Construction equipment manufacturers were pleased with the inaugural ConExpo Russia, held in Moscow Sept. 15-18, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. AEM said more than 50 percent of 2008 exhibit space has already been sold for the 2009 exposition.

The construction industry has been booming in Russia and ConExpo Russia 2008 was endorsed by a number of leading Russian contractor and manufacturer groups, including RADOR and the Russian Builders Union. It was also certified by the United States Department of Commerce as a premier international trade event. Department of Commerce offices around Russia and the former Soviet states recruited delegations to attend.

Show organizers reported that the inaugural ConExpo Russia exceeded expectations with more than 230 exhibitors using more than 34,330 net square meters of exhibit space. Participating exhibitors connected with customers from the Russian market and its neighbors. There were 6,000 registered attendees.