Con expo

We are wanting to go but I'm stumped as to what passes to buy anybody got any idea how to choose what to get. And anyone ever been to it.

I've been a handful of times. I'm not sure what it's called but we just get a pass to go to the show, no classes or seminars. Planning on going this year too with a group of fellas.....if you've never been and are into equipment of all shapes and sizes you'll have a good time, lots of vendors too....

I have been a number of times. Like Tags, I have never done the classes or seminars. I was charged with going and looking for new products that we could integrate into the company.
I have a recommendation... no matter what they look like, take your most comfortable shoes. My feet feel like manhole covers by the end of day 2. Lots of new products and a rehash of old ones. One of my favorite finds in the mid 90's was similar to this http://www.diamondblades.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=454
I purchased one for all of our foreman to try in addition to their diamond and abrasive blades that they carried on their trucks. It was very popular for cutting buried streetcar railroad ties that you run into in Seattle while digging in the street. The blades saved money. If I hadn't seen them at the show, hard to say how long it would have been before a vendor brought one by. Enjoy the show!

I am headed that way for the first time. There was a catalog of available seminars and descriptions on the website. I was interested in a few so I picked up the all access pass, I hope they are helpful to my circumstances.

This will be my 4th ConExpo. Back in 2008 (first one I attended) we hosted a HEF meet and greet where I met several members some I am still in contact with outside of HEF.

If there is enough interest we might put something together for 2020. Last Conexpo Digger and I held a small meet and greet in the Gold Lot.

I always get the basic show pass, what I've found over the 25 years of going to trade shows is the seminars don't offer a lot of substance for me, other's milage may vary.

The wife has booked our rooms and airfare, just need to purchase our show tickets.

I'll be there. I need to get my pass yet but have my hotel for the last few months.
It's my first time going and first time to Vegas, should be interesting.

CM1995 said:

This will be my 4th ConExpo. Back in 2008 (first one I attended) we hosted a HEF meet and greet where I met several members some I am still in contact with outside of HEF.

If there is enough interest we might put something together for 2020. Last Conexpo Digger and I held a small meet and greet in the Gold Lot.

I always get the basic show pass, what I've found over the 25 years of going to trade shows is the seminars don't offer a lot of substance for me, other's milage may vary.

The wife has booked our rooms and airfare, just need to purchase our show tickets.

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Might get better attendance if you hosted the get together at the Hofbrauhaus.

WaterDoc said:

Might get better attendance if you hosted the get together at the Hofbrauhaus.

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Last CONEX Digger and I held a get together it was at the beer tent in the Gold Lot.

Never been to Conexpo but I did Minexpo a few times - I suppose it's a bit like Conexpo on steroids.

If you are tempted to buy expensive shiny things on impulse then probably the best advice is to leave your cheque book at home ........

It's definitely a great experience, especially for a first timer. So much equipment in one spot. I'd just get the exhibit only pass, unless you want to do a seminar.

The tickets and rooms are booked were going.

Rooms and event passes booked. Working on air fare.

dist3 said:

Rooms and event passes booked. Working on air fare.

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See you there.

The wife and I are staying at MGM and airfare booked.

Let's get a roll-call of all who is going and we'll try to put together a meet and greet.

Also I'm going to move this thread over to General Industry with a permanent re-direct in Shop Talk.

I've been many times. I think my first was in '97. I have always wondered about the educational component. I finally went to a seminar on crushing and another on setting up an estate (particularly important to those who own businesses). They were informative but I would have liked the crusher course to have been more detailed. It was helpful but very generalized.
In the past I have had some success with trying to work out issues that couldn't be resolved at the local level. At the last Con-Expo I was able to find out about the CAT 323. The local salesman was not returning calls very well and he could not even find a machine for me to demo (or even look at). He was a dud even when I told him that I was going to the expo (I know that there will be machines there-and he was too!). By the time I went to the expo I had excluded the 323 from my consideration. I ended up talking to the person in charge of the development and application of excavators on North America. I told him all about my issues with the salesman. Before I left the show the salesman had contacted me. Furthermore the price I was quoted went from $249k to $216k!
Another time I was having trouble with my 544J dashboard monitor (all functions go through this known problematic component). I had just recently replaced it (I think I spent over $1,200 on a new one) and when you install it one must input the old information. I had accidentally put that the machine had over 20,000 hours instead of 2,000! (SIDE BAR: You have one chance at getting it correct. You cant back up, you don't get asked to confirm the data....one chance!. The local dealer said there was no way to fix that...that I would have to purchase another one. They even put in a DETAC (correct acronym?) request to Deere. No dice!). I mentioned it some Deere guys on the expo floor (@ the Deere booth) and it was resolved in about 10 minutes! They provided a local tech with the software and he took care of it once I got back home. YAY!
At a prior expo I had movement with a Bobcat mechanical issue and an Ingersol Rand jumping-jack issue. Both by simply going to the subject brands booth and engaging in a conversation about the challenge that I was currently having with said brand's product.
One of the best things about the expo is that the brands have just about everyone who is anyone (within their respective company) at the show. Regardless of what component, or software, or concept a machine may have, there is a person there (at the show) who has direct knowledge and can have a direct impact on said product. In that regard it's a pretty unique situation. The only time I have been in asimialr situation (outside the expo) was when I once was invited by Caterpillar to go to Peoria and demo the prototype Cat "D" series backhoes. Cat flew me out there and put me up at a hotel, fed me...the whole 9 yards! I even got to bring a friend!! They had us run the backhoes and then they debriefed us for feedback. It was quite a cool experience. Suffice it to say Con-Expo is probably the only place that 90% of us will ever have the opportunity to have face time with the person/s who actually make the decisions about the way the products are built.
Even though I'm not 100% sure I will attend this year I would like to be included in any conversations/plans about possibly meeting fellow members at the Expo. The time I took care of issues with the Bobcat I did not even makes plans until the last second. I only went because I was getting nowhere at the local level and my A300 was torn apart in my driveway!

CM1995 said:

Let's get a roll-call of all who is going and we'll try to put together a meet and greet.

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I'll be road tripping out there for the show.

Mark13 said:

I'll be road tripping out there for the show.

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I'll be flying in low class

I went 6 years ago. A friend and I walked the show hard for 3 days. MD is spot on about the most comfortable shoes you own.

Had many interesting conversations with both OEMs and component suppliers. My wife and her friend walked the show as well, she didn't think she was very well received at many booths. Everybody in the trade needs to go at least once.

You can tell the companies that have experience at the show. They have the thickest padding under the carpet.

For you young, single guys I will pass along what I was told by a tour guide. "Don't expect the lady who comes to your hotel room to look anything like the lady on the trading card".

I'll be there again ..think I'm staying in New Your, New Youk

terex herder said:

For you young, single guys I will pass along what I was told by a tour guide. "Don't expect the lady who comes to your hotel room to look anything like the lady on the trading card".

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Well there goes my Hope's and dreams