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World of Concrete (WOC) 2024 turned the Las Vegas Convention Center into a dynamic forum, where handshakes, heavy machinery and new construction technologies interlocked to strengthen professional ties.
As a testament to the show’s 50th anniversary, nearly 60,000 registered professionals from various industry sectors met for three days of exhibition and four days of education, a 23% increase from 2023.
Over 1,400 leading companies and an all-time high of 185 education sessions highlighted the event’s continuing importance to the evolving industry landscape as a platform to develop, connect, explore and learn.
“Every year, World of Concrete serves as the cornerstone where concrete and masonry professionals exchange knowledge and hone skills that propel businesses forward. We are proud to host the global meeting point that resources the tradespeople who are building the future of America,” shares Jackie James, vice president of World of Concrete.
Overall, the show covered more than 700,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space, convened large crowds in bustling exhibit halls, packed competitions and at-capacity training sessions.
Over 450 international exhibitors from around the world, a milestone 325 first-time exhibitors, and well-known brand names like Liebherr, Hatz Americas, International Truck, Peterbilt, Mack Trucks, and Stihl comprised the tools, resources and tricks fueling the future of the trade.
Other crane-related exhibitors included DICA, Bigfoot Construction, Palfinger, Studson and more.
At the show, DICA launched MaxiTrack, a heavy-duty ground protection and site access mat for the North American market.
MaxiTrack is the access mat solution that can be deployed by hand for companies that need to provide temporary access for wheeled or tracked equipment weighing up to 150 tons.
Palfinger displayed its PK 53002 SH high performance knuckle boom crane.
In addition, Bigfoot exhibited an array of its American-made wood and custom composite outrigger pads.
Studson’s CEO Ryan Barnes was at the show and spoke to attendees about his company’s new SHK-1 full-brim ANSI Type II safety helmet, which was on display.
The full-brim helmet is the first of its kind in the Type II safety helmet category. It is designed to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), featuring technologies to absorb impacts from fall-related injuries on any jobsite.
When it comes to increasing visibility in the sector, new audiences and the incoming next generation of concrete professionals continue to be a focus for the show.
“We emphasize creating real-world scenarios, hands-on situations to try and test products and share expertise, which is what makes WOC so unique and our community so special. We look forward to continuing to share the latest and greatest in concrete and masonry for another 50 years to come,” said James.
Deemed the Super Bowl of Masonry, the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 Championship competition took place on Wednesday, Jan. 24, and gathered large audiences to watch enthusiastically as bricklayers from around the country competed for the grand prize after a series of annual regional events.
Winners of this year’s competition were Wisconsin duo Michael Schlund and Aaron Kowalski, laying an astounding 752 bricks in one hour to defend their title as the World’s Best Bricklayer for the second consecutive year, taking home a trophy, cash prizes and a brand-new Chevrolet truck.
Additional events included the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) live and silent auctions, raising a collective $1.8 million for the concrete industry management programs at five public universities, Chico State, Middle Tennessee, New Jersey’s Science & Technology, Texas State and South Dakota State, all of which offer four-year degrees in CIM.
World of Concrete will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 21-23, 2025.
