UPDATE 9:30 P.M.: A Volvo company spokesperson said since it announced its decision to withdraw from Conexpo-Con/Agg 2020 due to the coronavirus, Volvo CE has been working very closely with its partners at AEM to determine the best path forward.
At this point in preparations, it would not be possible for Volvo CE to remove the equipment and dismantle the booth before the show begins.
Instead, a small number of locally hired independent staff will remain on the site for the duration of the show and the booth will be ready for the show's opening on March 10.
Volvo CE said it is deeply appreciative of AEM’s collaboration in this difficult moment and recognizes the great value that the Conexpo-Con/Agg show brings to our industry and our customers every three years.
ORIGINAL STORY
One of the largest conventions of the year in Las Vegas is scheduled to happen next week and a major exhibitor has pulled out over coronavirus concerns.
Conexpo-Con/AGG is held every 3 years. It attracts people and companies involved in all segments of construction and ready-mixed concrete industries. The convention is also attended by government representatives and others.
LIST OF OTHER EVENTS AND THEIR STATUS
The 2017 show attracted 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 128,000 attendees.
Volvo Construction announced on their website on March 5 that they will not be attending the convention.
With California joining Washington State and Florida in declaring a state of emergency to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus Covid-19, all business areas within the Volvo Group have decided to withdraw from their participations in next week’s Conexpo exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. This includes all relevant Volvo business areas, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Penta, Volvo Financial Services, Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, SDLG and Terex Trucks.
“We are great supporters of Conexpo, and despite being in advanced preparations for this year’s event, we believe it is the right thing to do to withdraw at this late stage. Our first concern is the wellbeing of employees, customers and the wider public,’ said Melker Jernberg, Executive VP & President of Volvo CE.
“It’s very disappointing not to be attending, but our first priority is the health and safety of our employees and others. Given this, it is with reluctance that it has been decided not to participate in this year’s show.”
The convention is being held March 10-14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. At this time, representatives of Conexpo-Con/AGG have not responded to requests for information about other exhibitors or the convention itself.
Many other companies have already canceled planned events in Las Vegas.
