Attendance jumps 76% for National Pavement Expo making it the biggest ever
Fort Atkinson, WI (PRWEB) February 17, 2015 -- National Pavement Expo, a four-day conference and trade show serving the paving and pavement maintenance industry, reported a 76% increase in attendance at this year’s event, held at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN. The 2015 expo experienced the biggest turnout in its 30-year history with 3,371 total registrations.
Amy Schwandt, show manager and publisher of the expo’s sponsoring trade magazines, Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction™ and Asphalt Contractor™, attributed the growth to several factors: the improving economy, a major equipment giveaway, top industry speakers for its conference, a sold-out exhibit hall, and expanded marketing.
Equipment giveaway and awards
“We introduced two new features in 2015 that were huge hits. The first was CASE Construction’s equipment giveaway, a DV26 roller valued at more than $51,000,” she said. John Pond, owner of Forest City Paving in Rockford, IL, was the lucky winner.
On being selected from more than 1,500 entries, Pond exclaimed, "This is huge for us; no way could we have purchased a roller like this. We're a small company and two years ago we had to sell a similar size roller due to the downturn in the economy."
The expo’s other new feature was the industry’s first Pavement Awards program, which recognized 14 individuals and companies that have enhanced the paving and pavement maintenance industry. Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction magazine launched the Pavement Awards this year to celebrate National Pavement Expo’s 30th year; the winners are featured in the magazine’s February issue.
According to Allan Heydorn, conference manager, the conference evaluation forms confirmed that attendees appreciated the real-world experience that speakers brought to their education sessions. “The speakers shared practical, in-the-trenches knowledge and expertise that help attendees improve their profitability,” Heydorn said. “Most of the 53 sessions were at room capacity, indicating our session topics were on the money and that contractors recognized the impact our speakers could make.”
Attendee comments in the post-show survey reflected the expo’s success:
“I'll be bringing back even more of the team next year,” commented Joel Greear, Central Sealcoat in Ellensburg, WA.
“Excellent speakers related to real life situations that business owners deal with on a daily basis,” stated Rose Marie Swayze, Dan Swayze & Son, Inc., Scotch Plains, NJ.
“The Expo provided a great platform for innovation in pavement related industries,” wrote Dale Debelak, HBD/Thermoid, Inc., Bellefontaine, OH.
2016 expo to be held in Charlotte
Exhibitors have already committed to 70% of the expo space for NPE 2016, which is scheduled for January 27-30 in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We’re excited to host the show in Charlotte, home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Schwandt said. “The Charlotte Convention Center, affordable hotels, great food and nearby entertainment make this a perfect match for our audience.”
About AC Business Media
AC Business Media, which produces National Pavement Expo, is a business-to-business media company with a portfolio of renowned brands in heavy construction, asphalt, paving, concrete, rental, sustainability, manufacturing, logistics and supply chain markets.
Sue Fritz, AC Business Media, +1 2624739190, [email protected]
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