Destination(s): Las Vegas

Material handling equipment, material handling attachments and concrete recycling equipment are among the many things that will be on display in the desert this March at two prominent industry events.

The National Association of Demolition Contractors (NADC), Doylestown, Pa., is holding its 26th annual convention from March 14 to 17 at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. And less than two weeks later, CONEXPO-CON/AGG ’99 opens up its 1.7 million square feet of exhibit space in and around the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Each of the two shows offers compelling reasons for C&D debris recyclers and demolition contractors to descend upon the world’s largest and most brightly-lit oasis.

Those heading to Las Vegas on March 14 for the NADC annual convention may wish to pack their leather jackets and Harley-Davidson T-shirts. The theme for this year’s event is "The NADC Rides Into Vegas," and among the evening receptions will be a sock hop where 1950s "greaser" attire (as well as more contemporary biker garb) is both welcome and encouraged.

According to NADC executive director Michael Taylor, incoming NADC president (and Harley-Davidson owner) Tom Robinette of Robinette Demolition, Chicago, was behind the choice of themes for this year’s event. "We’re going to raffle off a 1999 Heritage Classic Harley-Davidson," says Taylor, who also notes that a pink 1957 Chevy convertible will be on display in the exhibit hall.

Some 80 exhibitors will be on hand to show off their products and services to the demolition contractors in attendance. Exhibitors include:

• Heavy equipment makers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu and Case Corp.

• Material handling attachment makers including Allied-Gator Inc., Genesis Equipment, Gensco, LaBounty, Ohio Magnetics, Pemberton, Teledyne Specialty Equipment, Tramac Corp., and Walker Magnetics.

• Recycling and sorting system equipment makers such as Cedarapids Inc., Eagle Crusher Co., Flo-Cait Environmental Systems, Getz Recycle Inc., Lubo USA, Svedala Industries, and Telsmith Inc.

"The crushing end of the market is a good one for us," Taylor says of the recycling segment of the NADC exhibitors and membership. "Most of the big concrete and C&D debris crushing companies will be exhibitors at the show."

Taylor says the slate of speakers this year will bring some valuable insight to the podium that may be of value to the business owners in attendance. Labor attorney Mark Lies is "one of the leading occupational health and safety attorneys," according to Taylor. Safety consultant Gary Glader will offer a presentation on jobsite accident management techniques. "It covers things like how you deal with the media, the insurance companies, OSHA, the hospital, and, of course, your own staff and the potential psychological impact on them," says Taylor.

Also speaking will be Howard Susan, editor-in-chief of the Engineering News-Record trade publication. "I think he’s a noteworthy attraction," says Taylor. "He doesn’t speak too often. He’s going to talk about the construction industry and what it looks like for the 21st century."

Taylor is expecting attendance to be good; noting that Las Vegas is always a good draw for NADC members. "I think the industry likes Las Vegas. Their entrepreneurial spirit causes them to be attracted to the bright lights and the shows."

There is nothing small about the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, held every three years in Las Vegas. With over 1.7 million square feet of exhibit space and more than 100,000 attendees, it is one of the largest trade shows in the U.S.

In addition to offering displays by more than 1,700 exhibitors, the show also offers a staggering number of educational sessions and numerous receptions held by companies for existing and prospective customers. While the focus is on construction and aggregates (the concrete recycling equipment industry is well represented), heavy equipment and material handling equipment makers whose equipment serves the recycling and demolition markets are virtually all in attendance as well.

Is it possible for anyone to actually take in the displays of 1,700 exhibitors? Although it is no doubt a daunting task, the good news is that CONEXPO-CON/AGG lasts longer than the average trade show. The show floors are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for five days: from Tuesday, March 23 through Saturday, March 27.

Not only will equipment be on display, but in many cases live demonstrations have been arranged so that attendees can see the construction equipment in action.

Several different halls and lobbies will be used for indoor exhibit space, while three different outdoor lots will host heavy equipment exhibits.

According to the show’s public relations manager, Joan Geiger, the 1999 version of CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be the biggest and best for several reasons. The pure number of exhibitors and the amount of exhibit space are both new records, with exhibit space surpassing the 1996 show by 42%. There will also be a record number of seminars and tutorials, offering attendees 120 chances to attend education sessions on "industry issues and trends, information technology, management topics, and personal development," says Geiger.

For recyclers, among the educational sessions of interest will be a seminar on "Recycled Aggregates: Plant Operations and Specifications," "Recycled Aggregates: On the Job Site: Asphalt," "Recycled Aggregates: The Paradigm—On-Grade, self-propelled Concrete Recycling Plant," and "Maintenance of Heavy Equipment."

Geiger notes that more than 100,000 attendees have already registered to attend the exposition, including 15,000 from outside the U.S. Several of the educational sessions will offer translations services for speakers of Chinese, French and Spanish.

The CONEXPO show appears to be so successful that its coordinators cannot promise to make hotel arrangements for people registering after February 24. Even in a city where hospitality is the primary industry, hotel rooms are quickly disappearing for the show’s peak evenings.

The author is editor of C&D Recycler.