Located under WOC Interactive Workshops in the Education Program Schedule.

[THENA] Thursday, January 21 | 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM • $475; $490 after 12/11/2026

Join industry-leading experts for an immersive, learning experience designed specifically for engineers, architects, business owners, and concrete contractors who are responsible for the design, specification, construction, and performance of slabs-on-ground.

While traditional education teaches the design of structural slabs to meet building code requirements, the reality is that some of the most challenging and costly issues in construction occur where the code provides little guidance. This program bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world execution, delivering practical knowledge that directly impacts project success.

Throughout the session, you'll gain a deeper clarity of how to design and specify slabs-on-ground that are not only technically sound but also practical to construct, cost-effective to build, and capable of meeting owner expectations for appearance, performance, durability, and long-term serviceability.

Understand how to avoid common specification mistakes, identify details that create unnecessary risk, and understand the critical relationship between design decisions and construction outcomes. Contractors will gain valuable strategies for recognizing design deficiencies early, managing project risk, and protecting their businesses from being held accountable for issues caused by bad design, flawed specifications or unrealistic expectations.

Whether you're designing projects, reviewing specifications, managing construction operations, or investing in project outcomes, this session will provide actionable insights, proven best practices, and real-world solutions that can help reduce disputes, improve constructability, and deliver better-performing concrete slabs.

Leave with the knowledge and confidence to design, specify, build, and manage slabs-on-ground that meet the expectations of owners, designers, and contractors alike while avoiding the costly pitfalls that too often impact project success.

Speakers: Kim Basham, Jerry Holland, Bob Harris, Jeff Groom, Scott Tarr & Bryan Birdwell

Topics Covered:

• Soil Support Systems and Vapor Barriers [JH1] Retarders for Slabs-On-Ground – Jeffery Groom
• Types of Slabs and Thickness Design Methods – Scott Tarr
• Crack Control Options - Jointing, Reinforcing (Rebar, WWF & Fibers) – Jerry Holland
• Finishing Steps for Slabs-on Ground – Bryan Birdwell
• Specifications for Slabs-on-Ground – Bryan Birdwell & Jerry Holland
• Specifications for Architectural and Polished Floors – Bob Harris
• Questions/Answers with All Speakers

Continuing Education Hours: 4 AIA/CES LU, PDH, TCA, MCAA

Located under CONNECT WITH THE EXPERTS: Roundtable Discussions in the Education Program Schedule.

For a full description of all table topics offered, go to Connect with the Experts: Roundtable Discussions for full description of the table topics

[TUWRT] Tuesday, January 19 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM • $130; $150 after 12/11/2026

NEW! Expert Roundtables: Exclusive Access. Meaningful Conversations. Actionable Insights.

This year, we are launching an exclusive roundtable format designed to give you direct, close-up access to industry leaders & experts for personalized coaching and targeted problem-solving. This highly interactive and exclusive experience will give attendees unprecedented access to the people shaping today's conversations, innovations, and best practices. This is your opportunity to sit face-to-face with recognized experts and get high-level guidance and actionable advice on your specific challenges. No stage barriers. No scripted presentations. Just meaningful conversations, valuable insights, and authentic connections.

This exclusive session is strictly limited to 12 tables & topics, maximum of 9 attendees per table, ensuring every attendee has a genuine opportunity to participate and contribute.

Over the course of 90 minutes, attendees can select and rotate through 3 different expert-led discussions, spending approximately 30 minutes at each table. Explore topics that align with your interests, gain actionable advice, challenge assumptions, and build relationships with professionals you would seldom have this level of access to elsewhere.

Seats are limited, conversations are powerful, and the insights gained provide opportunities to transform the way you approach your work.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders in an open, engaging, and highly personalized setting.

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule.

[MBSTU] Tuesday, January 19 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM • $120; $135 after 12/11/2026

Presented by Master Builders Solutions

Questions should be directed to Jennifer.hamilton@masterbuilders.com

Sustainable Concrete as a Competitive Advantage: Leveraging low-carbon solutions, EPDs, and innovation to win projects and build lasting value

Key Topics

Turning Sustainability into a Business Advantage

• Why sustainability isn’t just about compliance — it’s now a differentiator in winning projects.
• Real examples of contractors and producers using sustainability to secure new business.

Forces Driving Low-Carbon Concrete Adoption

• Regulatory shifts away from the Federal Government.
• Increasing owner and specifier demand for greener building materials.
• Market pressures from architects, developers, and municipalities.

Practical Solutions that Lower Carbon Without Compromise

• How admixtures reduce CO2 while improving performance.
• Case studies that prove real-world impact.

Mastering EPDs as Both a Compliance Tool and Marketing Asset

• How to quickly generate project-specific EPDs and use them to demonstrate carbon reductions.
• Why EPDs are becoming the “nutritional label” of construction materials — and how to use them to stand out.

Digital Tools for Transparency and Competitiveness

• Using digital platforms to track, report, and communicate sustainability metrics.
• How digital reporting helps contractors and producers quantify value for owners.

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule

[SIKTU] Tuesday, January 19 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM • $125; $145 after 12/11/2026

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

How 3D printing is becoming more successful in commercial construction: Join roundtable discussions focused on advancing the scalability of 3D printing technology. 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

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule.

[ACAWE] Wednesday, January 20 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM • $135; $160 after 12/11/2026

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

Many challenges on concrete projects can be traced back to a misunderstanding of basic principles. This practical session, presented jointly by the American Cement Association (ACA) and the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), returns to the fundamentals that drive successful concrete construction.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how cement contributes to concrete performance, how mixture proportions influence fresh and hardened properties, and how construction practices, including curing, affect long-term durability and project outcomes. Through real-world examples and industry experience, presenters will bridge the gap between material science, specifications, and field applications, helping participants make informed decisions that improve quality, reduce risk, and provide performance.

Whether you are new to the concrete industry or an experienced professional looking to refresh your knowledge, this session provides a solid foundation for understanding today's concrete materials and construction practices.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Evaluate how fundamental concrete principles support the adoption of modern materials, sustainable practices, and innovative construction methods.
2. Recognize common construction practices that affect concrete quality, placement, finishing, curing, and long-term performance.
3. Identify and address common concrete problems using basic troubleshooting principles.
4. Improve communication and collaboration among material suppliers, designers, and contractors to support successful project outcomes.

Presenter: M. Wilson, ACA

Who Should Attend:

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

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule.

[FONWE] Wednesday, January 20 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM • $245; $285 after 12/11/2026

Presented by Fonte & Company

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

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule.

[SSSWE] Wednesday, January 20 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM • $125; $145 after 12/11/2026

Presented by Sika Corporation.

Questions should be directed to Eric Muench at muench.eric@us.sika.com

This session will explore the state of the art in waterproofing and weatherproofing throughout the entire building envelope and why waterproofing protection is so important. Several product and application areas will be included in the presentation.

Topics to be covered:

• Elastomeric joint sealants
• Expansion joints Waterproof traffic coatings membrane innovations
• Liquid applied below grade waterproofing Air barrier applications

Located under 2027 World of Concrete Industry Training Sessions in the Education Program Schedule.

[WACPWE] Wednesday, January 20 | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM • $109; $135 after12/11/2026

Presented by the Women’s Association of Concrete Professionals.

Questions should be directed to Lee Ann Harris at leeann@decorativeconcreteinstitute.com or Christi Tamayo at christi@selectsurfacesoln.com

The perfect mix of jobsite and genius -- see how practical AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are saving time, winning bids, and simplifying chaos.
This seminar will empower contractors and boost their confidence, while sharpening their competitive edge, helping them with a new dynamic look by blending intuition and innovation to lead the next era of building.

In this 3-hour, hands-on session, we’ll pull back the curtain and show you exactly how to use ChatGPT and Gemini to tackle the everyday headaches of bidding, running the field, and managing paperwork. You’ll see real examples, get copy-paste prompts, and even join in live demos where your messy ITBs and site notes turn into polished deliverables in seconds. Think of AI as your digital apprentice: fast, tireless, and ready to make you look sharp. By the end, you’ll have three clear, easy plays you can run every week to save time, win more work, and cut the stress out of the grind.

Learning Objectives:

• Build in 3 simple plays every contractor can run today
• Utilize 3 practical ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini in your subcontracting business
• Observe how AI can turn ITBs into checklists, RFIs (Request for Information), and bid-ready scopes
• Discover how AI can simplify daily reports, toolbox talks, and change order writeups
• Decode complex specs into straightforward checklist and submittal logs
• Walk away with ready-to-use prompts, templates, and live demos you can apply the same day 

Forget the sci-fi hype -- AI isn't here to replace subcontractors; it's here to make your life easier.

Presenter: Tim Kennady, CEO/CTO of XrQ Corporation