Convening at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 22–24, record attendance of more than 30,000 is expected from 15 countries across the world who will be strolling the aisles of more than 1200 exhibitors sprawled across the centre’s 600,000-square-foot show floor.

The event’s organiser, the National Mining Association, confirmed for International Longwall News that exhibition space was completely sold out.

“The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the few venues large enough to host the show – that’s why we’re there,” said NMA’s Corey Henry.

“Las Vegas has always proved to be an ideal location for the show and has never been a detriment to attendance. The show will garner significant attendance from all regions of the US and around the world.”

Location is not a factor for guests of the show, but the “always open” environment of Las Vegas helps attract industry professionals from across the globe to work and play, he said.

For those guests coming to the event for its educational opportunities, organisers have planned 20 technical sessions to be held the mornings of September 23 and 24 from 8am to 12.15pm each day onsite at the convention centre.

“The education sessions are included in the registration fee and professional development hours will be available to individuals attending each session,” the NMA said, adding that a keynote industry press conference has been scheduled to open the show.

The worldwide boom in demand for coal as well as minerals and mining equipment will be the topic for keynote speakers Jim Roberts of Foundation Coal, Bucyrus International president Tim Sullivan and Rio Tinto CEO Gary Goldberg.

Of course, the exhibition halls will be full of industry experts, suppliers and potential customers perusing the sea of vendor booths with products, services and demonstrations on display all three days.

Registration will kick off September 21, giving early arrivals an opportunity to sign in between 10am and 4pm.

After the show’s opening ceremony at 8.30am on September 22, the exhibit floor will be open from 9am to 5pm. Show hours are the same for the remaining two days.

Henry noted that the MINExpo show was a culmination of four years of hard work by the group’s staff to bring one of the industry’s highlight shows to fruition.

“Work on MINExpo 2008 began the day after the 2004 show concluded, and work on the 2012 show will begin the day after this year’s show,” Henry said.

“We expect this year’s show will be the largest we’ve ever held, due in large part to the surge in worldwide demand for coal, minerals and mining equipment.”