AEM hosted top state and federal lawmakers at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, giving them a first-hand look at the equipment that builds, feeds, and powers America. Joining more than 140,000 attendees across 3 million square feet of exhibit space, the lawmakers heard directly from manufacturers about the challenges and opportunities facing the equipment manufacturing industry.
Leading up to the show's opening, AEM hosted the top leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). This marked the second time in the history of CONEXPO-CON/AGG that both the Chair and Ranking Member of the T&I Committee attended the show together.
As Congress marches toward the September deadline to reauthorize critical surface transportation programs, the visit highlighted how America’s prosperity, global competitiveness, and quality of life depend on modern infrastructure. AEM is urging lawmakers to act with urgency and pass a robust, bipartisan surface transportation bill this year.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo also toured the largest trade show in Western Hemisphere, learning about the innovative equipment made in the state and getting a closer look at the trade show that takes over the Las Vegas Convention Center every three years.
"It was an honor to host North America's largest construction trade show right here in Las Vegas,” said Governor Lombardo. “CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a unique opportunity to spotlight the innovation shaping industries we depend on every day while highlighting Nevada businesses making an impact on the global stage."
On the last day of the show, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer along a delegation from the Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) visited CONEXPO-CON/AGG. RMSP is a broad alliance of “conservative, governing Republicans, including more than 90 sitting members in Congress... dedicated to working to enact commonsense legislation.”
“I was honored to join AEM for CONEXPO-CON/AGG, where I got to see firsthand how some of President Trump’s investments in the workforce are being used on the ground in the form of new equipment and innovations,” said Secretary of Labor Chavez-DeRemer. “The industries and companies present represented the best of America - the grit and ingenuity that built our country 250 years ago. I look forward to seeing how AEM will continue to showcase and support the American Worker.”
Secretary of Labor Chavez-DeRemer and Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), and Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.) got a first-hand how equipment built in America and in their districts has evolved to become more automated, autonomous, and efficient.
“It was an honor to host U.S. Secretary of Labor Chavez DeRemer, Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Governor Lombardo, and Reps. Edwards (R-N.C.), Maloy (R-Utah), and Shreve (R-Ind.) at CONEXPO-CON/AGG,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM senior vice president of government and industry relations. “Congress has an opportunity this year to pass a surface transportation reauthorization bill that improves safety, reduces delays, fuels economic growth, and supports family-sustaining jobs, and there is no better place than COEXPO-CON/AGG to have conversations about a sustainable and long-term funding mechanism for America’s transportation infrastructure. We are proud that CONEXPO-CON/AGG has become a go-to destination for lawmakers interested in learning more about the people and equipment that build America’s infrastructure.”
To learn more about AEM’s infrastructure advocacy efforts or to get involved, reach out to AEM’s Advocacy Team.
