Rain and a little mud notwithstanding, this year’s show was a success.
Despite fears by many that last week’s ICUEE 2009 would suffer the effects of a continuing sour economy, the event seems to have been a winner for attendees and exhibitors alike. For starters, the 16,500 attendees made it the second largest turnout in show history, an unexpected bonanza for the show’s 780 exhibitors. Adding to the show’s attractions this year were the co-location of the inaugural H2O-XPO of the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) and the iP Safety Conference and Expo (safety and training) and the IUV Technology Conference (design and engineering). Despite a little spritzing on the opening day (Tuesday), the heavy rains held off until two hours before the end of the show on Thursday that presented the outside exhibitors with the grim prospect of tearing down and moving out in a venue better suited for mud wrestling than mount-out, but leaving attendees (who could enjoy the sanctuary of the indoor exhibits) relatively unscathed.
Along with a wide assortment of drilling and boring equipment were an equal number of trenching and shoring products that kept my attention for a good part of the show, and while I didn’t run into anything earth shattering in way of heavy construction equipment, there were a number of interesting exhibits in the subsystem realm.
I spoke with a number of exhibitors who felt that despite the business climate, the attendees they dealt with were upbeat…and there to do business.
Did you attend ICUEE? If so, what was your experience?