Show Stoppers
In the heart of our Minnesota winter season, we traveled across the U.S. attending a dozen shows and expos over a span of seven weeks within various industries allowing the opportunity to visit, not only with exhibitors, but with farmers, producers, and owners that attended.
This year’s show stopper was the people! Despite cooler and rainier temperatures in most areas, unpredictable crowds were recorded and attendees anxiously awaited entrance. Highlighting additional show stoppers were the demand for financing remains strong as well as most industries positive outlook overall. The shows confronted environmental sustainability head-on with new equipment innovations in carbon emissions reduction. The challenges of supply chains and labor shortages continue with advancements in automation and technology presented in all industries.
Travels started the year off in Chicago at the AED Summit. The windy city met and greeted equipment dealers, manufacturers and vendors in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications. As exhibitors through networking, education, and leadership, there was an air of positivity regarding the current market and the industry as a whole.
Next stops included the green trade, with a local venue in St. Paul at Northern Green featuring new smaller battery-powered equipment. USCC hosted the largest show anywhere for composting and organic recycling hosting COMPOST in Ontario, CA. Soil renewal was the theme with game changing equipment displays. Demo day was one you didn’t want to miss showing the best massive composting solutions in action.
Concrete, from cement to decorative, the WOC in Las Vegas continues to grow as a hub for construction buyers and sellers. Welcoming this year were ranges of new initiatives, advancements in materials, and growth within the trucking sector. Sustainability, whether that be through equipment or concrete materials, continued as the focus in lowering carbon output with renewable electricity through solar.
The cattle industry was jazzed in New Orleans at the NCBA Cattlecon show. Thousands eagerly awaiting the opening of the doors for education, entertainment, and engagement. Filling the show floor with equipment, trucks, and technology on display gaining insight on the current market trends. Then heading north for a stop in South Dakota at the Sioux Falls Farm Show, again well attended as the buying season approaches for the upper Midwest farmers with lots of interest in the newest features in fertilizer tanks.
Dueling for the same calendar dates again this year were National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville and World Ag Expo in Tulare. Both attracted big crowds that flocked to visit booths of machinery, ag transportation, and technology. Growers and producers were kids in a candy store where the latest products and technologies were showcased. Everything from aerial drones to new utility vehicles to laser weeding systems for organic crops to eliminate chemicals.
The way we think about equipment is changing and getting smarter. We are a good financing tool to keep up with all that as we continue to educate, network, and provide essential equipment lending solutions to fit unique needs. Reach out for a no obligation quote before attending an upcoming show! Next, we’re heading back to Las Vegas to attend the petroleum association’s WPMA Expo and CONEXPO/CON AGG – the world’s largest collection of construction equipment and innovation.
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