Much like some of you have an offseason for maintenance and forecasting followed by a heavy bid season and a busy working season, construction editors have a rhythm to their season, too.

Our year is measured by the trade show calendar.  

The groove usually begins with World of Concrete, AED, then The Rental Show, AEMP, perhaps Conexpo or Bauma depending on the year, then World of Asphalt or Utility Expo again depending on the year and wrapped up with Trimble Dimensions. Maybe there’s a MINExpo thrown in.

It’s not always exact, but it’s a time-honored rough order we have to dance to.

Now, the rhythm is changing with the addition of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (January 6-8).

In the last few years, this show has quietly gained a bit of a dirt focus as OEMs such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Doosan Bobcat, and Kubota have bought exhibit space and have wedged their way onto the CES dais with slick presentations.

Their ticket to ride? Autonomy and robotics, and everyone’s favorite acronym, AI.

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That’s enough to be seen with the Dell Technologies and Panasonics of the world.

For the 2026 show, we’ll be covering Bobcat and Kubota press events, a keynote and more from Caterpillar, and innovations from John Deere. And there will be much more to explore.

Though there is probably a little corporate narcissism involved (you won’t see any equipment buyers at this show), it’s more about image and letting the world know that your favorite OEMs are on top of the technology of the future.

And that they’re like CES favorites such as 3M and Siemens by association.

I’m a touch cynical perhaps, but if the CES exhibits and talks are any indication of future offerings that will make your fleet more efficient, Construction Equipment will keep it on the calendar and make sure the beat goes on.