CONEXPO-CON/AGG returns to Las Vegas March 3-7, 2026, as the construction industry’s premier gathering for equipment demonstrations, workforce development, and continuing education. With more than 150 education sessions planned across multiple learning tracks, the show offers construction professionals an unmatched opportunity to gain practical knowledge on the topics shaping the industry today. Whether you manage a fleet of heavy machinery or oversee Construction Safety Equipment and Site Security Systems Personal, the breadth of educational programming at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 ensures there is relevant content for every role and career stage.
Held every three years at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event serves as a centralized forum for exploring new equipment, emerging technology, workforce strategies, and business practices. The education program, designed with input from industry experts and association partners, is organized into defined tracks that allow attendees to tailor their experience based on their specific responsibilities and interests.
Equipment and Technology Education Tracks
The equipment and technology sessions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 focus on the practical realities of managing construction equipment in an era of rapid technological change. These sessions are designed for fleet managers, equipment operators, maintenance supervisors, and procurement professionals who need actionable strategies they can apply immediately on the jobsite.
Fleet Management and Productivity
Fleet management sessions cover the full lifecycle of heavy equipment ownership, from acquisition through disposal. Topics include total cost of ownership analysis, equipment replacement strategies, telematics implementation, and fuel efficiency optimization. Attendees will learn how to leverage data from connected machines to improve utilization rates and reduce downtime across their fleets.
- Total cost of ownership modeling for purchasing and leasing decisions
- Telematics and IoT solutions for real-time equipment tracking
- Fuel management strategies for diesel and alternative power systems
- Utilization benchmarking across different equipment classes
- Data-driven preventive maintenance scheduling
Preventive Maintenance and Repair Strategies
Preventive maintenance remains one of the highest-return investments a contractor can make. Education sessions in this track cover practical maintenance techniques for specific equipment types, including Concrete Pumping Equipment and Placement Technology a Complete, asphalt pavers, excavators, and compactors. Sessions address lubrication best practices, hydraulic system care, track and undercarriage maintenance, and the role of predictive analytics in catching failures before they cause unscheduled downtime.
Connected Jobsites and Construction Technology
The connected jobsite is no longer a concept for the future. Sessions in this category explore how contractors are integrating machine control, GPS grading, drone surveying, and project management software to create jobsites where information flows seamlessly between the field and the office. Attendees will see demonstrations of digital twins, reality capture technologies, and cloud-based collaboration platforms that are reshaping how construction projects are planned and executed.
Key technology topics include:
- Machine grade control and 3D GPS systems for earthmoving and paving
- Drone-based site surveying and volumetric measurement
- Cloud-based project management and document control platforms
- Artificial intelligence applications in construction scheduling and risk management
- Cybersecurity best practices for connected construction equipment
Materials-Specific Sessions
Concrete, asphalt, aggregates, and earthmoving each have dedicated education sessions that address the unique challenges and opportunities within each material segment. For paving professionals, sessions on Asphalt and Concrete Paving Equipment Machine Technology Construction cover the latest in screed technology, material transfer vehicles, intelligent compaction, and quality control testing methods that ensure longer-lasting pavements.
Workforce Development and Talent Management
Workforce development is one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 dedicates a substantial portion of its education program to helping contractors attract, train, and retain skilled workers in an increasingly competitive labor market. These sessions address both strategic and tactical approaches to workforce management.
Recruitment and Retention Strategies
Contractors competing for talent need more than competitive wages. The workforce sessions explore comprehensive approaches to building an employer brand that appeals to the next generation of construction professionals. Topics include apprenticeship program development, partnerships with trade schools and community colleges, veteran hiring initiatives, and creating career progression pathways that give employees a reason to stay long-term.
Safety Culture and Leadership
Safety culture starts at the top and flows through every level of an organization. Sessions in this category examine how construction companies are moving beyond compliance-based safety programs toward proactive safety cultures that empower every employee to identify hazards and stop unsafe work. Topics include behavioral safety, incident investigation techniques, leading vs. lagging safety indicators, and the growing role of wearable technology in preventing jobsite injuries.
Succession Planning and Knowledge Transfer
As experienced leadership prepares for retirement, construction companies face the challenge of transferring decades of institutional knowledge to the next generation. Succession planning sessions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG provide frameworks for identifying and developing future leaders, structuring ownership transitions, and documenting critical operational knowledge before it walks out the door. These sessions are particularly valuable for family-owned construction businesses navigating the complex dynamics of multi-generational leadership transitions.
Business Management and Industry Innovation
The business management track addresses the strategic and financial disciplines that separate thriving construction companies from those that merely survive. Sessions are designed for owners, executives, and senior managers who make decisions that shape their company’s direction and profitability.
Financial Performance and Benchmarking
Understanding where your business stands relative to industry peers is essential for identifying areas for improvement. Sessions cover financial benchmarking, key performance indicators for construction firms, cash flow management strategies, and the smart use of debt and equipment financing. Attendees will leave with concrete metrics they can track to measure the financial health of their operations.
| Performance Metric | Industry Benchmark | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment utilization rate | 70-85% | Low utilization indicates idle assets and wasted capital |
| Preventive maintenance compliance | 90%+ | Predictive of unscheduled downtime and repair costs |
| Labor burden rate | 25-40% of wages | Directly impacts bid competitiveness and margin |
| Safety incident rate (TRIR) | Below 3.0 | Correlated with insurance costs and workforce morale |
| Project profit margin | 8-15% | Primary indicator of operational efficiency |
| Employee turnover rate | Below 15% | High turnover signals workforce culture problems |
These benchmarks provide a starting point for contractors to evaluate their own performance. Sessions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG offer deeper dives into each metric, with case studies from companies that have successfully improved their numbers through targeted operational changes. For contractors looking to strengthen their equipment selection and project control processes, sessions on Construction Equipment and Project Controls Equipment Selection Earned provide practical frameworks for matching equipment investments to project requirements.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Environmental regulations and owner requirements are pushing the construction industry toward more sustainable practices at an accelerating pace. Education sessions examine how contractors are reducing their carbon footprint through equipment electrification, alternative fuels, recycled materials, and waste reduction programs. These sessions are practical rather than theoretical, focusing on real-world case studies of companies that have implemented sustainability initiatives while maintaining or improving profitability.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics
Artificial intelligence is moving from buzzword to practical tool in the construction industry. Sessions in this emerging track cover how AI is being applied to estimating and bidding, project scheduling, equipment diagnostics, safety monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Attendees will learn what AI can realistically deliver today, what data they need to collect to make AI tools effective, and how to evaluate AI software vendors without being misled by marketing claims.
Making the Most of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 Experience
With more than 150 education sessions spread across five days, planning your schedule in advance is essential to getting maximum value from the event. The show organizers have designed the program to accommodate different learning styles and time commitments, with options ranging from 60-minute panel discussions to multi-hour workshop intensives.
How to Build Your Education Schedule
- Identify your primary learning objectives before you arrive. Are you focused on equipment technology, workforce issues, or business strategy?
- Review the session catalog and select sessions across at least three different tracks to gain cross-functional insights.
- Prioritize sessions with interactive formats such as workshops and panel discussions where you can ask questions and learn from peers.
- Leave time in your schedule for the exhibit hall floor, where you can see equipment demonstrations and speak directly with manufacturers.
- Network with other attendees during breaks and social events. Some of the most valuable learning at CONEXPO-CON/AGG happens in conversations between sessions.
Registration and Logistics
Attendees should add the education program to their CONEXPO-CON/AGG registration before arriving in Las Vegas. The show takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with sessions running from the morning of March 3 through the afternoon of March 7, 2026. Hotels near the convention center fill up quickly, so early booking is recommended. The show also offers a mobile app that allows attendees to build custom schedules, receive session reminders, and navigate the event floor plan.
What Sets This Year Apart
The 2026 edition of CONEXPO-CON/AGG stands out for the depth and breadth of its education program. The integration of artificial intelligence content across multiple tracks reflects how quickly AI is reshaping construction workflows. The expanded workforce development track acknowledges that technology alone cannot solve the industry’s labor challenges. And the emphasis on practical, immediately applicable content means contractors can return from Las Vegas with strategies they can implement the following week.
As Dana Wuesthoff, show director of CONEXPO-CON/AGG, stated: “CONEXPO-CON/AGG brings the entire construction ecosystem together, and that includes education that is practical, relevant and immediately useful. Attendees can focus on the issues most important to their role and prepare their businesses for what’s next.”
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 represents a once-in-three-years opportunity for construction professionals to gain the knowledge they need to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. With more than 150 education sessions covering equipment technology, workforce development, business management, and emerging innovations, the event offers something for everyone from frontline supervisors to company executives. By planning ahead and engaging actively with the education program, attendees can return to their jobsites and offices with practical strategies that deliver immediate results. Register early, build your schedule around your specific learning goals, and come prepared to take full advantage of the expertise gathered under one roof in Las Vegas this March.