Innovation, iron, and impact

North America's largest construction trade show brought the industry together to buy equipment, carry out business, and explore the technologies shaping the job sites of the future.

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CONEXPO 2026 attracted more than 140,000 construction professionals from 128 countries to Las Vegas, as contractors, manufacturers, technology leaders, and workforce advocates showcased new machinery and emerging sustainable solutions.

Held in March over five halls and an exhibition yard spanning more than three million square feet, the event featured exhibitors from all sectors of the construction industry.

From earthmoving machines, towering cranes and next generation paving equipment, to digital job site solutions, automation, and advancements, the show floors offered attendees the opportunity to get up close to innovations, connect directly with manufacturers, and make informed purchasing decisions that will shape their projects and businesses in the years ahead.

Earthmoving Equipment Magazine takes a closer look at some of the exhibits.

Caterpillar

For the first time, Caterpillar built its own arena outside the convention centre on Festival Grounds, featuring the largest collection of equipment the manufacturer had displayed at the event. This allowed visitors to experience in-the-dirt demos at the pit, named Operator Stadium, with the latest lineup of products put to the test.

The area also hosted the Global Operator Challenge Finals, where some of the world's best equipment operators competed in tests to determine the world’s best machine operator.

Among machinery releases, several new Cat models joined the ranks, including the 253 compact track loader, 319 compact radius excavator, the one-tonne 301.7 CR mini excavator, and D8 XE electric drive dozer.

Also on show was Caterpillar's first compact utility loader, the 4t TUL100, offering a 918kg-rated operating capacity, and marking the company's entry into this segment.

Merlo