CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest construction trade show in North America, returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 3 to 7, 2026, introducing four new educational workshop programs alongside its massive equipment exhibition. Building on the momentum of the record-breaking 2023 event, the 2026 edition promises to be the most dynamic and engaging yet, with programming designed to address workforce development, small business challenges, maintenance best practices, and industry advocacy. These new educational tracks reflect the industry’s growing recognition that Graphene Concrete a Revolutionary Innovation in the Construction sector represents just one frontier of a broader transformation sweeping through every segment of construction.
Ground Breakers Stage: Elevating Industry Advocacy and Dialogue
The new Ground Breakers keynote stage at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 is designed to amplify the construction industry’s voice on critical issues that extend beyond machinery and job sites. This dedicated platform brings together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry executives to address the most pressing challenges facing the sector today.
Key Topics on the Ground Breakers Stage
- Innovation in construction technology and practices exploring how emerging tools and methodologies are reshaping project delivery, from digital twins to AI-assisted scheduling
- Public policy impacting the industry with discussions on infrastructure funding, regulatory reform, and legislative priorities that affect contractors of all sizes
- Workforce development and addressing labor challenges examining recruitment strategies, training pipelines, and retention programs for a shrinking labor pool
- Sustainability and environmental responsibility covering carbon reduction targets, green building certifications, and sustainable material adoption
- Mental health and well-being in the construction sector addressing the industry’s historically high rates of stress, burnout, and suicide through better support systems and workplace culture
The Ground Breakers Stage represents a significant shift for CONEXPO-CON/AGG, signaling that the event’s value proposition now extends far beyond equipment demonstrations. By providing a forum for these cross-cutting conversations, organizers aim to position the construction industry as a proactive participant in shaping its own future, rather than simply reacting to external pressures.
Who Should Attend the Ground Breakers Sessions
These sessions are particularly valuable for executives, public affairs professionals, sustainability officers, and human resources leaders who need a broad perspective on where the industry is headed. The format encourages audience participation, making it an interactive experience rather than a passive lecture series.
EmpowerHER Workshop: Advancing Women in Construction
Timed to coincide with Women in Construction Week 2026, the EmpowerHER workshop is a dedicated event addressing the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the construction industry. While women make up only approximately 11 percent of the construction workforce, research consistently shows that diverse teams deliver better project outcomes, safer job sites, and stronger financial performance.
Workshop Components
- Networking events designed to foster meaningful connections and build community among women across all construction roles, from field supervisors to C-suite executives
- Peer-led panel discussions and keynote presentations featuring industry leaders and experts sharing actionable career strategies, leadership insights, and technical knowledge
- Sponsorship opportunities for companies to support and promote women-focused initiatives, signaling organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion
The EmpowerHER workshop acknowledges that recruitment alone is insufficient; retention and advancement require intentional programming, mentorship structures, and workplace policies that support long-term career growth. The workshop complements other industry-wide efforts to expand the talent pipeline, including apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship training, and partnerships with trade schools. These workforce initiatives, much like the material science advances seen in Asphalt Modifiers and Additives Enhancing Pavement Performance Through innovation, require sustained investment and industry-wide coordination.
Why Women in Construction Matters for Everyone
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that gender-diverse project teams outperform homogeneous groups in problem-solving, risk assessment, and innovation. By creating space for women to connect, share expertise, and advance into leadership roles, the EmpowerHER workshop benefits not just individual attendees but the entire construction ecosystem.
Small Business Workshop: Practical Tools for Owner-Operators
Small businesses form the backbone of the construction industry, yet they face distinct challenges that larger organizations rarely encounter. The Small Business workshop at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 directly addresses these challenges with practical, immediately applicable content designed for business owners who wear multiple hats.
What the Small Business Workshop Offers
| Program Element | Description | Target Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Networking events | Structured sessions connecting small business owners with peers, mentors, and potential partners | Build a professional support network for ongoing collaboration |
| Best practices sessions | Expert-led workshops on financial management, bidding strategy, and operational efficiency | Adopt proven methods that reduce costs and improve margins |
| Practical tools | Downloadable templates, checklists, and frameworks attendees can implement immediately | Create actionable pathways for success starting day one |
| Sponsorship opportunities | Programs connecting small businesses with larger firms and industry organizations | Open doors to mentorship, subcontracting, and growth capital |
Small business owners often struggle to access the same resources available to larger competitors. The workshop levels this playing field by delivering high-quality business education at a fraction of the cost of specialized consulting. Topics covered include cash flow management, estimating accuracy, insurance optimization, and navigating the transition from field work to business ownership.
Addressing the Small Business Skills Gap
Many construction professionals start their businesses because they excel at a trade, not because they have formal business training. The Small Business workshop bridges this gap by translating business management principles into construction-specific language. Participants leave with concrete tools they can apply to their operations immediately, from job costing spreadsheets to employee onboarding checklists.
Shop Talks and Walks: Maintenance Intelligence for Maximum Uptime
The Shop Talks and Walks workshop is a maintenance-focused program that addresses one of the most costly challenges in construction operations: unplanned equipment downtime. This program targets service managers, fleet supervisors, master mechanics, and anyone responsible for keeping equipment operational and profitable.
Program Features
- Preventative maintenance strategies that extend equipment life, reduce emergency repairs, and lower total cost of ownership through systematic inspection and service scheduling
- Equipment efficiency optimization covering fuel management, hydraulic system diagnostics, tire and track wear analysis, and telematics data interpretation
- Increasing uptime through smart solutions including predictive maintenance technologies, oil analysis programs, filter management, and component rebuild versus replace decision frameworks
- Real-world troubleshooting sessions where attendees work through actual equipment failure scenarios with experienced technicians
The workshop format combines classroom-style education with hands-on walk-throughs, giving participants direct access to expert technicians and industry vendors. This practical approach ensures that attendees return to their shops with immediately applicable knowledge, not just theoretical concepts.
The Business Case for Better Maintenance
Industry data indicates that unplanned downtime costs contractors between $1,000 and $10,000 per hour depending on the equipment and project type. By investing in preventative maintenance programs and technician training, contractors can reduce downtime by 30 to 50 percent, directly improving project profitability. The Shop Talks and Walks workshop demonstrates that maintenance is not a cost center but a competitive advantage.
The historical trajectory of construction innovation, from hand tools to hydraulic systems, is well documented in resources like Great Moments in Building History Key Milestones in construction. The Shop Talks program continues this tradition by equipping today’s technicians with the knowledge to keep modern, complex machinery running at peak performance.
Planning Your CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 Experience
With four new educational programs joining an already packed exhibition schedule, attendees should plan their time carefully to maximize the value of their visit. The Las Vegas Convention Center will host hundreds of exhibitors across the indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, showcasing everything from compact excavators to full-scale asphalt plants.
How to Prioritize Your Schedule
- Identify your primary goal: equipment purchasing, technical education, networking, or business development
- Register for the workshops that align with your role: Ground Breakers for leadership topics, EmpowerHER for diversity initiatives, Small Business for owner-operators, or Shop Talks for maintenance teams
- Allocate time for the exhibition floor, allowing at least two full days to visit all major manufacturers and technology providers
- Schedule meetings with vendors and peers during the dedicated networking windows within each workshop program
- Leave buffer time for spontaneous conversations and discoveries, which experienced attendees consistently cite as the most valuable part of the event
The format of the construction trade show itself is evolving, reflecting broader changes in how the industry learns, networks, and innovates. Just as Rethinking Kitchen Design Through Innovation and Human Connection has transformed residential spaces, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 is reimagining what a trade show can deliver: not just products, but meaningful education, community building, and strategic insight.
Registration and Logistics
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 takes place March 3 through 7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Registration includes access to the exhibition floor, the four new workshops described above, and the full roster of returning educational sessions. Early registration discounts are available, and attendees are encouraged to book Las Vegas accommodations well in advance due to the event’s scale.
The introduction of the Ground Breakers Stage, EmpowerHER Workshop, Small Business Workshop, and Shop Talks and Walks Workshop signals that CONEXPO-CON/AGG is evolving to meet the full spectrum of industry needs. Whether you are a fleet manager focused on maintenance efficiency, a small business owner seeking growth strategies, an executive tracking policy developments, or a professional committed to building a more inclusive workforce, the 2026 event offers programming tailored to your priorities.