World of Concrete cordially invites you to the prestigious 2026 Weatherton Paper Competition, a platform that not only showcases our industry's future leaders but also celebrates the transformative impact of the Concrete Industry Management degree program on their lives.

The competition features 15 exceptional students from the CIM programs at California State University – Chico, Middle Tennessee State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, South Dakota State University, and Texas State University.

Each presentation will reflect the presenter's experiences in research activities, internships, or capstone coursework and how lessons learned have influenced the upcoming career in the concrete industry.

In 2025, students presented papers  with titles as "Building my future with CIM, "What CIM Can Do for You", "My First Big Beam Experience,  "Constructing My Future," as well as several papers describing the students' experience in their  Concrete Industry Management Internships.

Following the presentations, you'll have an opportunity to network with these inspiring students, their faculty, and the members of the CIM National Steering Committee, fostering connections and potential new hires.

The event is open to all registered World of Concrete attendees & exhibitors.

Presentations Highlight CIM Goals
Attendees will also learn more about the Concrete Industry Management program, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree that offers a business-focused curriculum. This program not only fast-tracks students into their initial career opportunities within the concrete industry but also equips them with the skills and knowledge to make a significant impact. With more than 1,200 graduates currently employed in the concrete industry, many in key leadership positions, the program's transformative impact is undeniable.

Honoring an Industry Legend
World of Concrete established this award to honor the late 'Big Bob' Weatherton, a true industry legend. Weatherton, who passed away in 2016, was a key figure in the founding of World of Concrete and was named an industry legend in 2015. His revolutionary development of the articulating boom arm for concrete pumps transformed the concrete pumping industry. Weatherton's contributions continue to serve as a guiding light for all CIM students, inspiring them to make a significant impact in the industry and to always strive for excellence.

To learn more about the Concrete Industry Management Program and the list of past Weatherton Scholarship recipients, click here  Concrete Industry Management Degree.

In an era of unprecedented economic volatility, gain the strategic foresight your organization needs at our exclusive Economic Forecast Keynote. This is a unique opportunity to hear from our distinguished economists who will unveil critical market projections, emerging trends, and sector-specific insights that will reshape the concrete industry in the coming year. This data-driven presentation cuts through the noise of daily market fluctuations to reveal the fundamental forces driving long-term economic shifts—equipping you with the intelligence to position your organization ahead of the curve.

Discover how evolving monetary policies, global supply chain transformations, and shifting consumer behaviors will create both challenges and unprecedented opportunities for forward-thinking leaders. Our keynote speakers, industry experts with a proven track record of accurate forecasting, will guide you through this journey. Their insights have guided cement and concrete industry companies through previous market transitions, delivering actionable insights rather than abstract theories. You'll receive practical frameworks for translating complex economic indicators into strategic business decisions that drive competitive advantage.

Learning Objectives
Our presenters will offer practical information that will help business leaders translate economic forecast information into actionable business intelligence. This intelligence can drive strategic decisions and create competitive advantage, empowering you to lead your organization confidently into 2026

• Identify key economic indicators most relevant to your position in the concrete construction industry and learn how these forecasted trends could impact your strategic planning for the next fiscal year

• Evaluate the potential economic risks to your position in the concrete industry

• Recognize emerging market opportunities based on the economic forecast data, identifying at least one potential growth area for their organization and outlining preliminary steps to capitalize on these trends

• Learn how to incorporate economic forecast insights into your financial planning process by identifying specific adjustments to consider for their budgeting, investment decisions, or resource allocation in the coming period.

Panelists will be:
Ed Sullivan, Economist at The Sullivan Report
Pierre Villere, Senior Managing Partner, Allen-Villere Partners 

Step into the action at Epoxy Live!, an on-floor experience where design, performance, and craftsmanship come together in spectacular form. Hosted at World of Concrete 2026, this immersive demonstration zone showcases the artistry and innovation of resinous-based flooring systems—from metallic epoxy and simulated terrazzo to broadcast quartz, flake, and specialty rubber flooring. Throughout the week, Epoxy Live! visitors will witness expert applicators recreate student design team submissions into themed environments that celebrate both aesthetic creativity and technical excellence.

Tuesday – Thursday | One morning session and two afternoon sessions daily
Each demonstration runs approximately one hour, followed by interactive discussions and prep time between sessions. Visitors are encouraged to stop by throughout the day to watch the progress, ask questions, and see how resinous systems evolve from substrate to show-ready finish.

Tuesday, January 20

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

o  Systems: Submersible Rubberized Medium Texture Non-Skid Coating & Non-Slip Acrylic Coating

o  Products: Tuff Coat & Ramuc Acrylic Deck Coating (ADC) by MRT Products

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

o  System: Terrazzo-Inspired Seamless Epoxy Flooringo  Product: Increte Stone Craft Elegance by Euclid Chemical

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

o  Systems: Resin-Bound Permeable Paving & Polyurethane Floor Screed

o  Products: Pebbletone & AquaScreed by Optus Resin

Wednesday, January 21

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

o  APF Polymer Surfaces ColorChrome® Metallic Flooring System & Terrazzo Broadcast

o  Products: APS ColorChrome® Metallic & APS Terrazzo Polymer Flake

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

o  Systems: Simulated Terrazzo & Polyaspartic Coating

o  Products: Simerrazzo & Kinetic HS by Resinwerks

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

o  Systems: 1-Day Flake Floor, Quartz Broadcast, & Topcoat

o  Products: Citadel Performance Coatings

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

o  System: Trowel-Applied Rubberized Flooring

o  Products: Vulcan Surfacing

Thursday, January 22

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

o  System: Sherwin Williams Poly-Crete Urethane Cement with Decorative Vinyl Flake and Accelera Topcoat

o  Products: Hybri-Flex AC by Sherwin Williams

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

o  System: Seamless Elastomeric Flooring

o  Product: Sikafloor Comfortfloor by Sika

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

o  Systems: Broadcast Micro-Mineral & Synthetic Flake Coating

o  Products: Porviva

About the Student Design Competition

Epoxy Live! is part national student design competition and part live demonstration event celebrating creativity, material innovation, and craftsmanship in resinous flooring design. Guided by professional designers, each student design team develops a flooring concept for a themed space (think theme park store, children’s hospital hallways, or interactive splash-pads) from a variety of resinous flooring systems.

Students also partner with product manufacturers to expand their knowledge of real-world materials to design innovative and functional floors in real-world applications. Designs will be judged by their considerations of aesthetics, functionality, durability, and the incorporation of one of the Nine Pillars of Creative Design: balance, emphasis, movement, repetition, proportion, rhythm, variety, unity, or contrast.

Attendees are invited to return daily to see each project’s concept drawings, witness live recreations on the Epoxy Live! stage, and vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Hosted by World of Concrete and ASCC Concrete Polishing Council

Questions should be directed to seminars@worldofconcrete.com.

Polished Concrete Profitability: Strategies for Success

The Concrete Polishing Council (CPC) of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) is committed to supporting concrete floor polishing contractors. CPC provides a range of resources, including ASCC polishing-specific Position Statements, specifications, safety resources, seminars, webinars, online technical resources, and certification.

Concrete polishers are facing many challenges in their operations to provide a quality floor surface. These challenges include: how to polish when the mix contains Type IL Cement, how to maintain production rates when the concrete exhibits differential curing, and how to address an owner’s concern when F-Numbers deteriorate over time.

In this interactive industry event, you will learn from the polishing contractors who have used the resources provided by their CPC membership to develop and incorporate strategies that have increased margins, improved customer satisfaction, and grown their businesses when they have faced these and other challenges. Their expertise will guide you on leveraging these resources in your concrete polishing projects, ensuring greater profitability.

The learning objectives for this luncheon are:

·         Identify the methods needed to make changes to increase profitability

·         Strategizing for project success in today’s economy

·         Developing a successful business approach

Polishing Panelists:
John Haines, Hyde Concrete
Jameon Schwarz, Pro Concrete Design
Joe Dean, ICS, Inc.

SPONSORED BY:

Registration Fee: $140 by 12/12/25; $175 after 12/12/25

Questions should be directed to seminars@worldofconcrete.com.

Selecting the Proper Treatments for Slab Surfaces

For over a decade, World of Concrete attendees have gained valuable insights on improving concrete slab quality while boosting productivity through our annual luncheon and forum. Now, this knowledge is more crucial than ever.

The Challenge: Adapting to New Concrete Chemistry
The past three years have witnessed dramatic changes in concrete mix chemistry, creating significant challenges for contractors in selecting appropriate surface treatments. Today's professionals must navigate:

• Compatibility Issues - Not all treatments work effectively with modern concrete formulations or existing surface conditions
• Performance Trade-offs - Treatments excelling in chemical resistance may sacrifice abrasion resistance
• Maintenance Complexities - Some high-performance options require regular maintenance or reapplication, increasing long-term costs

Expert Guidance When You Need It Most

Join our panel of distinguished concrete contractors and industry experts as they share battle-tested insights on producing durable concrete slab surfaces in today's challenging environment. Their practical experience will guide you through matching the right approaches to your specific project requirements.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the pros and cons of applying silicates
• Determine the appropriate finishing technique when using aids or evaporator retardants
• Learn the best technique to avoid issues of poor adhesion of flooring materials to slabs

Concrete Slabs Panelists:

Chad White,  Structural Services Inc.

Bruce Gesick, Gesick Concrete

Bill Clyne, Fst Design Build Concrete Inc.

Sponsored By:

Registration Fee: $140 by 12/12/25; $175 after 12/12/25

Hosted by World of Concrete

Direct questions to Rick Yelton at rick.yelton@informa.com or 630-605-7203.

Using New Building Codes to Grow Your 3D Construction Printing Business

3D Construction Printing continues to grow in the residential and commercial marketplaces, offering exciting growth opportunities for businesses in the industry. The influx of new layering techniques, machine designs, and materials is rapidly transforming construction as we know it. When any innovation enters the market, adoption can be challenging, but the growth potential is immense.

2026 will be a banner year for this construction technique. The development, publication, and adoption of construction codes specifically for 3D printed buildings represents a crucial step in moving this technology from experimental to mainstream, potentially transforming residential construction in the coming years. These codes will standardize construction practices, inspections, and safety considerations for these structures.

This third edition of the 3-D Construction Printing Luncheon and Forum will focus on how printing companies can benefit from the code development process.

Contractors can benefit from code development, as these consensus documents will:

• Reduce uncertainty by providing clear guidelines for builders, developers, and local officials.
• Increase engineering and consumer confidence by building trust in the structural integrity and safety of 3D printed homes.
• Streamline Approvals: Create more efficient pathways for project approvals.
• Enable Innovation: Allow for continued technological advancement while maintaining safety standards.

The panel discussion will focus on three International Code Council (ICC) Initiatives.

• Appendix AW/BM to the International Residential Code (IRC): The ICC has introduced specific appendices to create widely adopted building codes that apply directly to 3D printed construction, incorporating standards like Underwriters Laboratories' UL 3401.
• ICC-ES AC509: This Acceptance Criteria for 3D Automated Construction Technology for 3D Concrete Walls provides a standardized framework for evaluating 3D printed walls, ensuring they meet minimum safety and performance requirements under the International Building Code (IBC) and IRC.
• ICC 1150 Standard: The development of the Automated Construction Technology for 3D Printing Walls Standard provides appropriate protections for health, safety, and welfare while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on new materials and technologies.

In this interactive, peer-to-peer environment, a panel of industry experts will discuss how construction printers, contractors, and developers should incorporate these new codes into their marketing and strategic development.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what Construction codes will be available in 2026.
• Determine which code is best for your region, your customer, and your operation.
• Learn how to become involved in the adoption of a 3-D construction code in your marketing area.

Come to the luncheon on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to actively participate, learn, ask questions, and get answers on the best steps for contractors to deliver high-quality slabs. This industry event is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and prepare for the future of 3D Construction Printing.

Panelists:

• Dr. Bora Gencturk,  Chair of the ICC 1150 Committee
• Dr. Shawn L. Platt,  Research Civil Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Register today to secure your place at this industry-defining event!

Sponsored By:

Registration Fee: $150 by 12/12/25; $165 after & onsite

Questions should be directed to seminars@worldofconcrete.com.

Join Rick Yelton, World of Concrete’s Editor at Large and Chair of ACI 120-History, on a visit to two of the world’s most famous concrete structures, the Hoover Dam and the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Rick will share behind-the-scenes information on how these concrete structures, built more than 50 years apart, contributed to the development of new standards in concrete construction in their era.

Attendees will participate in a brief orientation and concrete contractor-focused presentation in a meeting room at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The presentation will explain how concrete contractors met the common engineering challenges of building these iconic structures, including harsh conditions, crane work, concrete mix designs, and creating new approaches to accomplish these special projects.

Editorial Presentation will begin at: Sunday at noon in meeting room N109 on the lower level of the LVCC.  The Friday presentation begins at 8:30 a.m. in meeting room N109 on the lower level of the LVCC.  Enter Grand Lobby and walk straight ahead to the lower-level meeting rooms.  You must have your WOC badge and be scanned before entering the room.

There is no luggage storage on the bus…the Dam Authority doesn’t allow storage of luggage on the bus so you must store your luggage at your hotel or at the LVCC Fed Ex office located in the Grand Concourse corridor next to Security, which is located on the left side of the corridor on your way to N109. The hours are:  8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, January 23, and in the location by the Security office in the Grand Concourse corridor. Storage for each item is $10 per item.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as you will have an opportunity to walk up to the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge Observation Deck to view the bridge (weather permitting). It can be windy there as well.

There will be a boxed lunch provided on the tour and limited vegetarian options will also be available.

Please note: Price includes continental breakfast

NEW! WOC’s new Engineering: Designing for Constructability is geared towards engineers, architects, designers, and other professionals involved in the design and construction of concrete structures.

This morning session focuses on:

• Designing for constructability,
• Avoiding common pitfalls when designing slabs-on-ground,
• How to design fiber-reinforced slabs-on-ground.

You will expand your knowledge and stay current with upcoming industry trends. Enjoy breakfast, meet other professionals, hear industry experts, and earn continuing education hours to meet your license renewal requirements.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the benefits of concrete constructability.
2. List the ways to integrate constructability into your designs.
3. Recognize common pitfalls when designing slabs-on-ground.
4. Discover the engineering associated with designing fiber reinforced slabs.
5. Incorporate the latest engineering trends for constructability and reinforcing fibers into your designs.

Speakers: Kim Basham, Phil Diekemper, Cary Kopczynski, Matt Sheehan, Charles Nmai

LEARN MORE! 

NEW! New for 2026, WOC’s Workshop on collaboration between contractors and engineers focuses on improving concrete construction productivity.

Do not miss this opportunity to hear:

• How design, drawings, and specifications affect constructability
• Why constructability is so important for a successful project
• How to improve the efficiency of building concrete structures through design choices
• How to avoid design/construction conflicts that can lead to both costly modifications and repairs

Contractors, engineers, and other construction professionals should plan to attend this afternoon session.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe why collaboration between the contractor and designer can benefit all parties and the project.
2. Develop a positive relationship between the contractor and designer.
3. Recognize how specifications and drawings can impact construction productivity.
4. Create better design/build systems to benefit the project.
5. Discuss how to recognize and avoid costly design and construction conflicts.

Speakers: Kim Basham, Cary Kopczynski, Mike Hernandez, Bryan Birdwell

Continuing Education Hours: 3.0 AIA/CES LU|HSW, PDH, TCA

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Reasons contractors fail has been addressed for many years, but there is comparatively little information about why some contractors experience tremendous success and others, not so much. This new course is an in-depth look at top 10 reasons contractors succeed and the requisite factors which can be copied and emulated in any size construction organization. Presentation material comes from concrete subcontractor field & leadership experience, years of research, and close work with approximately 240 contractors in the U.S. and Canada.

Presenters:

Kevin Albanese, former CEO of J.J. Albanese Construction, Santa Clara, CA, a third-generation family concrete construction subcontractor providing demolition, grading & paving, shotcrete, site concrete and structural concrete-related services since 1955.
Wayne Rivers, co-founder and President of The Family Business Institute, a consulting business focusing on balancing interpersonal, operational, and financial issues experienced by family-owned closely held businesses.

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This special workshop has been developed by a heavy civil construction contractor with 22 years experience and a passion for building smooth concrete roads. All aspects of concrete pavements will be covered including design, phasing, bidding, mining aggregate, recycling concrete into aggregates, mix designs, paver setups, batching, hauling, slipform paving, and evaluating final smoothness profiles.

Workshop includes in-depth information on below topics:

• Aggregates, concrete mix designs, batch plants, and delivering uniform concrete to a pour
• Pavement designs, development of joint plans, subgrade process/problems/corrections
• Equipment, machinery, string lines, quality control measures
• Pavement finishes and textures
• Post-paving operations, sawing, sealing, cold weather protection
• International roughness index (IRI), analyze profilers, identify areas of concern
• Construction defects with associated repairs for each

Presented by Fonte and Company.

LEARN MORE!

Questions should be directed to jennifer.hamilton@mbcc-group.com.

Learn about reducing embodied carbon in concrete mixtures by 50% or more through advanced mixture optimization, minimizing concrete waste by extending its working time, or repurposing returned concrete for subsequent beneficial use, with documentation of the resulting sustainability benefits using Lifecycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

Presented by Master Builders Solutions.

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Presented by American Cement Association and the American Society of Concrete Contractors.

Questions should be directed to Michelle Wilson at mwilson@cement.org.

NEW for WOC 2026! This session provides a comprehensive overview of blended cements currently available for use in concrete, combining technical guidance with real-world applications. Attendees will gain insights into current cement types and specifications, practical approaches to trial batching and mixture optimization, and valuable lessons learned from large-scale construction projects.

The program begins with updates on blended cement standards and specifications, followed by strategies for trial batching and performance optimization in ready-mixed concrete. Case studies from major construction projects highlight practical challenges, solutions, and proven applications in the field. Interactive polling will engage participants throughout the session, gauging audience knowledge and experience. The program concludes with a moderated panel discussion featuring all presenters, offering an opportunity for deeper dialogue and audience-driven Q&A.

Presenters:  M. Wilson, ACA and M. Hernandez, ASCC

Panel Participants: (Contractor Participants TBD)

Key Topics:

· Innovative Materials and Methods: Review current blended cement types, specifications, and their impact on the properties of concrete.
· Performance Metrics: Explore best practices for trial batching and optimizing concrete mixtures with blended cements.
· Challenges and Solutions: Discuss experience and lessons learned from construction projects that can inform future use of blended cements.
· Project Profiles: Engage directly with experts on best practices when using blended cements through a moderated panel and audience Q&A.

Who Should Attend:

· Civil Engineers
· Construction Managers
· Material Producers
· Sustainability Experts
· Researchers and Academics
· Policy Makers
· Industry Stakeholders

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Don’t miss this critical session with Gary Gray, where he will reveal why Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are among the most strategic, tax-advantaged, and legacy-driven exit options available to today’s business owners. With clarity and insight, Gary will walk you through the seven high-impact benefits of an ESOP while cutting through the noise to debunk common misconceptions that often cloud this powerful strategy. Backed by compelling data and real-world studies, he’ll demonstrate how ESOPs not only build significant long-term wealth for employees but also protect and preserve the owner’s legacy for generations to come. Whether you’re exploring succession planning or simply want to better understand modern exit strategies, this is a session you can’t afford to miss.

Learning Objectives:

• 7 high impact benefits of an ESOP,
• Common misconceptions of this alternative exit strategy
• What's behind powerful , data backed studies that prove how ESOPs build wealth and preserve the shareholder’s legacy

Speaker: Gary Gray, Former ESOP CEO & Partner with Tenor ESOP Partners, the leader in construction company ESOP transactions

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Presented by Sika Corporation Presented by Sika Corporation.

Questions should be directed to Noah Callantine at callantine.noah@us.sika.com

In this session, innovations and optimizations of 3D concrete printing will be covered. The complete process for producing high-end structures from start to finish will be presented. Materials, processes, and equipment properties, are just some of the topics that will be discussed during this cutting edge presentation.

Topics of discussion:

• Equipment
• Materials
• Processes
• 3D Concrete Printed Structures

LEARN MORE!