A Century of Reshaping What's Possible

The event we now know as CONEXPO-CON/AGG traces its roots to 1909, when the American Road Builders Association hosted the first “Road Show” in Columbus, Ohio.

Over the next several decades, the show grew steadily. When we made our first appearance in 1926, it had already become a gathering place for new ideas and emerging equipment. By 1929, the Cleveland Road Show featured about $5 million in exhibits arriving on nearly 500 railroad cars. In 1948, more than 1,000 car-loads of machinery filled Chicago’s Soldier Field, drawing 63,000 attendees from 40 countries.

The event continued to expand, eventually taking on the name CONEXPO in 1975 and moving to Las Vegas in 1987, where it now spans millions of square feet and attracts visitors from around the world.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Caterpillar displays showcased track-type tractors, earthmoving attachments and the transition to diesel power. These early exhibits set the tone for future shows, giving attendees a glimpse at how jobsites could become more efficient and productive.

As construction needs grew through the mid-20th century, so did expectations for what our products could deliver. Visitors arrived eager to see our latest dozers, loaders and scrapers, as well as the emerging hydraulic systems that would soon reshape modern earthmoving.

Over time, our displays became a regular stop for attendees who wanted innovative, reliable solutions and a clearer picture of where the industry was headed next.

As CONEXPO-CON/AGG grew, it transformed from row after row of equipment displays into a broader look at how entire jobsites operate. Our presence adapted along with it. Instead of simply introducing new machines, we began focusing on the tools, training and support that helped contractors get more done day to day.

Live demonstrations became an important part of the experience, giving visitors a close look at how equipment performed under pressure. That hands-on approach laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Cat® Operator Stadium: a space designed to show real work in real conditions, supported by practical insights from the people who build, maintain and operate the equipment.

The result was a shift from static exhibits to an immersive experience centered on learning, connection and shared problem-solving.

All of that brings us to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, where we're combining the best of the past with fresh ways to move the industry forward.

Our show theme this year, "Reshape What’s Possible," reflects the mindset we share with contractors everywhere: looking ahead, finding better ways to work and imagining what your operation could look like tomorrow.

Cat Operator Stadium will once again anchor the experience: hosting the finals of the Global Operator Challenge and serving as the hub for new product introductions, technology demonstrations and real-world performance insights. It’s where you’ll see how today’s machines, tools and support systems come together on a working jobsite.

Across all of our exhibits, you’ll get a clear sense of how we’re helping revolutionize the work through technology, services and rental solutions.

Looking back on our time at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, what stands out isn’t the equipment on display but the people we’ve met, the challenges we’ve tackled and the progress we've made. Every show reflects the belief that’s guided us from the start: when you look ahead and imagine something better, we want to help you build it.

We hope to see you at the 2026 show, so we can continue reshaping what’s possible together.