NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A record number of asphalt and aggregates professionals convened in Nashville for the largest World of Asphalt and AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo in the show’s history. Running March 25-27, 2024, the show set new records in both attendance and square footage.
Over 15,800 industry professionals took in the three-day event in the Music City, exploring more than 440 exhibitors and 120 educational sessions. This is a 38% increase in attendance, shattering the previous record of 11,400 set in 2022. Visitors traveled from across the country and abroad, some traveling from as far as Africa, England, and Argentina, to take part in the leading asphalt and aggregates trade show and conference. A total of 71 people from the Dominican Republic registered for the event, including the country’s Minister of Public Works, Deligne Ascencion Burgos, who attended an education session and received a tour of the exhibit floor from show staff leadership. The exhibit floor encompassed more than 207,000 square feet of the Music City Center; a 14,000 foot-increase compared to 2022’s event in the same space.
“The success of this year’s event is thanks to the dedication and collaboration of all our teams and partners,” said World of Asphalt Show Director Brittany Schmidtke. “This year’s record-breaking attendance proves the vital role this event plays in the asphalt and aggregates industries.”
According to Lupe Aranda, President of Superior Roadway Services Florida, “This is my second time attending a World of Asphalt show. I come here to see the new equipment, new technology, especially before it’s out on the market. If you’re in the paving business, you need to come here.”
“World of Asphalt and AGG1 gives Volvo CE a space to engage directly with new customers and foster meaningful connections across the industry,” said Volvo North America Head of PR & Exhibitions Amy Crouse. “It’s an event our team always looks forward to, and the 2024 show was nothing short of outstanding in both attendance and location.”
Education at World of Asphalt’s People, Plants & Paving Conference and the AGG1 Academy totaled more than 120 sessions. Some of the most popular sessions included Best Practices for Milling & Profiling, Best Practices for Residential & Commercial Paving, and Relational Leadership.
“I’ve been in the business for 35 years, but it’s the tips that I don’t know that I’m learning in these sessions and the latest technology that I’m seeing is helping all of us get to that next level,” said Bob Parker, a consultant with Rap Gap Consultants and retired DOT State Representative.
"The AGG1 Academy & Expo is a unique environment that facilitates the connection of exhibitors and attendees to experience the latest innovations, technology and education," said NSSGA President & CEO Michael Johnson. "This year's immense growth of exhibit space and attendance is aligned with the strength and impact of the entire aggregates industry."
Raised on Blacktop and World of Asphalt collaborated to host a sold-out kick-off party. Also sponsored by Bagela by Pavement Recyclers, Dynapac, LeeBoy, WIRTGEN GROUP, and XBroom the first-of-its-kind event brought together 300 asphalt professionals to ignite excitement on the eve of the show’s opening.
“The fact that World of Asphalt sold almost 10% more exhibit space than our record-breaking 2022 show is a testament to the ongoing innovation in the asphalt paving industry,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, Ph.D., P.E. “Our exhibiting equipment manufacturers and suppliers — along with 60 expert-led educational sessions as part of the People, Plants, and Paving Conference — are advancing the industry’s own goals to create efficiencies in producing and laying asphalt pavement while reducing emissions to ensure the sustainability and viability of our product. The techniques and technologies on display at World of Asphalt represent the future of roadbuilding.”
At the Rock & Roads Reception, held at the Music City Center, attendees and exhibitors enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere for networking and camaraderie. The event, held on Tuesday night, featured live music, a Dolly Parton impersonator, and a charming beverage donkey.
Through a record number of press events, 12 companies introduced new products or partnerships. WIRTEN GROUP’s display of sustainable technologies for the road construction process chain included the world premiere of the Wirtgen Compact Milling Machine W 150 Fi, which higher milling performance with lower fuel consumption.
The product unveilings continued, with BOMAG’s latest updates to its CR series pavers, including the introduction of the BOMAG CR 1030 T rubber track paver. It also featured two electric machines from BOMAG’s e-PERFORMANCE offering.
Eagle Crusher Co introduced the MaxRap 25 Portable, featuring Eagle’s UltraMax 25 impactor. Hailed as a two-in-one plant, it can crush RAP at multiple locations and also be converted by removing the diverter chutework to recycle concrete and aggregates.
The last day of World of Asphalt featured a sold-out Women of Asphalt Day. The inaugural event brought together women from across the U.S. for thought provoking conversations, professional development, and networking.
Running concurrently with AGG1 was the NSSGA annual convention, which featured a sold-out Young Leaders Luncheon sponsored by Rock Products. Program participants heard remarks from Robert “Shark” Garland, a combat veteran fighter pilot of the United States Air Force who shared how companies can achieve consistent success, even in the midst of disruption.
Mark Your Calendar: World of Asphalt and AGG1 returns in 2025 when the show travels to St. Louis, Missouri, March 25-27.
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, whose most recent edition was recognized by Trade Show Executive as one of the “Fastest 50” growing trade shows. 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, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. World of Asphalt is majority owned by NAPA and partially owned by AEM, who produces the show. For more information on World of Asphalt, visit www.WorldOfAsphalt.com.
About AGG1 Academy & Expo (AGG1)
Held two out of every three-year cycle, except during CONEXPO-CON/AGG years, AGG1 is the aggregates industry’s leading exposition and education resource. AGG1 features in-depth industry-focused educational programming and comprehensive exhibits that showcase the latest technologies and innovations in aggregates-related equipment, products and services. Co-located with World of Asphalt, the next AGG1 will be held March 25-27, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information visit www.agg1.org.
About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.3 million jobs and contributes roughly $316 billion to the economy every year.
About the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) is the only trade association that exclusively represents the interests of the asphalt producer/contractor on the national level with Congress, government agencies, and other national trade and business organizations. NAPA supports an active research program designed to improve the quality of asphalt pavements and paving techniques used in the construction of roads, streets, highways, parking lots, airports, and environmental and recreational facilities. The association provides technical, educational, and marketing materials and information to its members; supplies product information to users and specifiers of paving materials; and conducts training courses. The association, which counts more than 1,200 companies as members, was founded in 1955.
About the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA)
NSSGA is the leading advocate for the aggregates industry. Its members – stone, sand and gravel producers and the equipment manufacturers and service providers who support them – produce the essential raw materials found in homes, buildings, roads, bridges and public works projects, NSSGA represents more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel produced annually in the United States. Learn more at https://www.nssga.org.
