News and Press
World of Concrete 2006 Breaks Both Exhibit & Registration Records in Las Vegas!
Dallas, Texas (January 25, 2006) -- World of Concrete shattered all previous registration and exhibit space records with the 2006 show. With more than 1,800 exhibitors occupying over 800,000 net square feet, and registrants in excess of 80,000, approximately 15% higher than 2005, WOC 2006 was the largest show in its 32-year history.
As part of the record-breaking celebration, the 80,000th person to register onsite, Lance Byington of All-Pro Concrete Pumping, won a trip to World of Concrete 2007 including hotel, air and much more. "What can be better than winning a trip back to World of Concrete! This is so cool!" exclaimed the happy winner.
As the only annual international tradeshow dedicated to the commercial construction industry, World of Concrete provided an endless show floor full of the latest technologies being utilized today along with providing attendees the chance to meet directly with the leading suppliers to the concrete and masonry industries.
In this 33rd edition, World of Concrete offered a wide variety of attractions, competitions and special events to keep everyone busy during its 5-day run. This year, WOC occupied an additional outdoor parking lot, almost doubling the outdoor area. Returning outdoor favorites such as the Mega Demos, The Producer's Challenge, The Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 Competition, and Artistry in Decorative Concrete kept the crowds captivated along with new editions including the Mack Truck Ready Mix Skills Driving Competition, the OPCMIA Apprenticeship Competition, John Deere Load America Competition and the JLG Telehandler Competition.
To capture the excitement of the event, CBS News Sunday Morning, with Correspondent Bill Geist, filmed a feature story about World of Concrete that aired nationally on Sunday, January 22.
"I am extremely pleased with the results of the 2006 show. It is very exciting to have made history with this event in terms of size and volume and the future of this show is going to be incredible. With the outdoor areas growing, and the show becoming more diversified each year, it is a very exciting time for us at World of Concrete," stated Tom Cindric, Show Director.
World of Concrete once again confirmed the high-quality of the seminar program by selling out most sessions. This year, WOC offered over 50% brand new topics for attendees to enjoy.
Along with the renowned educational program, the show floor offered endless opportunities for attendees to meet with exhibitors and create new business relationships.
"I have been hearing about this show for years and finally had the chance to come. It has exceeded all of my expectations. The amount of product here is amazing. Anybody and everybody in the industry is here. You can find absolutely everything you need in one spot!" stated Mike Van Haren of Van Haren Construction, Faribault, MN.
"I am absolutely finding everything I need. In fact - I am finding more than I need. I have been coming here for 18 years, and I don't go to any other show." said John Linsey of Van Laan Construction Supply, Dutton, MI.
"I am finding everything I need here. My customers told me I need to come to this show and it has well exceeded my expectations in terms of products and new leads. This isn't just a concrete show. This is a building show. It is really amazing!" exclaimed Roland Matthers of Ultra Additives, LLC, Greensboro, NC.
Exhibitors were also extremely pleased with this record breaking show and the business they were able to generate onsite.
"We have exhibited here for many years and the traffic was excellent as always. We have made many quality contacts during this show," stated exhibitor Ken Shawler of Trimble.
"WOC is always excellent for us and this was no exception. Consistent traffic and quality leads are what we get every year here," noted Amy Flanagan of Blastrac SawTec.
"Traffic has been great and we couldn't be happier. We have generated a lot of interest in our new product lines by exhibiting here at WOC," said Will Haraway of The Quickcrete Companies.
This year, World of Concrete was proud to have been selected to participate in the 2006 International Buyer Program. As a member of the 2006 IBP, World of Concrete Management and the U.S. Commercial Service worked closely in the global promotion of the 2006 show bringing international buyers and exhibitors together to expand business both domestically and overseas. As part of the program, more than 30 delegations from more than 125 countries attended World of Concrete and had the opportunity to network with other international visitors as well as connect with US exhibitors interested in exporting goods and services.
"WOC 2006 has been a resounding success! It's been a great venue for the Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce to offer assistance to exhibitors and visitors attending the show. We supported hundreds of delegates throughout the show," said Joe Ruland of the Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"I made a large amount of contacts and it has been an overall great experience. I plan to return again next year," stated international attendee Goppeenathan P. Chirukandoth of Kuwait.
"I am here with a delegation of over 120 members and we have been very satisfied with World of Concrete. There has been much to learn and we are making many business contacts," said delegation leader Young Wan Park of Korea.
World of Concrete has been selected once again to be part of the IBP Program for World of Concrete 2007.
For the first time, Concrete Construction and The Concrete Producer Magazines hosted the first Women in Concrete luncheon and forum. This sold-out event was designed to bring together women working in the concrete construction industry to network, learn and identify issues important to them. The three speakers at the event were Joan Blecha, Chairperson for the National Precast Concrete Association, and President of Hanson Pipe and Products Southeast, Inc., Susan Hollingsworth, CEO of Holes, Inc.; and the first woman president of the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association and Deborah Henry, Ph.D., is Director of Special Programs, Continuing Education/College of Arts & Sciences at University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Also new to WOC 2006 was the CIM Auction befitting The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program at Middle Tennessee State University, which is moving forward with exciting plans to raise funds for a new building specifically to house CIM. As a significant step in this fundraising effort, and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the CIM program, the CIM Patrons and Staff, along with the World of Concrete (WOC) Show Management, Hanley Wood Publications, and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, sponsored a major one-time fundraising unreserved auction held during World of Concrete. Over 200 attendees and exhibitors participated in the bidding action. McNeilus Truck Manufacturing donated a brand new mixer and Somero donated one of its PowerRakes along with dozens more items that went to the highest bidders! Over $250,000 was raised during the auction.
The World of Concrete bookstore offered attendees a one-of-a- kind Tandem Axle Mixer Truck replica of the Mixer being auctioned to commemorate and celebrate CIM and World of Concrete. The models sold out quickly and World of Concrete will introduce a new model collectible for future shows each year.
Technology for Construction, a premier feature within World of Concrete, featured the newest information technology products and solutions for the construction industry from top IT and Systems providers. TFC also provided a cutting-edge conference program and Executive Forum, a high-level event for executives of top architectural, engineering and contracting firms. Once again, McGraw-Hill Construction ENR's Scott Shuster chaired this popular event.
Promising to be even bigger and more exciting than 2006, World of Concrete 2007, back in Las Vegas, January 23-26, 2007; Seminars January 22-26, will once again deliver everything attendees and exhibitors have come to expect from this high-quality industry event. By spending a few days to a week each year at World of Concrete, exhibitors and attendees can expect to spend the rest of the year turning new leads, winning bids and growing their businesses.
About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction.
Through five operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America's leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas), conducts 15 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.
Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $225 million company owned by JPMorgan Partners, LLC, a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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