US market between depression and optimism
The upswing is not yet under way. This could be the conclusion of this year‘s IconExpo – „International Concrete Exposition“ – held in Las Vegas from March 22 - 26. Even the construction markets do not seem to have recovered from the persistent uncertainty prevailing in the US economy. At present, North American companies particularly see a chance in worldwide marketing. Nevertheless, everybody hopes for the upswing to come.
The 145 international exhibitors at IconExpo had quite different impressions. Many of them feel somehow between sound optimism and deep depression. Quite a small number of people among the overall 120,000 international visitors registered at the Las Vegas Convention Center were attracted to the hall of the IconExpo co-located with ConExpo-Con/AGG and IPFE the largest North American event of the construction industry. Some exhibitors reported about a continuous sales slump in the North American market and they only expected an upward economic trend in the next two to three years at the earliest. Other exhibitors in turn declared to be very satisfied with the high level of visitors‘ quality. For this reason, it was occasionally possible to establish good business contacts even leading to new customers now and then.
„The construction industry has been through some very tough times, with record unemployment, since the last ConExpo-Con/AGG and IFPE in March 2008. With the positive numbers and the industry support of the shows, we are optimistic about the future and looking forward to seeing these new sales orders fulfilled,“ stated Megan Tanel, AEM vice president of exhibitions and events.
Nevertheless, this year‘s event also set records: The ConExpo comprised more than 860 co-located events, including various meetings, award ceremonies and educational programs, such as the joint NCMA/ICPI Member Networking Reception, the NCMA/ICPI Safety Awards Banquet, the NCMA Annual Convention or the comprehensive further education programs and number of sessions offered.
There was another record set in the Conventional Center in terms of the international participation: the international registrations accounted for 24% of the overall attendees, representing more than 150 countries. According to the organizers, the majority of the visitors were important decision-makers of the companies including 44 % top-ranking persons with titles such as president, owner and vice-president, general manager, CEO and CFO.
A new edition of IconExpo will already take place next year, in that case once again together with the Precast Show. The trade show will then be held from February 28 – March 3, 2012 in Orlando, Florida organized by: NPCA, ACPA and NCMA. A trade show in this combination – especially tailored to exhibitors and visitors of the concrete industry – already took place in the past several times up until four years ago.
Photos of the IconExpo are available at Photo gallery IconExpo 2011 .⇥
