AnnouncementsatConExpo2023TradeShowinLasVegas

“The success of ConExpo-Con/AGG & IFPE 2023 is a testament to the resilience and strength of the construction and fluid power industries,whichhascontinuedtoadaptandinnovatedespitethechallengesofthepastthreeyears,”saidMarciaKlein,treasurerofCasappa Corp., and show chair of IFPE. “We’re proud to have provided a platform for industry professionals from around the world to connect, learn, and discover new solutions for improving their businesses and the world we build.”

Afterthedifficultiesfacedsincetheprevioustimetheindustrygathered for the show in 2020, attendees and exhibitors expressed excitementtoseethereturntonormalcy.Oneofthoseindividualsis89-yearold Leonard McCurley. McCurley has attended the show for the past six decades and is a true ConExpo veteran.

Raised on a farm in Michigan and working in construction his whole life, McCurley has found the show to be a home away from home throughout his adult life. He attended his first show in 1963 and has made it back to each and every one in the 60 years that have followed.

“There are so many interesting people I’ve talked to; it’s an educationjusttotalktoallofthem,”saidMcCurley.“Ithinkeverybodythat is around heavy equipment should go to that show.” see CONEXPO page 16

ConExpo is a family reunion of sorts for McCurley. Several of the companies he has worked for in the past have booths at the show, and helookedforwardtoreconnectingwiththeirrepresentativeswhenever and wherever he possibly could during the week.

In addition, his own children and grandchildren were in Las Vegas attending the show. However, McCurley recalled his fondest memories of attending ConExpo were with his wife in years past.

“Shewenttoeveryshowwithmewhenshewasalive,andshereally enjoyed them, too,” he said.

Now that he has made it to this year’s ConExpo, McCurley said he has nothing but love for North America’s largest construction trade show and would like to attend the show moving forward for as long as it makes sense for him to do so.