If shopping for the latest in construction equipment and services was on your list of things to do for the month of March, the New York Hard Hat Expo in Syracuse on March 19 and 20 was the place to be! Just ask the thousands of attendees who made their way to the New York State Fairgrounds Exhibition Center the location of this year’s 28th annual event.
Because of scheduling considerations with regard to the CONEXPO-CON/AGG held earlier in March in Las Vegas, Hard Hat Expo officials scheduled this year’s show later in the month than in previous years, for the convenience of exhibitors and attendees alike. Their efforts did not go unrewarded.
With new dates facilitating the need to house the event in one building instead of two as in previous years, the entire event was held in the Agway Exhibit Center. This new venue proved to be ideal. Attendees were able to visit all of the exhibits in one building. With everything from paving equipment, trucks, front end loaders and horizontal drilling equipment, to insurance agencies, industry associations and other service-related businesses being represented at one event, having it all in one building was especially convenient.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback with the show being in one building,” said Ken Maring, Lee Newspapers, Inc. Trade Show Division Manager. “Logistically, it was a little more challenging than in past years, but it has worked out very nicely.”
Highlights of this year’s Hard Hat Expo included the exciting Skid Steer Rodeo, daily door prizes sponsored by Lee Publications and Hard Hat News (see coverage of winners elsewhere in this issue) and the usual complimentary items that exhibitors extend to attendees who take time to visit their booths and displays.
One especially exciting promotional event this year was the 2014 Harley-Davidson motorcycle give-away, sponsored by the Clark Equipment Company, Syracuse, NY. With dozens of attendees gathered around for the giveaway drawing, Matt Clark randomly selected Moira Brady of Liverpool, NY as the winner late Wednesday afternoon. Since Brady had not yet left the event for the day, she informed of her winning and Adam Clark presented Brady with the keys to the new motorcycle within minutes of the drawing. She was both stunned and delighted to win.
Maring said that show planners are already busy, arranging for next year’s New York Hard Hat Expo set for March 18 & 19, 2015. See you there! For more information, call 1-800-218-5586.