CONEXPO:  MANITOWOC

Case Study: Elevated access viewing platforms, walkways, and heavy-duty platforms aplenty.

Big, Bold, and Reliable.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and Festival Grounds brought together some of the largest equipment displays in the industry and Smartstage was there to support the vision. For this year’s event, Smartstage partnered with multiple exhibitors to deliver custom structural solutions designed for elevated access systems, reinforced viewing platforms, and large-scale outdoor branding environments.

Elevated Walk-Arounds

Working alongside 3D Exhibits, Smartstage supported Manitowoc’s launch of a newly introduced drivable crane system. Transported directly from California, the equipment served as a centerpiece within the exhibit environment. The original booth concept called for separate ramps positioned on opposite sides of the machinery. During development, Smartstage proposed featuring a fully elevated bridge system spanning directly across the equipment itself. The elevated access structure reached approximately seven feet high and extended roughly ten feet across the display.

The revised layout improved attendee movement while creating a natural interaction space above the crane where conversations and demonstrations could take place. The final installation incorporated elevated viewing platforms, integrated stairs, reinforced access points, and custom-branded graphics throughout the structure. The elevated walkthrough system transformed the display into an interactive environment designed around visibility, movement, and attendee engagement. Attendees were able to move directly around and above the machinery through a controlled wrap-around access system that created elevated viewing opportunities not typically possible within a traditional trade show environment.

Reinforced Viewing Platforms

For MB Crusher, Smartstage developed a reinforced indoor viewing platform designed around oversized crushing equipment displayed inside the convention hall. The installation featured a C-shaped elevated platform with integrated stairs and guardrails that allowed attendees to move safely around the machinery while maintaining visibility from multiple viewing angles. The structure created a controlled interaction space around the equipment while supporting continuous traffic, product demonstrations, and attendee engagement throughout the event.

Outdoor Scale

Outside the convention halls, Smartstage supported multiple, heavy-duty exhibit environments designed around large equipment displays throughout the CONEXPO grounds. These outdoor installations required reinforced structural systems capable of handling oversized machinery, continuous attendee traffic, and changing outdoor conditions throughout the duration of the event.

One of the featured outdoor environments centered around a large crane display designed to showcase both scale and accessibility within the exhibit footprint. Indoor/outdoor, reinforced staging systems and integrated access structures helped create controlled viewing environments around the equipment while maintaining safe circulation across active outdoor exhibit areas.

Because of the size and weight of the machinery, the installation required durable structural support capable of performing reliably under continuous use and exposure to outdoor conditions. Additional outdoor access systems and viewing areas were integrated around heavy equipment demonstration spaces to support product showcases, attendee interaction, and exhibitor presentations throughout the event. Elevated access points and controlled circulation paths allowed attendees to engage directly with featured machinery while maintaining visibility and movement throughout the surrounding environment. These environments also created natural gathering areas for product discussions, demonstrations, and exhibitor interaction throughout the outdoor exhibit space.

One of the largest outdoor installations involved a high-visibility truss structure measuring approximately 100 feet long by 20 feet high. The system was designed to support oversized branded banner graphics visible from multiple directions across the outdoor exhibit grounds. Because of the scale of the installation and exposure to outdoor conditions, the structure incorporated six G-Blocks and six concrete ballast blocks to provide structural stability and wind resistance throughout the event.

The installation required coordinated deployment within an active outdoor construction environment while maintaining safe access around surrounding machinery displays and attendee pathways. Structural positioning, ballast placement, banner integration, and long-span alignment all needed to work within a compressed production schedule while supporting reliable performance throughout the show.

The combination of structural truss systems, reinforced staging components, and large-format graphics helped create outdoor exhibit environments capable of supporting both visibility and functionality at scale. Throughout the event, the installations stayed strong under sustained attendee traffic and changing weather conditions while offering visual presence across the CONEXPO grounds.

Solution.

Smartstage provided engineered structural systems designed for heavy equipment environments at CONEXPO 2026, including elevated walkthrough platforms, reinforced viewing systems, integrated ramps and stairs, and large-scale outdoor truss installations. Each structure was developed to support significant weight loads, continuous attendee traffic, branded graphics integration, and flexible installation requirements across both indoor and outdoor exhibit environments.

SMARTSTAGE DELIVERS

 Time and again, we've taken on complex and rewarding challenges on behalf of our clients and expanding family of event producers, activators, and brand management teams. No matter the challenge, with our team... you're in good company.