It’s the start of a new year. Time to hang up the holiday lights, dust off the hard hats and get back to work. Start your new year planning centered around a not-so-secret weapon CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 coming up March 3–7 in Las Vegas.
Here are seven resolutions to start the year off with grit, ambition and a little Vegas inspiration.
1. SIGN UP FOR CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026
If you haven’t already, resolve to register for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
This is no small-time show; we’re talking 2,000 exhibitors, 2.9 million square feet of equipment, and tech, and 150 education sessions.
Why you should attend: The show features the latest advances in electrification, automation, compact equipment and connected maintenance platforms. Making informed purchasing decisions earlier in the year helps align capital investments with business goals. Subscribe here to receive the latest show alerts.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG isn’t just about heavy equipment and neat gadgets. It’s about people.
2. LEARN, COMPARE, UPGRADE
New year = new opportunities to improve. At CONEXPO-CON/AGG you can meet hundreds of manufacturers, vendors and tech suppliers. Equipment showcases allow you to get hands-on with new machines and gear.
Make a plan now: ask yourself what’s broken, outdated or just plain annoying about your current setup? Write it down. Then trade that list for a “wish list” to explore at the show. Check out new loader attachments, more efficient hydraulics, better safety gear or fleet-management software that can help you make you more money, save time and reduce headaches in the new year. Explore the 2026 Overview Map to start planning your time.
3. SET REAL, MEASURABLE GOALS
Too many contractors roll into a trade show like it’s a family road trip. No plan, just hope for inspiration. Resolutions are worthless without benchmarks: make yours count.
Resolve to go in with defined targets:
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Want to meet potential subcontractors or partners? Pick 10 booths to visit ahead of time. Explore the Exhibitor Directory here.
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Want to learn about new compact-equipment options? Map out sessions and vendors that overlap with those needs.
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Want to find solutions to crew shortages or maintenance problems? Seek out workshops or exhibitors specializing in those areas.
4. NETWORK LIKE YOUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON IT
CONEXPO-CON/AGG isn’t just about heavy equipment and neat gadgets. It’s about people. Suppliers, vendors, fellow contractors and industry veterans who can open doors, offer partnerships or give advice and industry insights.
Use the show to connect not just with big brands, but with peers. Chat with small-company owners at the Small Business Workshop or get hand-on demos at the Shop Talks and Walks Workshop. Plan to swap war stories, compare rates and share best practices. You might walk away with better subcontractors, better vendors or maybe even a mentor.
5. GET ORGANIZED AND ACTUALLY PLAN FOR THE SHOW
Too many folks see “trade show” as “free trip to Vegas.” Which often means last-minute flights, overpriced hotels and wasted time. Instead, plan like you plan a job site.
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Book lodging early. CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s official hotels come with shuttle service to ensure your don’t miss a moment of the show.
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Break out a calendar. Figure out which days you’ll visit which halls, which exhibitor booths you don’t want to miss and which education sessions line up with your business goals.
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Decide who’s going. Maybe you and your foreman, or you and a trusted crew-leader; make sure the right folks are there to ask the right questions (equipment, maintenance, logistics, even HR, if you’re hiring).
Approach the show like a job. Show up with a goal list and schedule to get the most value from your time. Get an inside look at the 2026 show in the Registration Brochure.
6. FOR EVERY CONTRACTOR; TRADE SHOW OR NOT
Even if you don’t make it to Vegas, these resolutions apply:
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Sharpen your estimating game. Commit to revisiting past bids this quarter. What went right? What was too low (or too high)? Learn how to build a stronger estimating plan.
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Prioritize maintenance and safety. Update your checklists. Track equipment hours. Train crews. Make breakdowns and injuries far less likely by analyzing your data.
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Embrace digital tools. Whether it’s scheduling software, small-business accounting, cloud-based document sharing, don’t keep doing everything with pencil, paper and memory.
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Invest in people. From crew training, updating certifications or even lunch when things aren’t going smoothly, treat people like partners. Contractors are nothing without crews who show up, day after day.
7. TREAT THIS LIKE A YEAR-LONG STRATEGY
The way you run your business in 2026 shouldn’t be a reboot; it should be an upgrade. Use the time between now and March as a “practice run.” Clean up your books. Inventory equipment. Talk to your team. Narrow down what you want out of your time and money this year.
Then go to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 armed with questions, goals and a plan to follow through once you get back. See the new offerings at the show that will help you make this your best year yet.
Because here’s the truth: new tools, new connections and new ideas don’t do any good if you leave them gathering dust in a trade-show bag. If the new year is all about setting yourself up for success, this is where the work truly begins.
Don’t forget to stay connected all year with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 365 newsletter and the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Podcast.
Photo courtesy of CONEXPO-CON/AGG
