The co-located 2010 World of Asphalt Show & Conference and AGG1 Aggregates Forum & Expo have just concluded a record-breaking run despite the lingering downturn.

The shows, which were held Feb. 15 to 18, at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati, posted record numbers for registrants, amount of exhibit space taken and number of education session tickets purchased.

Final registration numbers topped 6,200 for the two shows compared to 5,795 for the 2009 events, and included registrants from all 50 states, all 10 Canadian provinces and more than 30 other countries worldwide. More than 25 percent of the attendees were company presidents/owners, vice presidents, general managers or chief financial officers. All together, 80 percent of registrants were in managerial roles.

The show floor covered 87,000-plus net sq. ft. of exhibit space, compared to the 2009 total of 85,900 net sq. ft. More than 340 exhibitors showcased the latest technologies, equipment and products for aggregates, asphalt, pavement maintenance and traffic safety professionals.

Attendees purchased 6,600 education session tickets for the conferences, training programs and seminars held with the two shows, compared to the 2009 total of 5,730.

“This was truly an industry gathering place with a positive buzz throughout the convention center. Participants connected to share experiences and get up to speed on the latest technologies and ’best practices’ that will drive growth in tomorrow’s economy,” stated Show Director Melissa Magestro.

“Our industry has been hit hard by this recession but there is some optimism looking ahead. We received very favorable feedback about the shows’ value in fostering these industry connections to help participants succeed,” Magestro added.

“World of Asphalt and AGG1 are industry-run shows, and industry support has been key to their success,” explained Magestro. “We understand that attendees and exhibitors need to carefully evaluate their budgets and time and make choices. Our industry partnerships and co-located events broaden the depth of the show experience for all participants and provide maximum return on investment,” she stated.

Co-locating with World of Asphalt and AGG1 in 2010 were the Flexible Pavements of Ohio annual meeting and the Plantmix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky (PAIKY) Winter Training School.

Several educational gatherings also would held in conjunction with the shows. These included the AGG1 Academy; the People, Plants and Paving Program; and the Asphalt Pavement Alliance’s Asphalt Pavement Conference.

Attendees also had access to the co-located National Traffic Management and Work Zone Safety Power Workshop, sponsored by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA); a NIOSH Seminar on Major Hazard Risk Assessment; a Project Management Essentials workshop; and an OSHA 10-hour course for construction workers certification program.

The shows are not held during ConExpo-Con/AGG show years, so in 2011, World of Asphalt and AGG1 exhibitors and products will be spotlighted at ConExpo-Con/AGG, in March 2011 in Las Vegas. The co-located shows return in 2012 — March 12 to 15 in Charlotte, N.C.

World of Asphalt is owned by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM); AGG1 is owned by the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA). AEM is the producer of the show.

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