SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — An annual trade show at the New York State Fairgrounds was in town from March 19th-March 20th.
The Hard Hat Expo has been a gathering for the construction community in the Eastern United States for over three decades. Starting in 1985, the Expo provides attendees with displays of new tools of the trade and networking opportunities for those in the manufacturing industry. More than 135 exhibitors come to the event from all sectors of the construction trade. While most exhibitors come from the Northeast region of the United States, there are exhibitors that travel all the way from Ontario, Canada and Florida, according to Lee Trade Shows Sales Manager Matt Stanley.
“We’ve really drawn quite an area, with Syracuse being the center point,” said Stanley.
The Fairgrounds provide a central location for exhibitors in the region while the exposition center gives exhibitors an “easy in, easy out” to set up and break down their exhibits, according to Stanley. While there are companies that come from different regions of the country (or even outside of the country), a majority of the sponsors for the event are located in the CNY region. Jeffrey C. Smith, owner of JC Smith, says the Expo is a great opportunity to get an “start up” for the season.
“We had our sales meetings last week, this week we get all our salesmen together, it gets them going for the season,” stated Smith.
Inside the Expo, dozens of brand new models for trackers, trucks, lawnmowers, etc. were out in the open for the public to take a look at. Companies had standard tables set up for those interested in job networking. Stanley said the event had a “positive vibe” this year. The attendance last year stood at 124 attendees. This year, attendees stood at 158, an increase of over 27%, according to Stanley. Stanley believes the event will grow even more next year.
“I think the signs are there that it’s going to grow again for 2026,” noted Stanley.
While most heads in CNY will turn to Micron Technologies’ semiconductor facility when it comes to manufacturing in the region, Stanley said he cannot comment on Micron’s role in the industry. However, Stanley does think there will be plenty of room for construction work that will help the manufacturing industry as a whole.
“I feel like every aspect of the industry that we serve will this show will feel [more construction for the industry],” stated Stanley.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Construction community comes together at the Hard Hat Expo
EDMISTON: For over three decades, the Hard Hat Expo has come to the New York State Fairgrounds to connect the manufacturing industry. Businesses mostly from the Northeast come gather to show their new tools of trade. Owner of JC Smith, Jeffrey C. Smith, was one of the first vendors at the Expo. He says the Expo provides a great opportunity for his company:
SMITH: We’ve hired some people who have come to our booth and say “hey, I’m looking for jobs,” and we get a lot of new customers every year. And they continue every year, they come and they get good deals, good bargains, on this day. Especially with all the tools, we move a lot of equipment.
EDMISTON: Hard Hat Expo sales manager Matt Stanley says Syracuse provides great accessibility for this region of the country.
STANLEY: Syracuse just works; we pull attendees from Ontario, Canada to Ohio, all of New England, we even have people come down south. It just works, and we see no reason whatsoever to ever change that, so Syracuse is our home for the Hard Hat Expo.
EDMISTON: Stanley says the vibes are good. The expo increased attendees by 27% from last year to this year, and it’ll be back again at this time in 2026. Evan Edmiston, NCC News.