Central New York’s Hard Hat Expo, taking place in the Exposition Center of the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, hosted another successful event for their 2025 show last week, with several exhibitors noting it was their most successful show in several years.

The expo, billed as “The Largest Construction Show of its Kind East of the Mississippi,” has been around since 1985 and has built a loyal industry following, attracting exhibitors and attendees from across the Northeast and beyond. The attendee profile is far-reaching, but show management is always quick to maintain that it’s a pure attendee profile – no non-industry “tire-kickers” to be found.

The show typically sees 3,500 to 5,500 in attendance across two days. Attendees are comprised of municipal superintendents and public works managers, heavy construction and highway construction companies, excavation companies, utility contractors, road and highway maintenance (including snow and ice management), landscapers and hardscapers, aggregate producers, paving companies, corporate maintenance and groundskeeping, land clearing/logging and demolition contractors.

The outside exhibit space, in front of the entrance to Expo Center, was filled by vendors like Bailey’s Inc., demonstrating their wood processing equipment, and others like Yacano Enterprises, J.C. Smith Inc., Anderson Equipment, Tracey Road Equipment and Stephenson Equipment Inc., displaying an impressive entourage of trucks, tractors, excavators and more.

The interior of the Expo Center hosted booth spaces and floor areas, platforming a who’s-who of industry players, manufacturers and service providers.

Sponsor-exhibitors Tracey Road Equipment, White’s Farm Supply, CNY Farm Supply, J.C. Smith Inc., Clinton Tractor and others facilitated giveaways, which were a big draw for attendees, ranging from gift cards to a Ferris mower. Buyer’s Product Company and Jutland Truck Bodies sponsored Wednesday’s hospitality lunch and Rattle Stick Concrete Tools provided this year’s show bags. McCarthy Tire Service Company provided the wristbands for this year’s event.

The big attraction for Wednesday was the annual Skid Steer Rodeo, during which contestants pilot exhibitor-sponsored skid steer machines to move through and interact with various obstacles, shooting for timeliness and accuracy. Winners take home prizes and a plaque or trophy. Tracey Road Equipment sponsored the 2025 trophies. Tracey Road, Absolute Auctions and Realty, Auctions International and McCarthy Tire Service Company all sponsored prizes, with Tracey Road and White’s Farm Supply sponsoring equipment.

It was a successful show for many. CNY Farm Supply, of note, sold a $20,000+ tractor early in the day Thursday – and they were far from the only equipment and product sale throughout both days.

“The future is wide open,” said Show Sales Manager Matt Stanley. As the show has returned to pre-pandemic involvement, the management team once again looks to possibly expand to a second building on the State Fairgrounds property for 2026. “Everyone is leaving here really happy and really pleased with this year’s outcomes. I’m really pleased with how we platformed ourselves this year and how well it worked for everyone. I think we’ve set ourselves up for a great year next year in 2026.”

The Hard Hat Expo will return March 18 & 19, 2026.

For more information, visit HardHatExpo.com or follow the event on Facebook.

by Andy Haman