For the first time in two years, the annual World of Concrete (WOC) show is returning to its usual January time slot at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with events taking place from Monday through Thursday (Jan. 17-20). The 2021 show was delayed from January to July on account of COVID-19, and it was somewhat smaller than the usual grand version.
WOC is described by event organizers as the industry’s only annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. Its stated mission is to provide products, resources, and valuable information that attendees can use to strengthen their business. The event includes both an education program and exhibit hall.
Attendees must register online prior to WOC 2022, as there will be no on-site registration.
Demographic Breakdown
The event usually attracts approximately 1,500 exhibiting companies and over 60,000 industry professionals, and it occupies more than 700,000 square feet (65,032.1 m2) of indoor and outdoor exhibit space. The conference offers numerous networking and educational opportunities ranging from technical training sessions on the latest construction and worksite techniques to professional development workshops focused on business and management.
Attendees represent all segments of the construction industry. According to WOC, this includes commercial contractors; concrete pumpers; construction managers; dealers/distributors; decorative concrete contractors; designers and specifiers; general contractors; block/segmental unit products; masonry contractors; architects; engineers; block producers; ready mix producers; rental equipment centers; repair contractors; residential contractors; specialty concrete contractors; precast; pipe and block producers; precast/prestressed producers; and more.
WOC 2022 Event Highlights
Education events run from Monday through Thursday, while the exhibit hall is open from Tuesday through Thursday. The complete list of exhibitors and booth locations, which is being continually updated to account for any late changes, is available here.
CoatingsPro Magazine will be operating its usual booth at C5207, with plenty of magazines and swag giveaways for attendees who stop by. CoatingsPro will also publish live event coverage through our social media channels and website.
Beyond exhibit booths and education sessions, WOC 2022 will feature a series of special forums and panel discussions for attendees. These include:
- Women in Construction Panel Discussion & Open Forum (Tuesday, Jan. 18: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Room W224)
In this forum, a distinguished panel of successful women in the concrete and construction industries will share their history, perspectives, challenges, and growth experiences in a male-dominated industry. This Tuesday afternoon special event includes snacks, inspirations, and networking opportunities.
- Concrete Polishing Luncheon & Forum (Tuesday, Jan. 18: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room N247)
Panelists will relate how attendees can benefit by adopting the best practices including polisher certification, pre-construction conferences, mock-ups, testing, and quality assurance acceptance.
The panel will explain how contractors can help guide specifiers towards the finished look their clients desire while managing expectations. The panel will also discuss how to avoid any contradictions that can arise when the specification is included in the contract documents. By paying attention to important contract details, such as which QC tests will be used, material selection, polishing procedures, and protection requirements, you can be in control of your project from start to finish.
- Quality in Concrete Slabs Luncheon & Forum (Wednesday, Jan. 19: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room N247)
What are the characteristics of a concrete slab that can get a contractor in trouble? Some of the most common include variations in thickness, excess moisture, and high sulfate soils. At this session, industry experts will discuss solutions to these and other issues with slabs on ground.
- Specialty Construction Distributors Luncheon & Forum (Thursday, Jan. 20: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room N247)
Listen to a panel of speakers up and down the supply chain explain how distributors have worked with specifiers, owners, and contractors to solve some of the industry most complex challenges. Along the way, attendees can potentially pick up some of the best practices they are using in these trying times.
Panelists will relate how attendees can benefit by adopting the best practices including polisher certification, pre-construction conferences, mock-ups, testing, and quality assurance acceptance.
The complete list of events and activities is available at the WOC website.
COVID-19 Considerations
World of Concrete 2022 plans to follow all local health guidelines, including Nevada’s mandate for masks to be worn in all public places, regardless of vaccination status. The rule applies indoors only, and includes all casinos, meeting spaces, and convention centers, as well as restaurants/bars in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.
“Masking is an important tool to help provide a safer environment during this current surge of Omicron, and we appreciate all WOC 2022 participants complying with this state mandate for the benefit of all who enjoy coming to WOC this and every year,” event organizers write. “Additionally, we will have hand sanitizing stations throughout the venue, as well as an enhanced sanitation schedule, and widened aisles to promote social distancing.”
World of Concrete says it is in close partnership and communication with the City of Las Vegas and local health officials for their expertise and guidance, and will continue to keep attendees updated on any changes to the health and safety program moving forward.
For more information, contact: WOC, (866) 860-1983, www.worldofconcrete.com