A conveyor belt comprising: belting (10,110,210) having a first end (12,112,212) and a second end (14,114,214), wherein the belting (10,110,210) has a thickness and wherein the belting (10,110,210) comprises: a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region (20,120,220) proximate the first end (12,112,212), wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first thickness; a second stepped region (22,122,222) proximate the second end (14,114,214), wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member (30,130) associated with at least one of the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222); and a first fastener (34,134) that extends through the first aperture (32,132) and the second aperture (32,132) to attach the first end (12,112,212) to the second end (14,114,214), wherein when the first end (12,112,217) is attached to the second end (14,114,214), characterized in that the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222) have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting (10,110,210), wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member (30,130) before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material. belting (10,110,210) having a first end (12,112,212) and a second end (14,114,214), wherein the belting (10,110,210) has a thickness and wherein the belting (10,110,210) comprises: a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region (20,120,220) proximate the first end (12,112,212), wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first thickness; a second stepped region (22,122,222) proximate the second end (14,114,214), wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member (30,130) associated with at least one of the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222); and a first fastener (34,134) that extends through the first aperture (32,132) and the second aperture (32,132) to attach the first end (12,112,212) to the second end (14,114,214), wherein when the first end (12,112,217) is attached to the second end (14,114,214), characterized in that the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222) have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting (10,110,210), wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member (30,130) before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material. a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region (20,120,220) proximate the first end (12,112,212), wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the first stepped region (20,120,220) has a first thickness; a second stepped region (22,122,222) proximate the second end (14,114,214), wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second aperture (32,132) formed therein and wherein the second stepped region (22,122,222) has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member (30,130) associated with at least one of the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222); and a first fastener (34,134) that extends through the first aperture (32,132) and the second aperture (32,132) to attach the first end (12,112,212) to the second end (14,114,214), wherein when the first end (12,112,217) is attached to the second end (14,114,214), characterized in that the first stepped region (20,120,220) and the second stepped region (22,122,222) have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting (10,110,210), wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member (30,130) before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material.