The Insider’s Guide to CONEXPO: Tips, Trends and More

What are you most excited for at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG?

LONNIE / HEAVY CONSTRUCTION: I am most excited to witness the innovation of both iron and technology products that are making construction sites safer, more productive and more efficient.

JASON / QUARRY & AGGREGATES: I’m excited about two main things this year: one, the Global Operator Challenge as this event drives to the heart of customer’s #1 pain point of finding, recruiting and retaining skilled labor such as heavy equipment operators. The second thing I’m excited about is showing customers how Caterpillar can solve their pain points from skilled labor and productivity to safety and reducing costs.

BARRY / TECHNOLOGY: I’m most excited to show customers how Cat^® technology is moving from optional to essential on today’s jobsites. This year’s integrations between machines, connectivity and data services really demonstrate how productivity and safety can scale together.

SARAH / SERVICES: Honestly, I’m excited to show people how much Cat Services has grown. It’s fun watching customers realize how much easier we can make their day-to-day operations.

ALKA / RENTAL: We are most excited for our first large public display of the refreshed Cat Rentals^SM brand, which launched January 1. The Cat Rental Store brand served our dealers and customers well for nearly 30 years, and now we are excited to showcase our modern new look!

What products or trends are you looking for during this CONEXPO-CON/AGG?

LONNIE: I am looking for products that make construction firms more advanced and competitive using the power of data, data analytics and actionable insights in bidding, construction and project management. I’m also interested to see AI products coming to the back office and construction jobsites to enable increased safety and efficiency.

JASON: I’m looking for the next generation of products, services and solutions that can improve the jobsite for a single owner/operator to large multi-location fleets in the quarry and aggregates world. How other OEMs and non-OEMs are responding to customer pain points in the quarry industry is a trend I’m hoping to see at CONEXPO.
 
BARRY: Autonomous and semi-autonomous solutions are currently a major focus, as are enhancements in high-precision grading, production management and safety technologies. I’m also paying attention to how OEMs respond to significant customer challenges that these innovations can help address within the industry. 
 
SARAH: I’m keeping an eye on anything that gives customers better data insights. Tools that make it easier to understand machine health, spot issues early, and plan maintenance and repairs with confidence are huge. 
 
ALKA: Safety will be a trend we continue to look for. Safety is critical in the machine industry, whether a customer owns or rents equipment. We want our customers doing the work safely with all machinery, and this is Caterpillar's and our dealers' number one priority. We are uniquely positioned to provide world-class safety training and tools to support.

What type of technologies interest you the most?

LONNIE: All technologies interest me as each of them increase safety, productivity and/or efficiency. Specifically, I am intereasted in checking Grade, Payload, Compaction, Safety and AI. 
 
JASON: I’m most interested in how technologies directly impact and can clearly show the value in quarry industries — technologies such as autonomous and semi-autonomous products, how telematics, machines, fleet and operator data move to information to improve the skilled labor, productivity, safety and cost challenges quarry customers experience today.

BARRY: I’m most interested in how Caterpillar is expanding autonomous and semi-autonomous technologies within the construction industry. It’s exciting to witness Caterpillar’s deep expertise in automation now making a significant impact in this segment. These advancements help turn data into real-time, job-ready decisions, and I believe solutions like telematics, safety systems and site-wide productivity tools are game changers as the industry gears up for autonomy. Anything that reduces safety risks, fuel consumption and labor gaps truly stands out. 

SARAH: I’m really drawn to technologies that make service and support easier and faster for customers — tools that simplify how they get information, request help or understand what their machine needs. Cat^® AI Assistant^TM is a great example. It gives customers quick answers without digging around or switching applications. Anything that removes friction and makes service feel simple is what gets me excited.

ALKA: Our customers have come to expect on-board and off-board technology on Cat equipment, but we are also seeing an increased need for telematics across rental fleets. Customers can know where their equipment is, along with other telematic information such as hours, location, fuel burn, and utilization.

Many attendees come with limited time - what specific exhibits, demos or sessions would you recommend as "must-see" for both new and long-time Cat^® customers?

LONNIE: Global Operator Challenge, construction site demos and spotlight demos. Take time to speak to Caterpillar experts at each of the booths/experiences at Operator Stadium. 

JASON: Every attendee needs to see the Global Operator Challenge and witness some of the best operators from around the world compete to be the best global operator. After that, I would suggest the Cat Technology Area, jobsite and spotlight demonstrations to experience how Caterpillar is moving beyond the iron to reduce customer pain points.

BARRY: New customers can visit the Cat Command demo zones to experience remote and semi‑autonomous operations. Long-time customers should check out the Caterpillar Performance Center for updates on the latest technology, including VisionLink^TM, Collision Mitigation, productivity innovations and uptime tools.

SARAH: Stop by the Services Performance Center to see a rebuilt Cat 336F Excavator. Then walk inside and get rebuild options specific to your fleet with our new Selector Tool. 

ALKA: Come see the brand new Cat telehandler alongside our complementary rental equipment. 

How does this year's show build on or improve the experience compared to previous years?

LONNIE: Advancements in Caterpillar’s technology and product innovation will be demonstrated to show how Cat machine, technology and solution products accelerate customer success through increases in construction site-level safety, production and efficiency while addressing the skilled worker shortage.

JASON: This year is far more encompassing of customer needs. How we’re showing products, technologies, services and solutions all working together to improve the customers’ bottom line is impressive. 
 
BARRY: This year is far more immersive, with connected zones that let visitors experience hardware, software and services as a unified ecosystem. The ability to seamlessly move from machines to technology to support solutions makes the story more complete. 

SARAH: This year feels more hands-on. We’ve added more interactive displays where customers can get a closer look at parts, get demos of digital tools that make maintenance simple and an up-close look at the rebuild and remanufacturing process.

ALKA: We have the largest rental display we've ever had at CONEXPO at this year's show, showcasing the new Cat Rentals brand, a variety of popular rental equipment and live demonstrations of our customer digital experience for expert rental fleet management.

What do you think is the most underrated part of the show? any best kept secrets?

LONNIE: Tapping into the knowledge of Caterpillar experts onsite at CONEXPO to glean insights, awareness and considerations to improve business operations and profitability.

JASON: I think the best-kept secret is meeting and talking to the experts. I feel this experience and engagement will provide customers with an experience far beyond anything else.

BARRY: The Services and Support areas often get overlooked, but they’re where customers discover tools that drive year-round savings. The tech walkthroughs — especially the VisionLink^TM demos — are incredibly valuable but easy to miss if you’re rushing between exhibits.

SARAH: The quick problem solving that happens when customers chat one-on-one with our SMEs. People bring real issues they’re dealing with and in just a few minutes they can walk away with a clear fix or a smarter service option for their machine.

ALKA: Take time to chat with OEM representatives on the show floor. There is so much to learn on all the equipment, and we send our best and brightest to represent the equipment and the brand!

Caterpillar's presence at CONEXPO this year is significantly larger and spread across multiple zones - How does this expanded footprint enhance the visitor experience? 

LONNIE: Caterpillar’s expanded footprint tees up an immersive experience where the attendee gets a comprehensive look into the plethora of products, services and expertise Caterpillar has to offer. The conversation can and should go beyond the yellow iron to yield actionable takeaways from time spent with Caterpillar at CONEXPO.

JASON: The expanded footprint allows us to enhance every part of the customer experience from live competitions and demos to direct expert interactions for products, services, technologies and solutions to provide customers with a one-stop shop for all their needs and pains. 
 
BARRY: Spreading across multiple zones lets us group demos in a way that feels intuitive: equipment together, technology together and services together. It helps customers navigate based on what they value most, while still seeing how everything connects. 

SARAH: It gives us room to show how Cat Services fits into everything Caterpillar does. Customers can explore at their own pace and really see the full picture. 

ALKA: You get to experience all aspects of Caterpillar and all the Cat brand as to offer.  In West Hall, customers will also experience the Cat Rentals brand alongside the new Cat Compact brand. 

What trends are you seeing in how customers are using rental equipment today?

LONNIE: Renting to limit risk of maintenance, repair, economic cycles; leverage new technology; and tryout machine advancements that help our customers meet or beat tight construction budgets and schedules. 
 
JASON: In the quarry industry, I see customers are using Cat Rentals beyond just the machine for a short-term filler. Customers are using rentals to evaluate new technologies and fleet integration.

BARRY: Customers are using Cat Rentals as a strategic lever — not just to fill gaps, but to test new technologies, manage cash flow and scale seasonally. They’re leaning on dealers more for uptime assurance, telematics insights and configuration support.

SARAH: We’re seeing more customers lean on rental equipment to keep their projects moving without delays. Reducing downtime is the priority, so they look for machines that are ready to work and service support that keeps them running without interruptions.

ALKA: Rental is important to our customers for a wide variety of reasons — everything from supplementing their owned fleet, taking on new and unique projects, and reducing maintenance and repair costs. Rental offers solutions for all customers’ projects.

What's one service feature attendees might overlook, but that could make a big difference to their operations? 

LONNIE: One: increased service interval length/fewer touches of the machine for service. Two: fleet and condition monitoring — let Caterpillar monitor your fleet’s maintenance and health to maximize uptime and productivity while reducing cost.

JASON: I believe Caterpillar and Cat dealer fleet monitoring and condition monitoring can improve uptime, reduce costs, reduce labor and increase productivity. 

BARRY: VisionLink^TM’s mixed fleet capabilities often get missed, but they unlock jobsite-wide visibility no matter what brands customers run. Pairing that with Cat dealer condition monitoring can materially reduce downtime and maintenance surprises. 
 
SARAH: Our new Services Commitment. It clearly lays out what customers can expect from us, including fast support, predictable maintenance and reliable parts, giving them confidence that we’re backing them throughout the life of their equipment.

 
ALKA: Rentals is the ultimate service we provide to customers, in addition to the full suite of services our dealers offer. The benefit of renting from your Cat dealer is they know you, your business and your fleet and are ready to support you on the jobsite and as your business grows.  

What does it mean for Caterpillar to mark its centennial at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and how is that legacy reflected in what attendees will see on the show floor?

LONNIE: Caterpillar’s 100-year legacy signifies our commitment to the industries and customers we serve through our robust dealer network throughout the world to provide the best machine products, technologies, services and solutions to deliver superior value to our customers — all while maintaining and building a better world. 
 
JASON: Caterpillar’s Centennial solidifies the company’s 100-year commitment to customers around the world of building, providing and supporting the best products, technologies, services and solutions to bring true innovation and value to all customers. 

BARRY: The Centennial celebrates 100 years of supporting customers in shaping the world, highlighting our ongoing commitment to innovation. This tradition is evident on the show floor, where robust machinery stands alongside advanced digital and connected technologies. Ultimately, the event demonstrates to customers the direction we're heading in for the next 100 years. 

SARAH: It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how focused we are on supporting customers for the next 100 years. The mix of legacy and innovation is really cool to see at the show. 

ALKA: We are all so proud to work for Caterpillar, and CONEXPO is the perfect culmination of our Centennial year-long celebration. As we redesigned the Cat Rentals brand, we made a very intentional decision to lean into the Cat brand, built by Caterpillar and our dealers. We have a strong legacy of reliable, high-quality and safe equipment to complete the work with maximum productivity and efficiency.