As I’m sure is the case for many of you reading this right now, the first quarter has been and is going to be a busy travel season between industry and association events. The Portable Plants staff has already found itself crisscrossing the map – with even more to come.
Perhaps the highlight of the first quarter is the return of AGG1, which is headed back to Nashville for the second straight year – and the third time overall. With the NSSGA Annual Convention, World of Asphalt and our sister publication Pit & Quarry’s Hall of Fame taking place over the span of the same several days, it’s going to be a busy and exciting time in the Music City.
In talking with show organizers and attendees, there is abundant excitement on both ends. That excitement is manifesting in what is trending to be a staggeringly large AGG1, according to Jen Dugas of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.
In early January, I visited with Dugas about expectations for AGG1. She said at the time that it looked like attendance was going to eclipse totals from 2022. That year’s show drew more than 11,000 attendees.
I share in this excitement, as I’m looking forward to AGG1 this year perhaps even more than my first one.
With a deeper understanding and appreciation for the industry than I had in 2022, I’m looking at the show with an entirely new perspective.
Check out my conversation with Dugas and a preview of AGG1 starting on page 24 of this month’s issue.
Equipment & technology trends
In the two years since the last AGG1, there have been seemingly countless developments and trends that have made their way into the industry.
AI, automation, electrification, digitalization – the list goes on. And from what I saw at ConExpo-Con/Agg last year, producers, contractors and manufacturers aren’t afraid to try and make the most of these developments.
How will the equipment at this year’s show incorporate these trends? What other developments might make their debut at AGG1? Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long to get the answer to these questions and others as the show is nearly here.
Along with covering the show, Portable Plants and Pit & Quarry will share a booth at AGG1 (L1006). Stop by and say hello. We’d love to hear what’s catching your eye on the show floor.
Post-show, be on the lookout for our coverage of everything we saw at AGG1 in our Portable Plants June issue.
See you in Nashville!
Featured Photo: Portable Plants Staff