SOURCE: Inside Construction | October 30, 2025
Every three years, Las Vegas becomes the meeting ground for the construction world, with CONEXPO-CON/AGG showcasing machinery, technology and ideas that signal where the industry is heading. Among the towering cranes and cutting-edge demonstrations, recognition has become just as important as exhibition. Awards spotlight those who challenge convention and set the pace for the wider sector.
In 2026, the Next Level Awards return with an expanded format that underscores their growing influence. The program, introduced at the last show, will now include two new categories – Equipment and Technology – highlighting the areas that continue to drive According to show director Dana Wuesthoff, this evolution is a deliberate effort to raise the stakes for innovation.
“By highlighting the most inventive products, services and technologies, we not only honour the pioneers driving progress but also inspire the entire industry to reach new heights,” says Wuesthoff.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 will also debut the Exhibit Design Awards, a competition that recognises excellence in exhibit design and presentation. All exhibitors will be entered, with impartial judging by EXHIBITOR magazine staff narrowing the field before design and marketing specialists evaluate the finalists on site. Winners, including an Editor’s Choice recipient, will be announced on the Ground Breakers Stage and rewarded with both a trophy and a scholarship to attend EXHIBITORLIVE 2026.
Behind these initiatives lies a strategy that reflects the role of CONEXPO-CON/AGG itself. Owned in partnership with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the show has been a proving ground for ideas that influence global markets.
With its expanded awards program, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 reinforces its position as a meeting place for construction decision makers.
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