The second ConExpo-Con/Agg trade exhibit kicks off late next month in an expanded Las Vegas Convention Center. The scene will be bigger, grander and held against an even healthier economic backdrop than in 1996.

ConExpo-Con/Agg '96 marked the integration of ConExpo, which through 1993 had been held on six-year cycles under sponsorship of the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA), with the Concrete & Aggregates Show, which through 1994 had taken place on a two-year cycle under sponsorship of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and National Aggregates Association (NAA). The International Concrete & Aggregates Group (ICAG) represents the latter groups' interest in ConExpo-Con/Agg.

With over 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space, CIMA and ICAG-sponsored ConExpo-Con/Agg '99 will bring together contractors and materials producers at the largest exposition ever held in the Western Hemisphere for construction, aggregates and ready mixed concrete industry, show management reports. The event will feature over 1,300 exhibitors and 10,000 equipment units, products and service offerings. The show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a facility that has grown and evolved at a pace matched only by that of the surrounding Las Vegas metropolitan area.

The exhibition will run March 23-27, with exhibit hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. NRMCA is one of six leading industry associations to hold its annual convention during ConExpo-Con/Agg. The group will be based at Caesars Palace, with bureau and committee meetings and general sessions running from March 19-26. Production and practice seminars will be presented at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

Next month, Concrete Products will feature a floorplan of the exhibit areas and a round up of equipment & product introductions concrete producers can look for in Las Vegas. In advance of that, we sample association activities, seminars and other major events for producers to bear in mind as they map out their ConExpo-Con/Agg '99 agendas. Locations for all meetings are to be determined.

NRMCA Annual Convention The program will be centered around providing tools for the industry to recruit and retain a high quality workforce. A Ready Mixed Truck Driver summit is planed to launch a NRMCA Truck Driver Certification Program now under development, along with a national initiative to recruit drivers.

Background on these and other major NRMCA developments will be presented at the group's annual business session, Wednesday, March 24, 8 to 10 a.m. The meeting will take place in a Caesars Palace ballroom and include announcement of winners in NRMCA's Environmental Excellence, Fleet Graphics and Driver of the Year award programs, each of which Concrete Products cosponsors. The business session and most committee meetings - including Educational Activities; Government Affairs; Operations & Equipment Maintenance; Research , Engineering & Standards; Concrete Promotion and RMC 2000 - are open to registered convention delegates.

Panel discussions, seminars 21st Century Ready Mixed Concrete Operations. A historical perspective of where the industry has been and what lies ahead. The focus will be from an operational standpoint and include discussion on practices and innovations such as computerized dispatching, GPS, remote batching, slurry mixing, portable plants and plant layout and design. Attendees can learn about new innovations and technologies and how they can be used to increase quality and decrease costs. Moderated by Steve Thomas, Consumers Concrete, Kalamazoo, Mich., with panelists Jim Wagner, Command Data; Dennis Upchurch, RMC Industries; and Larry Heltzel, Helco. (Tuesday, March 23, 4:15-5:45 p.m.)

How to Handle an OSHA Inspection. Program will address how producers can approach OSHA compliance inspections, with overview from a safety and health consultant. It will include discussion of the most commonly cited hazards; methods of contesting citations and fines; and recent regulatory changes at OSHA. Participants can learn how to develop their own safety and health programs and reduce insurance costs. Presenter: Jack Raimondi, Tarmac America. (March 23, 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.)

Profit Driven Leadership. Examines how to design and build a company, department or team so that the same results can be achieved every time, without full time supervision. Participants can see how to become the manager as opposed to the "hands on," make every decision" type of supervisor. The program will also show how to focus on priority number one: Developing empowered, accountable staff whereby supervisors can replace themselves with systems that always translate to profits. Presenter: George Headley, Hard Hat Seminars. (Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Managing Fleet and Equipment Costs. Introduces and reviews successful approaches to equipment and fleet management that will assist participants in the effective control of operating costs. Work schedules, report analysis, and internal benchmarking will be presented in a format that allows participants to implement immediate steps to cost containment and improvements. Presenter: Marvin Psalmond, Transportation Consultants Inc. (March 24, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Finding and Keeping the Best People. With a shrinking labor force and increasing job turnover in today's market, how can producers compete for the most talented people? Why do some firms manage to keep the best people, even when demand for good people is high? This program will show how to improve odds of hiring the best and what to look for in the best. Presenter: Jerry Jackson, FMI Corp. (March 24, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

GPS Satellite Communications: On and Off the Job Site. Total management of vehicles and equipment is now made possible by advancements in satellite location and mobile data technology. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Low Earth Orbit Satellites provide supervisors and dispatchers with systems to interactively oversee and direct activity of remote equipment, capture operating and efficiency data for use in management and preventive maintenance applications. Presenters: John Kruse, IDA Corp.; Paul Hunter, Orb-Comm; and Tony Handsender, Trimble Navigation. (March 24, 2:30 to 4 p.m.)

Developing Effective Teams and Team Players. Participants can find out what defines an effective team player and how team players and teamwork can benefit an organization's bottom line. They can also discover their own team player style, ways of identifying four types of team players and learn new training exercises. Presenter: Glenn Parker, Consultant. (March 24, 2:30 to 4 p.m.) Marketing Architectural Concrete. Examines proven techniques for selling a name product application to architects, engineers and homeowners. Those presenting brief case studies of successful sales will include producers, flatwork contractors and admixture representatives who are distinguishing themselves in the marketplace with value-added architectural concrete. Moderator: Paul Muck, Concrete Consultant. (Thursday, March 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)

Using the Internet to Increase Your Project Effectiveness. An effective web site is one that connects people, not machines, organizers note. Participants can thus hear and see what companies in the construction industry are doing to become more productive and profitable. The program will show how to quickly and affordably leverage electronic assets by mapping existing technology and processes into a communications tool that will provide real cost savings. Presenter: Jonathan Antevy, MP Interactive. (March 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)

Emerging Trends in Oil Technology. This session will look at current trends in lubricant technology shaping the heavy-duty on/off highway commercial industry. It will include lubricant performance issues as they relate to exhaust gas emissions, new equipment technology, and design, latest OEM specifications, and environmental concerns. The program will look at how lubricants will meet future equipment needs and expectations. Presenter: Drew Nagle, Dryden Oil. (March 25, 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.)

Emerging Trends and Materials in Concrete Construction. Session will look to the future of concrete technology in North America by examining several case studies of worldwide advances and applications. Discussion will include high performance concrete, production methods and innovative material uses and site practice. Moderator: Wayne Lyons, Lafarge. (Friday, March 26, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Benchmarking for Ready Mixed Concrete Producers. Program developers note that in order for producers to look at the future, they must first know where they are today. Participants can learn to use various benchmarking tools effectively to set realistic goals for their companies. Some of the tools covered include the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's Industry Data Survey, Benchmarks to Productivity Guide and Safety Contest. Presenters: Bill Allen, Concrete Consultant; Dave Ferron, Lafarge/Tews Concrete; and Greg Vickers, NRMCA. (March 26, 2:30 to 4 p.m.)

Design and Maintenance of Conveyor Systems. Vertical, horizontal, inclined, and curved systems, along with proving conveyors are evolving. Participants can learn to identify update and replacement needs. Presenter: Thomas Wiegert, Calmat. (March 26, 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.)

Computer Systems for Aggregate and Ready Mixed Concrete Producers. Session will offer participants an opportunity to learn what systems are available for specific needs and how to best utilize them. Moderators: Scott Killough, JWS Corp.; Betty Gibbs, Consultant. (March 26, 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.)

Whitetopping and Fast Track Concrete Mixes. Session covers two of the hottest topics in concrete pavement. Participants can learn how many communities use standard Fast Track (a.k.a. high early strength) concrete mixes to handle traffic and access issues. Attendees will gain an understanding of how to design these mixes. The session also includes discussion about proper application of Ultra-thin Whitetopping and related jointing patterns, thickness design parameters and construction. Presenters: To be announced at show. (Saturday, March 27, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Maximizing Equipment Purchase Options. With help from equipment financing experts, session will show participants how to decide what is best for a company's bottom line by analyzing the pros and cons of various options, plus depreciation factors. Presenters: Arne Ruud, Al Johnson Construction; and Mark Killpack, CIT Group/Equipment Financing. (March 27, 7:30 to 9 a.m.)

Waste Management Practices for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry. Program will explore innovative ways to minimize waste on the plant site. Participants can hear from producers and admixture representatives about recycling settled and high solid content process and storm water; total water and solid waste containment; crushing hardened concrete for construction purposes; and the use of chemical stabilization to minimize waste generation. Presenters: Jeff Davis, Cadman Corp.; Scott Hammersley, Newington Concrete; Cliff Bocchicchio, Tarmac America; and Tarek Khan, Master Builders. (March 27, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)

Emerging Trends in Oil Analysis. Panel members will discuss oil analysis procedures and interpretation of results. Panelists: To be announced at show. (March 27, 9:30 to 11 a.m.)