Thousands of visitors attended the Chicago Construction Expo and made the show one of the most successful in CEG Production’s history. Exhibitors from some of the leading dealers to manufacturers in the industry packed the convention center’s space with a host of iron and gadgets, which took place Jan. 9 and 10 inside the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill.

The January Chicago weather did not seem to faze the construction enthusiasts. Exhibitors were pleased by the turnout and how many visitors were interested in purchasing equipment.

“It’s been very well attended,” Eric Lunneborg, regional manager, Loegering Manufacturing, said. “I’ve been very happy with the event.”

Ed Steinmann, sales, Towmaster Trailers, added that he had not sat down on either day.

“It’s been going really well,” Steinmann said. “There has been a lot of interest in the small till trailer, which is a good thing.”

“It’s great to see the turnout, especially, by the contractors,” added Tom Stern, president of West Side Tractor Sales.

In addition to the extensive display of heavy equipment, long lines of fans waited patiently to meet Hall of Famer Dan Hampton. The former Chicago Bear’s defensive lineman met with every fan and even had time to visit a few exhibitors.

However, it was the Dodge Ram pick-up truck giveaway that became the event’s highlight. Ten finalists were each given a key to the vehicle. Only two keys opened the pick-up’s door and those keys ended up in the hands of Scott Christensen, president of DiPaolo Construction, Calumet Park, Ill., and Pete Martire, president of Globe Construction, Glenview, Ill. Eventually, Christensen walked away with the first prize.

Martire, picked the consolation prize of the Extreme root grapple from a choice of five buckets located at CID’s exhibition.

The eight remaining finalists received a Dan Hampton autographed football. Those winners included Brent Carpenter, Glenview Park District, Glenview, Ill.; Kevin Pagin, South Park Landscape, Griffith, Ind.; Dan Schuda, Lemont, Ill.; Brian Stapen, Concept Construction, Burr Ridge, Ill.; Rick Sharks, Sharks Excavating, Warrenton, Mo.; Gary Havlick, Village of Carol Stream, Rolling Meadows, Ill.; Ryan Guess, Don’s Foundation Repair, Wheatfield, Ind.; Travis Giese, Giese Enterprises, Alma Center, Wis.; and Jason Luchterhand, Giese Enterprises, Neillsville, Ill.

As the doors of the convention hall closed, visitors agreed that the Chicago Construction Expo was win-win for dealers, manufacturers, contractors and construction enthusiasts.

“We’re glad to be here and we look forward to doing this again next year,” Ray Roland, president of Roland Machinery, said.

CEG Productions is already in the planning stage to host a second Chicago Construction Expo. We look forward to seeing you there next year.

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