A year ago I was preparing for my first trip ever to World of Asphalt, and I was nervous and slightly overwhelmed by the prospect of all that it was going to entail. When it was all said and done, if I can be fully transparent, I felt like I could have done a better job. I was out there, bringing as much coverage as I could of the show for those who couldn't be there, but I also felt like I stayed fairly safe in my regular wheel-house of equipment and manufacturers.
While they definitely had a lot to talk about, I was of the opinion that I didn't step far enough outside my comfort-zone. That's something I intend to rectify this month at World of Asphalt 2025. I want to venture down the booth aisles that I missed last year in Nashville, I want to find some of the weirder and less well-known corners of our industry. Of course, I will have any big news from the CATs, Dynapacs, and Astec's of the world -- but we are also going to bring you news from places you didn't even know you wanted it from.
The magazine also has a booth of its own, and I hope that I will get to meet some of you out there in St. Louis. Make a stop by booth #3340 and theres a fair chance you'll find me there working on a write up of the show. If you don't find me at the booth, there's a good chance you'll see me on the show floor. I want to encourage you to stop me, and say hello, because I'm always interested in getting to meet readers.
World of Asphalt Preview Guide
The bulk of this month's issue of Asphalt Contractor (Read digital issue here) is all about WOA, and thus there are almost a dozen pages dedicated to some of the most exciting products we're aware of ahead of the show. We reached out to more than fifty exhibitors, and asked them to tell us what they're bringing to the show that they are planning to showcase. What are they looking forward to showing attendees the most?
Use the guide as a way to plan your time efficiently at the show. If there's one major truth about trade shows like World of Asphalt or CONEXPO, you never has as much time as you think you do. So, as you look through the guide, make a note of the booth numbers so that you can mark out your planned stops on the day. If you have a route mapped out, as well as some questions planned ahead of time for the company representatives who'll be there to talk to you, you're going to better maximize your time in the showroom.
I know that this year I am planning on spending a lot more time with the aggregates side of our industry, to shore up on some areas where I am a little weaker in my knowledge. Hopefully, I will see you out there! Or...I'll see you on the road!!
