By: Ben Saltzman, Tilt-Up Concrete Association

The 2006 Tilt-Up Convention, “M.A.S.S. Appeal – Achieving New Heights,” held in Englewood, Colo., was an outstanding educational and networking event. As the Tilt-Up association continues to grow, so does the size and importance of this annual event. Contractors, engineers, architects, marketers and managers spent the days in education sessions, focusing on Tilt- Up as a modern, artistic, structural and sustainable building solution (M.A.S.S. appeal). Evening cocktail receptions then allowed everyone in attendance to network amidst the 35-booth tradeshow to view first-hand the newest technological advancements that are making Tilt- Up a more efficient and dynamic building system. The Convention this year also featured industry- appropriate keynote addresses and a closing barbeque with product demonstrations.

TRADESHOW

33 Companies exhibited at this year’s Convention, providing this highly-specified Tilt-Up audience with the first look at the newest innovations that are changing the face of the Tilt-Up industry. Here are the companies who exhibited at this year’s convention:

• AeroVironment
• Architectural Polymers
• Ashford/UltraCure
• CMC Construction Services/
• Shepler’s Composite Technologies Corp.
• CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems
• Concrete Forms Services – Silver Sponsor
• ConcreteCareers.com
• Dayton Superior – Platinum Sponsor
• Dow Chemical Company
• Earl Composite Systems
• Edgeworth Construction Products – Silver Sponsor
• Fitzgerald Formliners
• General Technologies
• Greenstreak Group
• Innovative Brick Systems – Silver Sponsor
• Lite-Form Technologies
• MAX USA Corp.
• Meadow Burke – Platinum Sponsor
• METROBRICK
• Nox-Crete Products Group
• Pacific Wood Laminates
• Pocket Form Isolator
• Power Blanket
• Power Adhesives
• Putzmeister – Gold Sponsor
• Rapid Set/CTS Cement
• Schwing America
• Scott System
• Solomon Colors
• StructureWorks
• Universal Building Products – Platinum Sponsor
• Victory Bear – Platinum Sponsor

EDUCATION

This year, the educational component of the Convention was comprised of specialized tracks of seminars for Contractors, Engineers, Marketers and Architects. The seminars were tailored to each audience, providing specialized attention and maximum benefit for those in attendance. There were also breakout sessions and roundtable discussions, where attendees could discuss at length the issues they face every day as Tilt-Up professionals. The speakers presenting these topics were industry professionals, each with advanced knowledge of the topics they presented.

NETWORKING

There were many opportunities for all of the attendees and the exhibitors to network throughout the Convention – during the Tradeshow receptions, exhibitor luncheon, opening dinner and the keynote luncheon. The closing dinner, a barbeque with the outdoor exhibits and product demonstrations, put the finishing touches on an outstanding event.

DEMO

A new feature for 2006, sponsors were invited to exhibit their products during an outdoor demonstration to close the Convention. All sponsors had products in the static displays, which included 2 sample concrete panels braced into position. The highest-level sponsors were also invited to explain the use and installation of their products in a live product demonstration.

BUILDINGS TOUR

A buildings tour is a regular feature of the TCA Convention. Denver, one of the hottest markets in the Tilt-Up industry, provided many interesting projects for the attendees to explore as the closing event of the Convention.

2007 TILT-UP CONVENTION: “TILT-UP: IT’S A SYSTEM”

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 2007 Tilt-Up Convention, to be held at the Marriot at the University of Maryland. 2007 Convention opportunities include a Mega Demo, expansive Tilt-Up tradeshow, specialized educational tracks and a student design competition. See you in Maryland!