Built by LICA for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, the Earthmoving & Site Development Education Track showcases the innovations and best practices transforming the construction industry. With sessions on drones, mobile crushing, machine control, trench safety, dust management, and next-generation equipment, this track delivers actionable insight contractors can take straight back to the field.
Tuesday, March 3
New Technology in Site Preparation Will Speed Job Times & Increase Profits
Speakers: Grayson Edwards – Global CM LLC Stephen Moyna – Moyna Consulting
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
This session will highlight site preparation projects that in- corporate tractors and side dump trailers versus traditionally used scrapers and haul trucks. Our case study will show a decrease in operating and maintenance costs along with an increase in efficiency. In addition, specially trained scraper drivers are no longer needed to complete the job. The tires on the off-road trailers also allow for work in wetter or other harsh conditions.
How to Use Drones in Your Earthmoving Business –Practical Applications
Speakers: Zach Pieper - Quantum Land Design
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Quantum Land Design has been assisting civil contractors in the productive use of drones since 2016. This conversation is intended for contractors who are either considering or already using drones in their business. We’ll cover topics such as drone types, applications, flight planning, basic FAA requirements, data processing, and the information that can be derived from drone data. We will not go into depth on any specific drone or processing platform. The intent is to expand your knowledge base of this technology and it’s practical applications. There will be a strong focus on real-world applications that contractors have used to increase their profitability.
From Debris to Dollars: Crushing Startup Secrets Every Contractor Should Know
Speakers: Ron Garofalo - DAG Mobile Aggregate Recycling, John Griesham - JWG and CrushTex, Nick Hooper - Dependable Demolition, Josh Nobles – Puget Paving
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Thinking about getting into mobile crushing but not sure where to start? Join this contractor-led panel as we break down the essentials of launching your crushing operation the right way. Learn how to choose the right crusher, match it with the right support equipment, build the right crew, and manage materials like a pro. Whether you’re buying your first machine or quoting your first job, this session will help you start strong and avoid the mistakes that cost time and money.
In the Trenches: An Operator’s Perspective on Trench Safety
Speakers: Gary Lee James - CM Labs, Alex Parker – Parker Rock ‘N Dirt, Ashley Piccirilli – Pilot US Army Aviation
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
This session brings together safety experts, survivors, and industry leaders for a powerful and practical discussion on the critical importance of trench safety. Attendees will gain insights into soil classification and how it impacts trench stability; shoring systems and protective measures; OSHA standards and compliance requirements; and the roles and responsibilities of your crew. The session will feature recent data on trench collapse fatalities, impactful case studies, and survivor stories. We’ll conclude with an open conversation inviting attendees to reflect and share:
- Why do these accidents continue to happen?
- What can we do better as individuals and organizations? - How do we shift company culture to prioritize safety over speed?
Wednesday, March 4
Dumping the Dump Bed: ADTs That Do More
Speakers: Shaun Eidse - KA Group (K-Tec/Ashland)
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Each year, more than 4,000 new articulating dump trucks (ADTs) are sold globally, yet most are primarily used for basic dumping tasks. By rethinking the potential of these machines, contractors can maximize utilization, extend lifespan, and cut maintenance costs. Removing the dump bed and adding specialized attachments lets ADTs serve new roles such as ejector trucks, towing scrapers, hauling equipment, functioning as water wagons for jobsite upkeep, and more.
Turning Your Excavator Into the Ultimate Multipurpose Machine
Speakers: Chris Groll–Topcon Positioning Systems, Joe Mikos–RDO Equipment Company, Mark Stegall–Stegg Civil
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
In this session, we will discuss how the marriage of heavy iron, precision GPS technology, and tilt-rotation solutions has turned the bucket and stick of an excavator into a generator of masterpiece landscapes. While excavators have always been excellent multipurpose machines—from digging to being an extremely robust tool carrier for breakers and other attachments—there was always one task that operators universally brought in other equipment for: final grading. In this discussion, we will review:
- Technology advances that have made this combination of tools so powerful.
- Workflows for specific applications and how easy they are to implement into your day-to-day operations.
- Specific application best practices related to excavator and bucket types, precision construction needs, and tilt-rotation technology.
Moving Mountains: How Advanced Technology Is Powering 25 Million Cubic Yards of Earthworks for South Carolina’s New EV Plant
Speakers: Lamar Hester - Trimble Inc. Mike Marshall– Landmark Construction
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Upon project completion, nearly 25 million cubic yards of earth will be relocated to make way for a new electric vehicle plant in South Carolina. This session will feature the technology being used to make way for nine million square feet of building space, two roadways, and four ponds with dams to be constructed on the site. It will also discuss the ROI of the technology used, including the ability to move 100,000 to 120,000 cubic yards of material a day, 24/7 site connectivity, and taking the building modeling process from thousands of labor hours down to minutes.
Learning objectives:
- Learn insights from Landmark Construction Company on how technology helped them grow from a team of 45 to 650 to compete for projects of this scope and magnitude.
- Better understanding of the technology being used for accurate clearing and grubbing, precise grading, and erosion control to support underground utility and other infrastructure installation and building construction.
- Tips for integrating data with multiple contractors / solutions.
Thursday, March 5
Connected Machines: Precision GPS Solutions for Every Machine on the Jobsite
Speakers: Ron Schwieters - Komatsu
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
This session on connected machines focuses on the latest state of precision GPS offerings in the earthmoving con- struction segment. While long offered, today’s construction contractor has more choices than ever to adopt precision GPS solutions for every machine on the jobsite involved in earthmoving operations. Learning objectives include learning the latest trends in precision GPS technology adoption in the North American market; gaining knowledge of the benefit of adopting precision GPS solutions for every machine on the job site involved in earthmoving operations.
Learning objectives:
-Learn the latest trends in precision GPS technology adoption in the North American market.
-Gain knowledge of the benefit of adopting precision GPS solutions for expanding machine types.
-Understand the latest features and benefits of precision GPS on connected machines and the value to the jobsite.
Yes! Machine Control Is for Compact Equipment and Small Businesses, Too!
Speakers: Mark Jones – Topcon Positioning Systems, Alexa Roble-Kang – Topcon Positioning Systems
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Large, heavy equipment is cool, but compact equipment such as skid steers, CTLs, and mini excavators can be transformed into highly efficient precision solutions. Achieve more with fewer machines, improve quality and production, and open your business to new opportunities. In this session, you will learn about proven machine control solutions for compact equipment, transforming their deployment on the job site; easy ways to turn your skid steer and CTL into precise machines for all project phases; and technology options such as positioning sensors, intuitive software, and tilt rotators make a mini excavator the most essential machine on your job site.
Minimizing Crystalline Silica and Airborne Particulates Through Efficient Water Tank Usage
Speakers: Josh Swank – Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Crystalline silica and jobsite dust can create health concerns, reduce air quality, impact visibility, and even halt operations. Water trucks play an important role in minimizing exposure levels and dust on haul roads and stockpiles to keep the levels below MSHA and EPA thresholds. In this session, an expert from Philippi-Hagenbuch will describe water tank features that allow for efficient hauling and spraying, as well as those that improve hauling safety and simplify maintenance. Attendees will learn how these factors can maximize airborne particulate control efficiency at their construction site, quarry or mine.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the role water trucks play in minimizing dust on jobsites.
- Learn best practices for managing water distribution to minimize wasted water and lower fuel costs.
- Identify factors that improve water hauling safety and streamline maintenance.
- Recognize how water tanks integrate into a haul truck fleet and extend the life of existing trucks.