by Andrew Haman

In late March, thousands from across the Northeast’s construction industry (and specifically, those from the Empire State) descended on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse for the 36th Annual Hard Hat Expo.

Begun in the 1980s by owner-manager Lee Newspapers and Trade Shows Inc. (of Palatine Bridge, NY), the show was crafted to be both a networking opportunity for construction professionals and a marketplace opportunity for industry dealers/manufacturers.

Billed as “the largest construction trade show East of the Mississippi,” the Hard Hat Expo has grown over the decades, moving from its original location in the Center of Progress Building to the newer, larger Exposition Center in the late 2010s.

This year’s show boasted a full floor plan of almost 130 exhibitors, with something for everyone across the show’s attendee profile of construction contractors and professionals, municipality contacts, landscapers and more.

Hard Hat Expo Sales Manager Matt Stanley noted, “The 36th annual Hard Hat Expo is in the books and it proved to be a banner show for exhibitors and attendees alike. The Hard Hat Expo has the unique status of being the largest annual construction industry-focused gathering in the East and this year was no exception.

“Municipal managers, excavation companies, paving companies, utility contractors, landscapers/groundskeeping companies, snow and ice management, demolition companies and tree care companies comprised the two solid days of attendance in the Expo Center at the NYS Fairgrounds.

“New this year, attendees and exhibitors enjoyed lunch on Wednesday sponsored by Auctions International, Vernon National Shooting Preserve and the Hard Hat Expo. Many exhibitors have reported successful experiences with numerous leads captured at the event. The Hard Hat Expo is the event in the East for everything construction-related and we look forward to our next production on March 19 and 20, 2025.”

For more information on the Hard Hat Expo, visit www.hardhatexpo.com. For information on other Lee Trade Shows events, visit www.leetradeshows.com.