CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, running March 3 through 7 in Las Vegas, introduces a dedicated Ground Breakers Stage that promises to reshape how construction professionals engage with emerging technology, workforce development, and business strategy. For builders and contractors preparing their show itinerary, this stage offers concentrated access to the innovations that will define the next decade of construction. The stage is located in West Hall 108 through 110, with sessions livestreamed in the show’s Community Zone for attendees who cannot be in two places at once. Before exploring the Las Vegas show floor, contractors should ensure their fundamentals are rock solid. Understanding proper setting out building plan on ground techniques remains essential whether you are breaking ground on a residential project or a large commercial complex, regardless of how many digital tools you bring to the site.
Day 1: Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence on the Jobsite
The opening day of the Ground Breakers Stage squarely addresses the most transformative force in modern construction: autonomy and artificial intelligence. Sessions examine how connected systems and remote operations are moving from pilot programs into everyday deployment. For contractors who have watched AI evolve from a buzzword into a practical tool with measurable returns, Day 1 delivers content that can be applied immediately after returning from the show.
Fleet Connectivity and Autonomous Drilling
One of the flagship topics covers how autonomous drilling systems are being integrated with fleet connectivity platforms. These technologies allow equipment operators to coordinate multiple machines from a single control point, reducing idle time and improving fuel efficiency by a measurable margin. Presentations demonstrate real data from jobsites where autonomous drilling has reduced operational costs and maintained or improved safety standards compared to traditional manual operation. The session explores how telematics data from connected equipment feeds into broader project management systems, creating a feedback loop that improves accuracy on subsequent projects.
Leadership Strategies for AI Adoption
A key session focuses on executive leadership strategies for adopting artificial intelligence across construction operations. Industry leaders from John Deere, AWS, Autodesk, and Caterpillar are confirmed as keynote speakers, bringing cross-sector perspective to the conversation. Topics covered include:
- Identifying high-impact AI use cases for mid-size contractors with limited IT budgets
- Building internal data infrastructure to support machine learning models
- Managing workforce transition as automation changes traditional job roles and skill requirements
- Establishing measurable return on investment metrics for AI pilot programs
- Developing vendor evaluation criteria for construction technology platform selection
- Creating internal champions who can bridge the gap between field teams and technology vendors
Attendees leave this session with a practical framework for evaluating whether and where AI fits their specific operation, rather than a generic sales pitch for the latest software platform.
Day 2: Robotics and Digital Training for Workforce Readiness
Wednesday shifts the spotlight to robotics and digital training, two areas directly addressing the skilled labor shortage that continues to challenge the construction industry. Sessions on Day 2 bridge the gap between technology adoption and workforce development, showing how the same tools that improve productivity can also attract and retain the next generation of construction professionals.
Coordinated Machine Fleets and Connected Equipment
The robotics track examines coordinated machine fleets where excavators, dozers, and haul trucks communicate with each other in real time using sensor fusion and machine-to-machine communication protocols. These systems optimize dig cycles, reduce fuel consumption, and prevent collisions without requiring constant operator attention. For builders managing large earthmoving operations, these technologies directly impact foundation preparation and grading accuracy. Understanding how automated grading interacts with structural requirements is essential, which is why sessions reference the importance of integrating construction robotics knowledge with traditional slab on ground design principles.
Virtual Reality in Construction Training
One of the most practical sessions explores how virtual reality training tools are improving workforce readiness in measurable ways. The session covers:
- Immersive safety training simulations that reduce on-site accidents by up to 40 percent in documented case studies
- Equipment operation simulators that let new operators build muscle memory and confidence before entering the cab
- Virtual walkthroughs of complex structural elements, including detailed slab on ground design elements, helping concrete teams visualize placement sequences
- Remote mentoring platforms that connect experienced foremen with apprentices across multiple jobsites
- Hazard recognition training in controlled virtual environments that replicate real site conditions
Contractors who have adopted VR training report measurable improvements in retention and skill acquisition, particularly among younger workers who respond well to gamified learning environments. The session includes data from early adopters showing reduced training time, lower equipment damage rates, and higher safety scores among VR-trained operators compared to traditional classroom-only training approaches.
Day 3: Connected Jobsites and Global Technology Trends
Thursday programming addresses the infrastructure that makes all other technologies possible: jobsite connectivity. Sessions examine how contractors are aligning software platforms, automation systems, and data pipelines to create truly connected worksites where information flows seamlessly from the office trailer to the equipment cab to the back office.
Panel Discussion: Robotics, Cybersecurity, Drones, and AI
A highlight of Day 3 is the cross-disciplinary panel bringing together experts in robotics, cybersecurity, drone technology, and artificial intelligence. The panel addresses the integration challenges that arise when multiple technology systems operate on the same jobsite, often with competing data formats and proprietary standards. Key discussion points include:
- Standardizing data formats across equipment manufacturers to enable true interoperability
- Cybersecurity protocols for connected construction equipment and IoT sensor networks
- Regulatory compliance for drone-based site surveying, monitoring, and progress documentation
- Data ownership and privacy concerns when using third-party cloud platforms for project data
- Interoperability standards for project management, accounting, and field reporting software
- Strategies for managing technology sprawl as new tools are added to existing workflows
Software and Data System Alignment
Another session focuses on the practical challenge of aligning software platforms across the construction lifecycle. From estimating and bidding through project closeout, contractors often juggle a dozen or more software tools that do not communicate with each other. The session presents case studies of contractors who have successfully integrated their technology stack, including the hard lessons learned about data governance, API selection, change management, and the importance of executive sponsorship. Presenters emphasize that technology integration is primarily a people and process challenge, not a technical one, and that contractors should invest as much in training and change management as they do in software licenses.
| Technology Category | Day Featured | Key Application | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Drilling | Day 1 | Fleet connectivity with remote operation capabilities | 20-30% reduction in operational costs |
| AI for Project Scheduling | Day 1 | Predictive timeline adjustments using historical data | 15-25% improvement in on-time delivery rates |
| Coordinated Robotics | Day 2 | Machine-to-machine fleet coordination on earthwork sites | Up to 30% reduction in fuel consumption |
| VR and AR Training | Day 2 | Skill development and immersive safety training | Up to 40% fewer on-site accidents reported |
| Connected Software Platforms | Day 3 | Cross-platform data integration and workflow automation | Up to 20% increase in project efficiency |
| Jobsite Power Systems | Day 4 | Energy management, battery storage, and equipment electrification | Reduced carbon footprint and lower fuel costs |
Understanding how these technologies interact with foundational construction practices is critical for successful adoption. For example, bond breakers remain a vital part of concrete construction even as robotics and automation change how concrete is placed and finished. New technologies complement rather than replace established construction chemistry and techniques, and the best results come from integrating both old and new knowledge.
Day 4: Infrastructure Policy and Jobsite Energy Systems
The final day of the Ground Breakers Stage takes a broader view, addressing infrastructure policy, industry recognition, and the evolving energy landscape on construction sites. For contractors planning their 2027 bidding pipelines and equipment replacement cycles, Day 4 provides essential context for strategic decision making.
U.S. Infrastructure Priorities and Their Impact on Contractors
A policy-focused session examines the current state of U.S. infrastructure investment and what it means for contractors of all sizes. The discussion covers:
- Federal funding pipelines for road, bridge, and utility projects projected through 2030
- State-level infrastructure spending trends and how to position your firm for public bid opportunities
- Workforce development programs tied to federal infrastructure grants and matching state funds
- Prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements that come with federally funded projects
- Environmental review timelines and how National Environmental Policy Act requirements affect project scheduling
- Strategies for small and mid-size contractors to compete for infrastructure subcontracts
Jobsite Power Management and Equipment Electrification
A forward-looking session addresses how construction sites are transitioning from diesel-dominated power systems to hybrid and fully electric alternatives. Presenters cover battery storage solutions for temporary jobsite power, electric equipment charging infrastructure requirements, and the cost-benefit analysis of electrification for different project types and durations. Topics include calculating total cost of ownership for electric versus diesel equipment, grid connection requirements for large-scale battery storage on site, and the practical considerations of charging infrastructure layout. For residential and commercial builders, understanding these energy trends is becoming as important as understanding concrete mix design, structural framing sequences, or the properties of curing compounds and bond breakers used in flatwork construction.
Awards and Industry Recognition Ceremony
Day 4 also features an awards ceremony recognizing equipment and technology developments that have moved from concept to commercial deployment. These awards offer contractors a curated look at products and systems that have demonstrated real-world reliability and performance, making them a practical resource for purchasing decisions in the coming year rather than just a showcase of prototypes that may never reach market.
Planning Your Visit to the Ground Breakers Stage
For contractors traveling to Las Vegas for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, the Ground Breakers Stage offers a concentrated four-day curriculum covering the technologies most likely to affect your operations in the near term. Sessions run daily in West Hall 108 through 110 and are livestreamed in the show’s Community Zone for those who cannot attend every presentation in person. The show floor itself features hundreds of exhibitors demonstrating the equipment and technologies discussed on stage, creating a seamless learning-to-application experience.
To maximize the value of your time at the show, consider the following approach:
- Review the full Ground Breakers Stage schedule before arrival and mark sessions aligned with your current operational challenges and investment priorities
- Attend Day 1 and Day 2 sessions if your firm is actively evaluating AI, automation, or robotics investments for the next fiscal year
- Prioritize Day 3 if your biggest operational challenge is integrating multiple software platforms that do not currently share data effectively
- Do not skip Day 4 even if you plan to leave the show early; the infrastructure policy session provides critical context for 2027 bidding pipelines and federal project opportunities
- Visit the exhibit floor with specific questions and evaluation criteria informed by what you learn at the stage sessions
- Network with speakers and exhibitors during scheduled breaks in the Community Zone to build relationships that extend beyond the show
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 represents a pivotal moment for the construction industry. The new Ground Breakers Stage distills the most important trends autonomy, robotics, connectivity, digital training, and infrastructure policy into a format that busy contractors can actually use to inform their business planning. Whether you are a project manager evaluating drone-based surveying, an owner considering an AI-powered scheduling platform, or a superintendent looking for better ways to train and retain your crew, this stage has content targeted to your specific needs. The show runs March 3 through 7 in Las Vegas, with the Ground Breakers Stage sessions accessible to all registered attendees.