The Utility Expo 2027
Event Date
October 5–7, 2027
Location
Louisville, KY
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Utility Expo is a large biennial trade show that brings together utility professionals and the construction contractors who build and maintain critical infrastructure. Owned and produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the event is billed as the largest and fastest-growing trade show in the utility industry, spanning more than 32 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
The show targets professionals working across electric transmission and distribution, natural gas transmission and distribution, telecommunications, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, plus the contractors who deliver infrastructure engineering and construction services. Attendees come to see a broad range of construction and utility equipment demonstrated in job-like conditions, working at ground level, underground, and overhead.
Beyond the exhibit floor, the show combines hands-on equipment demonstrations, brand comparisons under one roof, networking with thousands of industry peers, and an education program led by industry experts covering the latest safety, regulatory, operational, and technological topics. For anyone connected to utility construction and maintenance, it offers a single destination to evaluate equipment, build connections, and stay current on industry trends.
Show Highlights
Key features of The Utility Expo include:
- Live equipment demonstrations — Hands-on demos of a broad range of construction and utility equipment, exhibited in job-like conditions so attendees can see machinery working at ground level, underground, and overhead.
- Demo equipment access — Attendees can climb in and test equipment before making a purchase decision.
- Brand comparison — All the major brands gathered in one place to compare options side by side.
- Education program — Sessions and workshops led by industry experts on the latest safety, regulatory, operational, and technological issues affecting the utility and construction industry.
- Field Classrooms and panel discussions — Real-world training scenarios with industry experts.
- Networking — Interactive sessions with manufacturers and networking events to build industry connections.
Featured exhibitors have included major equipment brands such as Altec, Bobcat, Caterpillar, CASE Construction Equipment, Ditch Witch, John Deere, Terex, United Rentals, Vermeer, and Versalift.
Attendance
According to figures published on the show's website, The Utility Expo features approximately 22,000+ attendees for networking and covers roughly 1.5 million square feet of products and services, with the show spanning more than 32 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits and demonstrations. The audience is made up of utility professionals and construction contractors working in electric transmission and distribution, natural gas transmission and distribution, telecommunications, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater.
Registration
Exhibitor and attendee registration is handled through the show's official registration provider. For the 2027 show, exhibitor badge registration is scheduled to open in 2027.
- Official registration provider: Maritz is the official registration provider for The Utility Expo, and is the only company authorized to sell registration, education, and lead retrieval for the show.
- Beware of unofficial offers: Show management does not sell or share attendee registration data. Attendee contact lists are never sold, and any company offering an attendee list is not authorized by show management.
- Exhibitor registration questions: Phone +1-864-342-6396 or email Theutilityexpo-exh@maritz.com (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm CT).
Prospective attendees can sign up for show alerts on the official website to be notified when registration opens.
History
The Utility Expo traces its roots to a field demonstration concept developed in 1964 to help solve an equipment evaluation and communications problem. In the summer of 1966, Illinois Bell invited 12 trencher manufacturers to demonstrate equipment in the same field on the same day, establishing the live, hands-on demonstration format that still defines the show today.
The event is owned and produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Formerly known as ICUEE (the International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition), it has grown into what organizers describe as the largest and fastest-growing trade show in the utility industry, now covering more than 32 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is The Utility Expo 2027 taking place?
The Utility Expo 2027 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 through Thursday, October 7, 2027, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky. Show hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday and Wednesday and 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM Thursday.
Who should attend The Utility Expo?
The show is designed for utility professionals and construction contractors working in electric transmission and distribution, natural gas transmission and distribution, telecommunications, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, as well as the contractors who provide infrastructure engineering and construction services.
What can attendees see and do at the show?
Attendees can experience hands-on demonstrations of a broad range of construction and utility equipment shown in job-like conditions, compare brands under one roof, network with thousands of industry peers, and attend an education program led by industry experts on the latest safety, regulatory, operational, and technological topics.
How do I register for The Utility Expo?
Registration is handled through Maritz, the show's official registration provider. Exhibitor badge registration for the 2027 show is set to open in 2027, and prospective attendees can sign up for show alerts on the official website to be notified when registration opens.
Where should I stay and how do I get to the venue?
The Kentucky Exposition Center sits directly next to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), about a 5-minute drive, with numerous airport-area hotels within a mile, such as the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center. The venue is just off I-65 at Exit 131B, and on-site parking is available.
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