World of Concrete 2024 hosts almost 60,000 attendees for its 50th anniversary
World of Concrete (WOC) has concluded its 50th-anniversary show last week in Las Vegas. The 2024 edition gathered nearly 60,000 registered professionals from various industry sectors for three days of exhibition and four days of education, a 23 percent increase from 2023. Over 1,400 companies attended and an all-time high of 185 education sessions happened.
Over 450 international exhibitors from around the world and a milestone 325 first-time exhibitors attended the show. New audiences and the incoming next generation of concrete professionals continue to be a focus for increasing visibility in the sector.
"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. "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."
The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Championship competition took place during the show and gathered large audiences to watch as bricklayers competed for a grand prize after a series of annual regional events. Winners of this year's competition were Wisconsin duo Michael Schlund and tender 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 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. Auction items included a concrete mixer truck donated by Mack Trucks and Revolution Concrete Mixers; a Peterbilt and ConTech mixer truck; and a concrete pumper donated by Alliance Concrete Pumps and Pape Kenworth.
In honour of the 50th anniversary, World of Concrete donated 50 trees to the Las Vegas Tree Initiative. The ongoing program aims to lower the urban heat island effect that currently makes Las Vegas the fastest-warming city in the United States.
WOC also officiated a wedding ceremony this year at the main front entrance, celebrating the workers of this field.
