I Make America had a strong presence at the largest construction trade show in the Western Hemisphere, CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas. Marking I Make America’s fifth time at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the week-long event helped recruit nearly 13,000 new supporters to join the grassroots campaign, which urges elected officials to champion policies that create manufacturing jobs, support infrastructure projects, and train our workforce.
Among thousands of manufacturing employees, suppliers, distributors, contractors, and material producers, I Make America staff was focused on educating attendees about a key infrastructure bill up for reauthorization in Congress. I Make America sent over 35,000 letters on attendees' behalf to their members of Congress, calling on them to prioritize the timely passage of a transportation funding bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure projects.
Outside of rallying attendees in support of infrastructure funding, I Make America was making its mark throughout the trade show. Approximately 4,000 I Make America magnets were placed on equipment and components spread out over the show’s 3 million square feet of exhibit space. These magnets, which have become a staple at industry trade shows, signal pride for U.S. equipment manufacturing and the 2.2 million American jobs that the industry supports.
During the show, I Make America staff also handed out thousands of giveaways, including the iconic I Make America hats made by Triple Crown Products, speakers sponsored by DEUTZ Corporation, and coolers. One lucky attendee will soon be awarded the grand prize, a Mahindra Roxor UTV.
New this year, I Make America partnered with America250, the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to help Americans celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. From large banners to limited-edition magnets to special giveaways at 2:50 pm, CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s over 140,000 attendees had the opportunity to join the celebration with I Make America.
Another first: this year, the AEM Manufacturing Express was part of I Make America’s booth in the Festival Grounds. But the bus had a surprise face on the back – Mike Rowe, who launched the I Make America campaign more than 15 years ago. Rowe, who was giving a talk at CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s Ground Breakers Stage, made the time to see the bus’s new design for himself and greet I Make America staff.
To learn more about I Make America or to host an I Make America event at your facility, please contact AEM’s Senior Director of Grassroots and AEMPAC Kristen Prather, at kprather@aem.org.
