Concrete etouffee

Jan. 4, 2002

In a city known for its rich food, the menu in January will include various mixtures of concrete in addition to the regular favorites such as jambalaya and catfish. The World of Concrete will kick off the year at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The roster of seminars starts on Jan. 8. The exhibits open on the next day. All events wrap up on Jan. 12.

In a city known for its rich food, the menu in January will include various mixtures of concrete in addition to the regular favorites such as jambalaya and catfish. The World of Concrete will kick off the year at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The roster of seminars starts on Jan. 8. The exhibits open on the next day. All events wrap up on Jan. 12.

An average of 65,000 construction professionals from around the world attend the show every year, according to show management, and an average of 1,400 companies put their products on display.

The 2002 show includes a five-day, 85-session educational program, a four-day product showcase and three days of live-action Mega Demos. Seventeen of the educational seminars are new this year.

“Our audience is searching for new ideas and they look for programs that focus on jobsite applications. That’s why many of our topics start with ‘How to,’” said Susan Clancy, seminar director.

To be sure topics fit the needs of the show’s audience and reflect changes in the industry, topic sessions for each year are determined through feedback from past show-goers and input from industry sources. Clancy also seeks out ideas from speakers: “The speakers are so tuned in to the audience and the technology that they come up with very relevant suggestions.”

Trends in attendance show that safety is receiving more attention, said Clancy. “Stronger government regulations and an increasingly litigious society have put greater emphasis on safety. The pumping industry and the American Society of Concrete Contractors in particular have become more conscious of promoting safety.”

The show features a variety of other attractions.

A Producer Center focuses on helping plant managers, dispatchers, fleet managers and material suppliers stay on top of the latest equipment and technology.

For the second year, World of Ma-sonry will be held as a separate show connected to World of Concrete. World of Masonry, with 50,000 sq ft of exhibit space, features 10 specialized sessions targeted to the needs of masonry professionals.

Mega Demos offer visitors an opportunity to see the latest products and techniques in action in a simulated jobsite setting, according to show management.

Other featured areas offer opportunities to test and see new equipment and techniques in action. These include the Test Track, where show-goers can try out ready-mix trucks, excavators, loaders and more. In Concrete Alley, manufacturers use fresh concrete to demonstrate a variety of techniques and equipment. Action Exhibits offer the chance to try out small equipment and tools.

When the show goes marching out

This will be the last time World of Concrete visits New Orleans. The show is going on the road west, according to show manager Hanley-Wood Exhibitions, Addison, Ill.

“In each of the past three years, World of Concrete has experienced double-digit growth in exhibiting companies,” said Beth Gassen, show director.

Based on feedback from exhibitors and show-goers, Hanley-Wood decided to hold the show at a single venue. Post-show surveys strongly endorsed Las Vegas for its after-hours activities, its restaurants and its ability to handle such a large event.

“Las Vegas draws the best crowds,” Jonathan Omer, marketing manager for exhibitor Putzmeister America, told Hanley-Wood. “It gives exhibitors a better diversification of customers between domestic and international. The facility and the surrounding infrastructure make it easy for people coming into the show.”

The attendance figures confirm Omer’s statement, according to Hanley-Wood. In 27 years, World of Concrete has been held in Las Vegas 11 times. Ten of those shows have drawn record-breaking attendance.

The show previously rotated through Las Vegas in even-numbered years and Orlando or New Orleans in odd-numbered years. It will make one more round—New Orleans in 2002, Las Vegas in 2003 and Orlando in 2004—before settling in to Las Vegas for the future.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Powerful Concrete Protection For ANY Application

PoreShield protects concrete surfaces from water, deicing salts, oil and grease stains, and weather extremes. It's just as effective on major interstates as it is on backyard ...

Concrete Protection That’s Easy on the Environment and Tough to Beat

PoreShield's concrete penetration capabilities go just as deep as our American roots. PoreShield is a plant-based, eco-friendly alternative to solvent-based concrete sealers.

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.