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One of the most talked about and unmissable events in commercial construction – the World of Concrete — once again made a powerful return to Sin City in January, attracting nearly 58,000 industry professionals and showed that the sector’s growth is far from solidified.
The event featured an impressive 1,500 exhibitors, along with 180 educational sessions catering to both industry vets and newcomers. This year’s themes highlighted improvements in sustainability, efficiency and how to leverage current (and future) technology to enhance business strategies and operations.
“The show featured a greater emphasis on new technologies in concrete and masonry construction, including advancements in materials, automation and digital tools,” said Steven Pomerantz, the show’s senior marketing manager.
Paving the Way to Progress
There is little doubt that the U.S. construction market continues to face workforce challenges, as well as finding more efficient and sustainable ways to build, so it was the perfect venue to see new approaches and inroads being made in the field of automation.
The exhibit halls were filled with manufacturers and suppliers showcasing machinery, robotics and eco-friendly materials.
A major highlight was the showcase of concrete 3D printing, carbon capture for cement production and the latest advancements in robotic equipment designed to boost jobsite productivity and safety.
“This year’s show offered exhibitors that were focused on 3D printing, drones or artificial intelligence (AI) along with educational offerings geared to those topics,” said Pomerantz.
Innovative Solutions on Display
Bigfoot Construction Equipment showcased its custom composite and wood outrigger pads, cribbing, ground mats, wheel chocks, rigging gear and more.
The company unveiled its new interlocking stack pads, designed for customizable padding without added bulk. This feature allows operators to adjust the padding as needed, enhancing versatility on the jobsite.
Bigfoot also introduced the new leveling pad, featuring a stackable design with a leveling pad atop a standard pad. This configuration ensures safe and consistent machine leveling, regardless of the terrain.
Bigfoot Construction is the only manufacturer that offers outrigger pads in both black and safety orange, according to the company.
“While classic black remains a trusted choice, safety orange is a game changer for jobsites where high visibility is crucial,” said Eric Steiner, marketing director of Bigfoot.
“This bold color enhances awareness of the outrigger system, helping to prevent accidents and improve safety in high-traffic or low-light conditions.”
With a focus on reducing fatalities caused by vehicle incidents, Brigade’s latest technologies offer features that could change how construction fleets manage safety,
Brigade highlighted new products aimed at reducing construction-related fatalities, which have one of the highest work-related death rates.
The company’s new AI Distraction Camera, launched in February, analyzes driver behavior for signs of drowsiness, distraction or inattention and provides alerts for hazardous incidents. Additionally, the master document register AI cameras, featuring both driver-facing and forward-facing cameras, offer real-time collision warnings and monitor driver fatigue and risky behavior.
The White Sound BBS-TEK backup alarm and Backeye360AI systems were also on display. These safety technologies aim to address the risks posed by vehicle blind spots and improve safety in challenging construction environments. Brigade CEO Corey Heniser discussed these innovations with industry professionals at the event.
“We [always] look forward to returning to the World of Concrete to present our latest safety solutions for the construction industry and discuss with operators the best devices to meet and enhance their requirements,” said Heniser.
DICA, a family-owned company in ground protection and equipment support, showcased its latest solutions featuring its SteelTech dunnage system, FiberTech multi-pad system and LevelRight, all designed to enhance safety and productivity for concrete contractors.
The SteelTech dunnage system combines steel strength with engineered thermoplastic for stability and load distribution, supporting outrigger floats up to 21 inches with rated capacities from 60,000 pounds to 110,000 pounds. Its interlocking design enables easy storage and setup by one person.
The FiberTech multi-pad system, available in six configurations, supports Maximum Outrigger Forces from 60,000 pounds to 110,000 pounds. LevelRight offers adjustable leveling from 0 degrees to 10 degrees, a rated capacity of 350,000 pounds and a built-in bubble level for precise setup.
Liebherr’s concrete technology team exhibited at the event and presented the latest in concrete pumping technology, including the 38Z4 XXT truck mounted concrete pump and the THS 110 D-K crawler concrete pump.
The 38Z4 XXT features a four-part Z-fold boom for enhanced maneuverability, XXT outriggers for stability in tight spaces and the XXA stability assistance system. It also includes the powerbloc drive unit for efficient operation.
The THS 110 D-K crawler pump is designed for bored pile foundations, ensuring precise concrete placement alongside drilling rigs.
“World of Concrete is a premiere event for our industry,” said Guilherme Zurita, divisional director of concrete technology, Liebherr USA.
“We understand that it is the ideal platform for meeting key individuals, learning about the latest trends and news and most importantly, conducting business,” Zurita added.
As safety remains a top priority in the construction industry, another company is tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced on jobsites.
Vita Industrial made its debut showcasing the Vita Load Navigator (VLN), an intelligent lifting solution designed to enhance the safety, efficiency and precision of crane operations. The VLN connects below the hook of various crane types, allowing workers to maneuver loads accurately and safely, even in challenging conditions such as high winds.
Unlike traditional taglines, the VLN uses real-time data, collecting over 1,000 data points per second to maintain load stability and prevent spinning or rotation. Operators can control the load wirelessly from a safe distance, significantly reducing risks on jobsites.
The VLN’s versatility has led to its adoption in industries including vertical construction, renewable energy and oil and gas.
Special Events and Other Highlights
One of the biggest draws of this international conference is always the Spec Mix 500, and this year was no exception.
Twenty-seven masons from around the world competed for the title of 2025 SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 World Champion and a prize package worth $125,000, including a new 4x4 Chevrolet truck, a Kubota RTV-X1130 utility vehicle and an Essick Pro 12 mixer.
Mason Cole Stamper and tender Forest Stamper, brothers from Kentucky, took home the grand prize, with Darian Douthit crowned Top Craftsman.
In its ongoing effort to engage students, the Construction Industry Management (CIM) Auction featured both live and silent auctions, raising $2.15 million for the CIM initiative. This business-focused program offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management at five public universities: California State University, Chico; Middle Tennessee State University; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Texas State University; and South Dakota State University.
This commitment to education and workforce development was a key theme throughout the event, emphasizing the industry’s need for both transformation and skilled professionals.
“Our mission is to equip our community with the knowledge and skills to navigate new opportunities, challenges and changes in this rapidly evolving industry while preparing current leaders to recruit and nurture the next generation of talent,” said Jackie James, vice president, World of Concrete.
Save the Date
World of Concrete will return to Las Vegas Jan. 20-22, 2026, with educational sessions beginning Jan. 19.
