The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has named Scott Young, head of region North America for Volvo Construction Equipment, as the chair of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029, the largest construction trade show in North America. This appointment arrives at a pivotal moment for the construction equipment sector, as the industry navigates electrification, automation, and digital transformation. Understanding the significance of this leadership transition requires examining both Young’s extensive background and the evolving role of major trade exhibitions in shaping construction technology and equipment strategy. For contractors who rely on moving heavy machinery across project sites, developments in trade show leadership affect the availability and visibility of the latest machine innovations. Related logistics considerations such as Heavy Haulage and Construction Logistics Equipment Transport Machinery remain critical for getting equipment from show floors to active job sites.
A Leadership Appointment Rooted in Decades of Industry Experience
Scott Young assumed his current role as Volvo CE’s head of region North America in September 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the construction equipment industry to the position. His career includes significant tenures at both Ingersoll Rand and Volvo CE, where he developed expertise across multiple facets of equipment manufacturing, dealer networks, and customer support operations.
Career Milestones That Shaped His Perspective
Before his appointment as head of region, Young served as head of uptime at Volvo CE. In that capacity, he led the implementation of new technologies and business models in coordination with the Volvo CE dealer network. This role gave him direct insight into how equipment uptime, predictive maintenance, and service contracts affect contractor productivity on real construction projects.
Young’s professional background is complemented by a strong educational foundation:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- Executive MBA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
This combination of technical engineering knowledge and business leadership training positions Young to understand both the mechanical realities of construction equipment and the strategic demands of a major international trade exhibition.
His History with AEM and Industry Committees
Young has been an active participant in AEM leadership for several years, contributing to the association’s boards and committees before being named chair of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029. His appointment follows the conclusion of the 2026 event, which set new benchmarks for innovation, engagement, and industry collaboration according to show director Dana Wuesthoff.
Young’s involvement at the committee level means he brings firsthand knowledge of how AEM serves its member manufacturers and how the trade show can better address the needs of equipment buyers and operators.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG: The Premier Platform for Construction Innovation
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest construction trade show in North America, highlighting the latest equipment, products, services, and technologies for the construction and aggregates industries. The event is held every three years in Las Vegas, bringing together tens of thousands of contractors, manufacturers, and industry professionals from around the world.
Scale and Scope of the Exhibition
The triennial schedule gives manufacturers and technology providers three years to develop and refine new offerings before presenting them to the global construction community. The 2026 edition demonstrated several defining characteristics:
- Over 2,000 exhibiting companies from across the equipment spectrum
- Hundreds of thousands of net square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space
- Comprehensive education programs covering workforce development, technology adoption, and regulatory changes
- Live equipment demonstrations allowing hands-on comparison of competing machine families
Why the Chair Position Matters
The chair of CONEXPO-CON/AGG plays a significant role in shaping the direction and priorities of each edition. Responsibilities include working with AEM leadership to define the show’s strategic focus, recruiting key exhibitors, and ensuring that the event reflects the most pressing needs of the construction industry. The chair also serves as a liaison between the exhibiting manufacturers and the show’s organizing body.
Previous chairs have come from major equipment manufacturers, and each has brought a distinct emphasis based on their company’s market position and their personal expertise. Young’s appointment signals that digital services, uptime optimization, and customer-focused technology will feature prominently in the 2029 program.
The Transformation of Construction Equipment Under New Leadership
Young noted that his tenure as chair comes during a period of significant technical transition for the off-highway sector. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029 will take place as manufacturers accelerate development across multiple transformational fronts simultaneously.
Key Technology Trends Shaping the 2029 Show
The construction equipment industry is undergoing changes that will define the conversation at the 2029 event:
- Electrification of Heavy Machinery – Battery-electric and hybrid powertrains are moving from prototype to production across multiple equipment classes, from compact excavators to wheel loaders. Manufacturers are investing heavily in charging infrastructure and energy management systems to support fleet electrification.
- Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Operation – Machine control systems that enable remote operation and autonomous workflow execution are becoming standard on larger equipment. These systems promise to address skilled labor shortages while improving safety and precision.
- Telematics and Data-Driven Maintenance – The integration of sensors, GPS tracking, and cloud-based analytics allows fleet managers to monitor equipment health in real time, schedule predictive maintenance, and optimize machine utilization across multiple job sites.
- Digital Twin and Simulation Technology – Virtual replicas of construction equipment and job sites enable operators and project managers to test workflows, train personnel, and identify bottlenecks before mobilizing physical machinery.
The Role of Trade Shows in Technology Adoption
Trade exhibitions like CONEXPO-CON/AGG serve a critical function in accelerating technology adoption across the construction industry. They provide a neutral ground where contractors can compare competing solutions side by side, attend technical sessions led by equipment engineers, and network with peers who have field experience with new systems.
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| Technology Trend | Expected Impact by 2029 | Key Equipment Categories Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-Electric Powertrains | Production models in compact-to-mid-size classes | Excavators, wheel loaders, compactors |
| Autonomous Operation | Commercial deployment in mining and large earthmoving | Haul trucks, dozers, drills |
| Telematics Integration | Standard on all new medium-to-large equipment | All earthmoving and material handling |
| Digital Twin Simulation | Widespread adoption in project planning | Job site planning, operator training |
| Hydrogen Combustion Engines | Field trials in high-power applications | Large excavators, mining trucks |
Preparing for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029: What Contractors and Manufacturers Can Expect
With Scott Young at the helm, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029 is expected to emphasize several priorities that reflect his experience in uptime management, dealer collaboration, and customer-facing technology. Contractors and manufacturers alike should begin preparing now to make the most of the event.
Strategic Priorities Under Young’s Leadership
Based on Young’s professional trajectory and public comments, the 2029 show will likely focus on:
- Customer-centric innovation – Young has emphasized that CONEXPO-CON/AGG is one of the world’s largest platforms to showcase innovations that help customers navigate change, overcome challenges, and improve performance.
- Dealer network integration – His experience leading uptime initiatives through dealer networks suggests a show agenda that prioritizes service infrastructure and after-sales support models.
- Sustainability and emissions reduction – As regulatory pressure on emissions increases, the 2029 event will serve as a major milestone for manufacturers to demonstrate progress toward carbon reduction targets.
How Contractors Can Prepare for 2029
For contractors currently managing fleet purchasing decisions, the 2029 show represents an opportunity to evaluate the next generation of equipment. Practical preparation steps include:
- Review current fleet composition and identify equipment nearing replacement age by 2029.
- Research emerging powertrain options to determine which technologies align with specific operational requirements and fuel availability.
- Evaluate telematics and fleet management systems currently available through manufacturers to build familiarity with data-driven maintenance approaches.
- Develop a technology adoption roadmap that phases in new equipment types alongside existing fleet assets to minimize operational disruption.
Contractors undertaking major equipment selections can benefit from frameworks that compare machine specifications, operating costs, and project suitability. Resources such as a Detailed Analysis of Select Construction Equipment Suitable for specific project types can help align purchasing decisions with the operational demands of earthmoving, grading, and material handling work.
The Bigger Picture: Trade Shows as Industry Barometers
CONEXPO-CON/AGG functions as more than a product exhibition. It serves as a barometer for the overall health and direction of the construction equipment sector. Attendance numbers, new product launches, and the thematic emphasis of education sessions all provide valuable intelligence about where the industry is headed.
The appointment of a Volvo CE executive as chair for 2029 reflects the growing influence of Scandinavian manufacturers in shaping global equipment standards. Volvo CE has been at the forefront of electric machine development, autonomous research, and sustainability reporting in the construction sector. Having Young in the chair role ensures that these priorities will receive prominent billing at the 2029 event.
Comprehensive approaches to Construction Equipment and Project Controls Equipment Selection Earned value management and quality assurance systems will remain essential for contractors who want to translate trade show insights into measurable improvements in project delivery. The intersection of equipment strategy with project controls represents an area where the 2029 show can provide meaningful education and networking opportunities.
Event Details and Timeline
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029 is scheduled for March 13-17, 2029, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The five-day event will include exhibits, live equipment demonstrations, educational sessions, and networking events designed for construction professionals across all specialties.
As the industry looks ahead to 2029, Young’s leadership signals a show built on the momentum of the 2026 edition, with an emphasis on practical technology that helps contractors build safer, more efficient, and more profitable operations.