Down to the details

Meiss will arrive in Las Vegas a month before Conexpo kicks off, but his work begins long before that. In his role, Meiss is responsible for scheduling and coordinating the arrival, storage and assembly of crawler cranes and deep foundation machines before the show begins. His experience working hand-in-hand with other product segments over the years has proved pivotal in ensuring the complex load-in and load-out process is executed without a hitch.

“Conexpo is just bigger than anything else in the Americas and the expectations as well as presentation of the equipment are higher than any other show,” he explained. “This adds pressure, but at the same time it is the show where we have the biggest team making things easier.”

Teamwork is essential to success, especially in complex operations like preparing heavy machinery for a show as large as Conexpo. Assisted with a small crew of four arriving in Las Vegas in the second week of January, Meiss works with them to confirm every detail is addressed before move-in.

Their coordinated efforts include inspecting and repairing any potential damage from transport, sorting product attachments that will be installed on the machines and developing a strategic load-out plan to streamline the move. Each task relies on clear communication, shared responsibility, and mutual support, the hallmarks of an effective team that drives smooth execution and a successful show.

With a strong team beside him, Meiss takes care to anticipate the challenges for him and his team throughout the coming show. He pointed out, “this year is particularly demanding as we have two outside exhibition areas at both the festival grounds and platinum lot. This means that for the last two weeks of assembly, our team will have to split up and managing both will be a challenge I am looking forward to.”

When facing challenges like working with heavy machinery and preparing it for exhibition, being detail-oriented is not just beneficial, it’s essential. Precision in scheduling the order of arrival guarantees that each product is positioned correctly and efficiently, while close coordination with colleagues from other product segments helps to optimize Liebherr’s shared yard space and maintain safety during assembly.

Every step demands attention to detail to prevent delays, avoid hazards, and present the machinery at its best. Meiss noted, “there certainly are a lot of moving parts on such a project, but with our team and network of trucking, crane companies and booth builders, we support one another to achieve our goals.”

There’s a unique sense of pride that comes from watching months of planning, coordination, and grit culminate into a flawless trade show experience. At Conexpo, the most rewarding moment for Meiss is standing in front of the completed booth, seeing the machines gleam under the lights, and hearing visitors ask, “How did you get this machine here?”

It’s in those moments that the months of hard work feel truly worthwhile. He described that his favorite memory is “when all the booms are in the air and the Liebherr logo of the final drive is a perfect horizontal line.” To him, this image serves as a perfect representation of the dependable engineering and extensive teamwork required to make the show a success.

Looking ahead to 2026, Meiss is especially excited to showcase the LR 1400.1 crawler crane with the derrick attachment along with the LRB 19 piling and drilling rig. These milestones represent not just innovation, but the continued evolution of what everyone at Liebherr can achieve together.