February's issue of Asphalt Contractor is full of some amazing articles! There are numerous forms of technology and/or software on the market, and more coming to market every month, that can improve different facets of your business, operations, and performance. In addition to the in-depth cover story specifically covering asphalt plant technology, there's a keen focus on emissions reduction. Experts from four major manufacturers of asphalt plant technology weigh in on what works to cut emissions and improve efficiency.
However, don't miss our features on utilizing tech to bridge the skills and talent gaps for your workforce, as well as our article outlining software to better manage you fleets and load tracking using real-time data. To round out the issue, there's a piece I'm really proud of, investigating one of many new federally funded projects that focus on the reconnection of communities once divided up by mid-century city planning and infrastructure. Such projects have a lot of potential to not only create new types of projects for contractors, but, also to see how powerful the road building work is for the people in these cities.
NAPA Annual and ConEXPO
I took on the role as editor of Asphalt Contractor only seven months ago, and since day one there has been talk about "ConEXPO", and it has continued to loom larger than life over the past half of a year. This year's trade show will undoubtedly be one for the history books, due to the fact that the last show was cut short by the pandemic, and everyone was sent home early. In-person events have steadily been coming back ever since, all the while ConEXPO has been in its normal cycle of off-years.
Advanced details about new and updated products from all the biggest names in the industry have been coming in. Those details will be made available in next month's big ConEXPO preview guide, along with a map layout for the booths, products, and demos you wont want to miss out on.
The 2023 ConEXPO will be the first one for several of our editorial team, and we've been in the trenches since late October, planning our team coverage well ahead of time, so that when the bell rings, we will be the number one stop for all the news you want and need. Whether or not you are able to be in Las Vegas this March, you'll be able to stay on top of the latest and greatest.
Not to mention that our parent company AC Business Media (ACBM), that houses all of the print magazine brands, as well as ForConstructionPros.com and IronPros.com, will have a booth of it's own! If you find yourself at the North Hall, come visit me and the rest of the ACBM team at booth #N12839. Myself and the other editors will be there from time-to-time when we aren't out covering the show for you!
However, for me, the first taste of the asphalt and roadbuilding side of the industry on a national scale will be the NAPA Annual at the start of February. The show is in Miami, FL. this year, and I'm very excited about the list of events scheduled during the 3 day gathering. Beyond the fact I'm from Ohio, getting to step out of the frigid heart of my state and into the balmy sands of South Beach, this will be my first time meeting personally with members the infrastructure and road building industry.
One of the biggest areas of journalistic interest for the year ahead lies in the federal and state level projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the updates on their effects and progress.
