LAS VEGAS — Highlighted by major new product introductions from a wide range of manufacturers, more than 100,000 people attended ConExpo-Con/Agg 2002 in Las Vegas March 19-23. More than 104,000 people had registered by the third day of the show and several thousand more were expected to arrive by the last day. An estimated 20 percent of the attendees were from outside the United States.

With such leading industry players as Caterpillar, Volvo, Case New Holland, Deere, JLG, Bobcat, JCB, Multiquip, Wacker, Kobelco, Allmand Bros., Ingersoll-Rand, Atlas Copco, Ammann, Vermeer, Cummins Engines and Compaction America — to name just a few — setting the pace with significant new product introductions, the atmosphere was one of contagious enthusiasm and a sense that the industry was beginning to turn a corner after the recession.