Yes, its time to start thinking about the World of Concrete.  The annual show where you go to learn everything about the world’s most consumed material after water will be held from February 4-8, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  The TCA will be there again in its 24th year as a co-sponsor.  The TCA derives a considerable amount of income from the revenue-sharing agreement with Hanley Wood each year, but we need your help to maintain our status.  While our attendance (those using our form or number) was static, our portion of the “fixed pot” decreased significantly last year due to a highly successful promotional campaign from one of our sister associations. It’s great for them, but we need that revenue.  We need you to use our forms and code when you register and you need to get others to use our forms and numbers too.  Get your suppliers, employees, spouses, sub-contractors, children, even your competitors, to use our code.

TCA Source Code – A35

Over 98% of registrants do so online.  Memorize the code.  If you access the WOC registration form on a click-through link from our website our code should automatically be registered; otherwise, you will need to enter it manually.  Direct others to our site at www.tilt-up.org to start their registration process.

Why should you attend the World of Concrete?  One reason is the seminars.  The TCA, working with the ACI C-650 Committee, recently received approval for continuing education and experience to be used in lieu of retaking the certification exam for Tilt-Up Superintendent and Technician recertification (no experience needed for the Technician recertification).  The TCA and C-650 Committee will pre-approve courses from the offerings at the World of Concrete for credit toward the 10-hours of LEU’s required.  There is a broad range of offerings including many great concrete basics courses from 1.5 to 3.0 hours in length, concrete repair courses, materials and mix design courses, and a new course this year entitled “Modern Tilt-Up Contractors Demonstrate Historical Craftsmanship,” by TCA’s Mitch Bloomquist.  It should be noted that the TCA Certification Course taught by Shawn Hickey does not qualify since all of you who are planning to recertify should have already taken this course.

TCA will also hold its annual meeting in conjunction with the show.  It is scheduled for Thursday morning, February 7th.  We are looking at an entirely new format for the 2013 meeting.  We plan to have a feature speaker as well as in-depth information about the association presented by members.

Then there is always the trade show and Las Vegas itself.  It is physically impossible to visit every booth but there is always something new to see or a relationship to solidify.  There are still great rates on rooms available.  Make your plans today, but make sure you use the TCA Code (A35) when you register.