By Brittany Schmidtke, World of Asphalt Show Director --
Products and technologies, educational opportunities, and insights on issues impacting our industry – World of Asphalt 2025 will have it all (and then some).
With the show set to take over St. Louis in a major way next week, I’ve found myself thinking about all the investments of time, effort, and resources put into World of Asphalt to make it the consistently successful and well-regarded show it is today. It’s truly amazing to witness longtime industry peers come together, set aside competitive differences, and enthusiastically share best practices in support of the asphalt industry. While certain aspects of World of Asphalt change from year to year, cooperation and collaboration consistently remain critical components in ensuring the show will maintain both longevity and industry relevance for years to come.
Above all else, though, it’s the longstanding partnership between show organizers AEM and The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) that drives a best-in-class show experience for asphalt producers, contractors, dealers, and government officials in the asphalt and highway sectors, as well as equipment manufacturers, in the off-years between CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade shows. Today, World of Asphalt – which is co-located with AGG1, the aggregates industry's leading expo and conference – is the premier asphalt trade show and conference for those sectors to see the latest and greatest products and technologies, as well gain access to top-notch educational resources focused on key industry issues.
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Next week, thousands of show attendees will flock to St. Louis and connect with more than 400 exhibitors about equipment and services that will improve their day-to-day operations, their business, and the industry as a whole. I’m proud to say the equipment brought to World of Asphalt continually pushes the boundaries of innovation, and it offers industry professionals the tools and technology they need to build the roads, bridges, and infrastructure we all rely on every day.
With this year’s show right around the corner, it’s safe to say show organizers are primed to deliver a valuable and memorable show experience to exhibitors and attendees alike. Some of the new features for 2025 I’m most excited about include:
- A new large Community Zone on the show floor centered on connecting and fully absorbing the industry with some of the key voices in the industry. It will feature a lounge, short soundbites on topics such as work zone safety, mental wellness, women of asphalt, among other features.
- Expanded food options and places to gather and eat.
- A great partnership with the City of St. Louis offering enhanced off-site activities and eateries.
What’s more, World of Asphalt participants can fully expect a comprehensive, valuable, and memorable experience from the moment they arrive in St. Louis. The show itself starts Tuesday, March 25, but the festivities really begin with a sold-out welcome party on Monday, March 24. Hosted by World of Asphalt and asphalt pro and influencer brand Raised on Blacktop, the kick-off celebration will take place at Busch Stadium, home of the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals, during the opening week of the 2025 regular season. In addition, World of Asphalt partnered with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues to offer show attendees an opportunity to attend the March 25 home game against the Montreal Canadians at the nearby Enterprise Center.
Ultimately, St. Louis is poised to provide an exceptional experience for all show participants, and I expect to see a tremendous amount of buzz and excitement on the show floor and around the city all week long.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention People, Plants, and Paving. This best-in-class education program offers insights from industry thought leaders through a variety of sessions focused on business trends and the latest advances in the asphalt industry. Examples include:
- Extreme Ownership for Business and Life, With Echelon Front
- Strategies for Mental Health, With Dr. Vince Hafeli
- Aligning Compensation and Growth Strategies, With Jeani Ringkob
- AI: The Road to Efficiency, Insight and Innovation, With XBE
I’ve spent the last several years working closely with and alongside show organizers, and I’m always struck by just how willing World of Asphalt attendees are to advance their industry knowledge, refine their skills, and share their resources and perspectives with others. But they can’t do it alone. So, as we prepare for another successful show run in a few days, I encourage all participating AEM members and their fellow exhibitors to embrace the role of thought leader and equipment manufacturing ambassador at World of Asphalt 2025. There is no shortage of opportunities at the show to demonstrate how equipment and services can bring about a bright future for the asphalt and paving industry and also meet the ever-evolving needs and expectations of customers.
There’s nothing quite like the energy, excitement, and sense of community found on a packed trade show floor, and I have no doubt World of Asphalt will be an incredible experience and once again showcase the best the asphalt industry has to offer.
See you all next week in St. Louis!
About World of Asphalt
Held every year except during CONEXPO-CON/AGG years, World of Asphalt is the leading trade show and conference focused on the asphalt and paving industries. The show features the best education, and latest equipment, products, services, and technologies for the asphalt and paving industries. The next World of Asphalt, co-located with the AGG1 Academy & Expo, will be held March 25-27, in St. Louis. For more information on World of Asphalt, visit www.worldofasphalt.com.
