LAS VEGAS — Informa Markets’ World of Concrete (WOC) will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Jan. 17-19, with its education day taking place on Jan. 16 and new features at the 49th edition of the show.
The 2023 edition is expected to be larger than the 2021 and 2022 editions, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 575,000 net square feet of indoor and outdoor space being used.
Sustainability is a large focus for the 2023 edition of WOC, with exhibiting companies sharing past results as well as future endeavors that demonstrate strong sustainability commitments and implementation of best practices in the industry.
“The WOC recognizes its unique position to promote underutilized markets,” Informa Markets’ SVP of Construction Kevin Thornton said. “It is our priority to offer opportunities for future concrete professionals to access education through accredited industry management programs, professional associations directly serving equality and diversity in the workforce, as well as sustainability efforts. WOC celebrates progress in the business while also providing a platform to discuss and train on the critical topics of tomorrow.”
New to WOC in 2023 is the Work Truck Live! interactive program, presented by Modern WorkTruck Solutions, which allows visitors to see work trucks and accessories in a space dedicated to showing the innovation and evolution of the trucking market.
The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Pavilion is also new at the show this year. The AAC Pavilion will be in the North Hall of the LVCC and will focus on the increase in aerated materials, which has been reducing the cost for steel and cement. The pavilion will also feature international experts to give production plant solutions.
The Women’s Association of Concrete Professionals will host its second all-women panel at the show. The panel will address the trends in the concrete and construction industries, along with obstacles and successes seen in the field. According to The Washington Post in 2022, women made up 14% of the construction industry, and that number is expected to continue growing steadily.
This year will also see the launch of The Innovative Products Awards, which allows companies to showcase their groundbreaking products at the large industry event in front of other industry professionals, while receiving feedback.
The WOC Education Program has 164 sessions scheduled that will address industry issues and some technical classes focused on mass concrete placement, pavement design and 3D printing in concrete construction among other topics. New to WOC will be eight seminars presented in Spanish that were developed by professionals and associations working with and for the growing number of Hispanic contractors in the U.S. and abroad.
Over the last year, the WOC team worked on its education program to attract a diverse group of existing and new exhibitors and develop new pavilions, areas and events to address emerging sectors of the industry. The team also renewed promotional efforts with Canadian audiences that hadn’t been able to travel easily over the last two years, along with international visitors and delegations around the world.
“WOC is one of the major sources of growth for the concrete and masonry industries as the global community continues to seek what is to come in production, materials and market trends,” WOC Vice President Jackie James said. “This year welcomes an intentional range of new initiatives bringing to the forefront advancements in material ingenuity, growth of the trucking sector and recognized areas of continuing community impact.”
Reach Jackie James at Jackie.James@informa.com; Kevin Thornton at (817) 343-1549 or kevin.thornton@informa.com
