More than 124,220 industry professionals from around the world attended ConExpo-Con/Agg 2005 and the co-located IFPE 2005 trade expositions in Las Vegas during its five-day run March 15-19.
The shows spanned a record-breaking amount of exhibit space--ConExpo-Con/Agg with more than 1.88 million net sq ft of exhibit space taken by 1,968 exhibiting companies; and IFPE with 111,670 net sq ft utilized by 440 exhibitors. This translates into a combined figure of more than 45 acres.
Attendance and exhibit numbers reflected an improved economy, including pent-up demand to replace aging fleets, noted show management, but also reinforced the expositions' reputation as a global "one stop" source for comparison shopping, educational programs and networking.
International attendance was at a record high--more than 21,220, which is 17% of total attendance figures. International visitors to the shows hailed from more than 130 non-U.S. countries.
The shows hosted a record 44 official international customer delegations, representing 35 countries. An Iraqi delegation of more than 40 business people were at the shows. It was the first private-sector trade delegation to the U.S. from that country in about a decade.
Exhibitors hailed from around the world as well. In addition to the leading U.S. and global manufacturers, suppliers and services providers, the show floor included a record number (13) of international exhibits pavilions highlighting products and services developed outside the U.S.