Market conditions, exhibitor mobilization signal solid World of Concrete

Sources: Informa Exhibitions US, Irving, Texas; CP staff

World of Concrete is set for its largest staging in seven years with 1,400-plus suppliers, manufacturers and service providers exhibiting in more than 700,000 net square feet of indoor/outdoor space, February 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

New to the exhibit program is a Precast area focusing on technologies and equipment, including coring machines, pipe unloaders, forms, and above-grade or underground structures. It will join the show’s established product and action areas: Producer Center, a marketplace of materials, equipment, demos, and seminars; Material Handling, offering trucks, excavators and related iron for material delivery, distribution, concrete placement, and earth moving; World of Masonry, showcasing products, tools, information, and technology for block, brick and veneer stone professionals; Technology for Construction, featuring the newest products and tools for the commercial construction industry from top information technology and systems providers; and, Concrete Surfaces & Decorative, showcasing the popularity of decorative concrete for both commercial and residential applications.

The 2016 World of Concrete education program runs Monday, February 1 through Friday, February 5 and spans a full range of concrete material and practice topics; business management sessions; and, technician, equipment operator or trade certification offerings:

  • 90-minute seminars encompass Business Finance and Money Matters, Business Leadership & Management, General Business, Concrete 101, Engineering, Masonry, Residential Construction, Safety & Risk Management and Technical Updates tracks. New to this year’s offerings are “Precast Concrete Applications for Overcoming Challenges on Projects,” presented by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s Dean Frank; “Adding Water on Site: To Add or Not to Add?” from Portland Cement Association’s Michelle Wilson; “Masonry Mortar & Grout – Standards, Specs, Testing & Management,” from Bill Kjoritien; and, “Insulating Concrete Forms: Advanced Methods for Larger & More Complicated Projects,” from PCA’s Donn Thompson.
  • Three-hour seminars are scheduled in Fundamentals, Production, Repair, Floors & Slabs, Decorative and Business and Project Management tracks. Perennial offerings include Concrete Basics I & II and Concrete Mix Design I & II presented, respectively, by BASF/Master Builders veteran Terry Holland and Cornell Professor Ken Hover. New to the 2016 program is “Concrete Quality Control as a Profit Center,” from Command Alkon’s Jay Shilstone.
  • Five hands-on training sessions or labs, three-and-a-half to five hours, themed Surveying, Stamped Concrete, Concrete Fundamentals, Sustaining Concrete and Place & Finish Floors.
  • Four-hour seminars or exams involving American Concrete Institute, American Concrete Pumping Association, International Concrete Repair Institute and Tilt-Up Concrete Association certification programs.
  • Association & Industry Training from groups including American Concrete Pipe Association, offering Concrete Pipe Installation; Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, Concrete Paver Installer Course; PCI, Quality Control Technician/Inspector Certification and Certified Field Auditor Training & Certification; and, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, Articulating Boom Crane Operator Certification.

Full 2016 World of Concrete education, training and certification session, outdoor demonstration and exhibit hall schedules, plus registration, can be obtained at www.worldofconcrete.com.