2011 Speaker & Topic Proposals

We have finalized the speaker & topic selections for our 2010 WOC Education Program. However, interested speakers may submit a topic for consideration for the 2011 show being held January 18-21, 2011 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Dates: January 17-21, 2011
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
Audience: General Building Contractors, Concrete Contractors, Concrete Producers, Masonry Contractors, Decorative Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Designers, Owners, Project Managers, Field Personnel
Courses: Approximately 60 sessions in 3 hour blocks plus 50 sessions in 90 minute blocks
Deadline: Complete the electronic Submission Form and submit by April 9, 2010

3-Hour Educational Tracks include (target audience field personnel):

Concrete Fundamentals
Concrete Floors and Slabs
Masonry
Residential Concrete
Concrete Production
Business & Project Management
Decorative Concrete
Concrete Repair
Certification Training

90-Minute Educational Tracks include (target audience senior management):

Finance & Money Matters
Job costing, accounting, estimating strategies, retirement planning, financial reports, health care costs, mark up and profit, cash flow management.

General Business
Business "best practices," sales/marketing, client relationships, strategic planning, understanding the competition, customer relations, selling skills, branding and marketing essentials, negotiating skills.

Leadership & Management
Leadership/management skills, field management, productivity, lost time to productive time, job leadership, team problem solving, communication skills, cross-cultural management, women in construction.

Legal / HR
Human resources, workers compensation, hiring/firing, contracts, liabilities, legal issues in the workplace.

Safety & Risk Management
Safety procedures, fall protection, crisis management, insurance, OSHA, investigations.

Technical Updates
Techniques, product & industry trends, design theory/analysis, lessons learned in the field.

Technology for Construction
Project management software, estimating software, problem solving with web systems, document control systems, jobsite planning, job cost, automating tools, construction accounting software.

Green Building
Green building, sustainable design, processes and products, LEED.

WOC organizers are looking for:

Un-biased well-defined programs
Information that can be immediately implemented in the workplace
How-to classes that stimulate and provide attendees with a new skill, technology or process
Business management best practices
Presenters with strong speaking experience and in-depth knowledge of proposed topic
Product pitches and niche focused topics relevant to a small audience will NOT be accepted.

Education Advisory Committee will review the proposed topics based on the criteria listed above. Final acceptance will be based on (but not limited to) the course's ability to meet submission criteria, overall program/track specification and industry need. All approved courses will be submitted for continuing education and will therefore require syllabus handouts for attendees. Presenters are also required to provide a copy of the presentation prior to the show to conference managers. Please note that speakers employed by vendors must be exhibitors in the show to be considered for a presentation. Forward any questions and your Submission Form by April 9, 2010 to Bonnie King, Senior Conference Manager.
(Production Schedule: The education program will be finalized by June - all speakers will be notified of decisions by July - speaker agreements will be due in August and attendee handout materials need to be submitted October-November).