000 people will attend CONEXPO-CON/AGG at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) this week. 

The 4.6 million-square foot facility can handle the crowd, but it’s going to be chaotic. To prepare for the show, attendees need to know what they want to see, and they also must be prepared for the weather, the crowds and the challenges of getting in and out of the convention center.

For attendees traveling east of the Mississippi River, CONEXPO will deliver some sunshine. You are not attending a ballroom conference. You are traversing a construction metropolis. Wear broken-in, supportive shoes — not new ones, not stylish ones. You will walk miles each day, often transitioning from carpet to concrete to asphalt. You want comfortable shoes, perhaps sneakers, with good arch support that can absorb pressure. Many veterans log 20,000 steps before lunch. 

CONEXPO can be casual, but for most people it’s not. Attendees are trying to see as much as possible. This makes it an event in which you plan, pace and prepare.

Consider dressing in layers. Indoor halls are climate-controlled; outdoor lots are not. March in Las Vegas can swing from cool mornings to bright, sun-intense afternoons with wind in between. Sunglasses and a hat aren’t for vanity — they’re essential equipment. 

This week’s weather forecast is calling for highs in the 70s, with lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s better than Boston’s weather, but it still requires planning.

Food and beverage options are spread across the halls and outdoor areas, with central food courts offering a range of choices — including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Outdoor concessions near the Festival Grounds make it easier to refuel without trekking back inside.

Timing is crucial. The lunch rush peaks fast. Eat early or late if your schedule allows. Hydrate consistently — desert air does not negotiate. Bring a refillable water bottle and a portable phone charger. Your device will be working as hard as you are while navigating the convention center.

Download the CONEXPO app and navigate with intention. Study the floor plan. Mark must-see exhibitors and education sessions. CONEXPO rewards preparation and punishes improvisation. A practical strategy is to divide your day geographically. Dedicate a morning to indoor halls. Spend an afternoon outdoors. Or cluster meetings by hall to minimize cross-campus treks. The LVCC campus is enormous; unnecessary backtracking is exhausting.

Start early. Aisles grow denser as the day progresses. The first 90 minutes after doors open are often the most productive.

And schedule time to wander. Some of the best discoveries happen when you allow yourself to step off the plotted route.

The LVCC campus is divided into North Hall, South Hall, Central Hall and West Hall, plus the outdoor Diamond Lot, Bronze Lot and Festival Grounds. Each space has its own rhythm and purpose.

The North Hall is a traditional anchor—dense with major manufacturers and technology providers. 

The South Hall carries similar weight. Large equipment displays, attachments, utility solutions and service providers fill the space. Expect serious machinery and serious conversations.

The Central Hall serves as connective tissue between North and South. It’s often where mid-sized manufacturers, specialized suppliers and niche technology firms will shine. If you’re hunting for emerging innovation rather than headline iron, this is fertile ground.

Then there is the West Hall, which in recent years has become a destination in its own right. The Ground Breakers Stage — an energetic keynote forum — draws industry leaders and forward thinkers. If you need to recalibrate your perspective amid all the horsepower, this is where strategy and big-picture thinking take center stage.

Step outside and you’ll find the show’s most visceral experiences. The Diamond Lot is where equipment stretches toward the skyline: massive haulers, crushers, cranes and demo-ready machines that simply can’t be contained under a roof. 

CONEXPO is so big that it needs the Festival Grounds, which many people will reach via shuttle. The Festival Grounds function features incredible demonstrations and shows. The Community Zone offers seating, shade, charging stations and space to regroup. It’s part networking lounge, part survival station.

Logistics matter at CONEXPO. Ride shares and taxis serve designated drop-off points around the campus, but precision matters. “Las Vegas Convention Center” is not specific enough. Know whether you’re heading to West Hall, North Hall or an outdoor lot before you order the Uber or get into the taxi.

The Las Vegas Monorail connects many hotels directly to the convention center station. In the mornings, expect lines. Build in extra time.

At the LVCC, complimentary shuttle services loop between outdoor lots and halls, and the underground Tesla Loop offers a surprisingly efficient way to move between key buildings. Badges are required for shuttle access, so handle badge pickup early rather than minutes before your first meeting.

Regardless of where you are staying, factor traffic into your schedule. This is the largest construction convention in North America, and it tests Las Vegas’ infrastructure.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is not a sprint—it’s an endurance event disguised as a trade show. Build margins into your calendar. Leave space between meetings for travel time. Accept that you will not see everything. Prioritize what matters most to your business.

Most importantly, remember why you’re there. Yes, it’s a spectacle. But it’s also a convergence point for the people building roads and bridges across the continent.

Prepare well, move strategically, wear the right shoes and CONEXPO 2026 will be productive instead of overwhelming.