Don Greive, PE, acting president of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, visits with Luke Wright of Southland Concrete during the New Members Reception at the 2026 TCA Convention in Salt Lake City. Southland Concrete was among the reception’s sponsors.
The 2026 TCA Convention in Salt Lake City was a huge success. The combination of tours, demonstrations, the Gala, exhibitors, and education sessions brought everyone together and made for a memorable event. Congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners as well.
I want to thank everyone who contributed to making the convention happen. That starts with the TCA staff, who put in a tremendous amount of work and always do an outstanding job. Security was high on the exhibit floor this year, and I even needed staff to help me gain access twice! I also want to recognize the host committee and sponsors, led by Hughes. Salt Lake City and the state of Utah were well represented. Thanks to the exhibitors who return year after year to show us products and services that can make our lives easier, and to the speakers who shared their knowledge to help us all get better at what we do.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the attendees. The convention would not be the same without the people who travel from across the United States and internationally to participate. It is an opportunity to celebrate our successes, learn how we can improve, and reconnect with friends. The networking and combined effort toward a common cause of promoting tilt-up construction and improving how we do things were clearly on display.
Multiple people have told me they get more out of TCA than other organizations they belong to. I attribute that to the people who participate and genuinely want to make the organization better. On a personal note, I can’t think of another convention where someone would recognize me at the airport at 5:15 in the morning, say hello, and ask me about the event.
Don Greive, PE, acting president of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, addresses attendees during the 2026 Tilt-Up Awards Gala in Salt Lake City.
With Salt Lake City behind us, we are already looking forward to the 2027 convention in Houston. Since Houston is my home, and home to several great TCA members, I can assure you that we will work diligently to continue the string of successful conventions and make it a memorable event.
In the meantime, there is plenty happening across TCA. First up in December is Nexus in Toronto, an event that embodies a renewed commitment to elevating and promoting tilt-up construction in Canada. I applaud the efforts of both our Mexican Advisory Board and Canadian Advisory Board, along with Jorge and Len, who chair those boards, for their work to share information and expand the use of tilt-up construction in their respective countries.
We will also continue building on the success of the Vibes events. These networking gatherings have been well received and well attended, with lots of energy. I have been fortunate enough to attend six of them in Texas and the Southeast, and I think every one I attended continued long after the tab had been closed. I encourage those who have organized events in the past to do so again. For cities that have not yet hosted a Vibes event, reach out to TCA to learn what it takes to make one happen.
All of this gets me thinking about why we belong to TCA in the first place.
We all have different reasons for membership. For me, one of the biggest is the relationships I have developed over the years through my involvement with the organization. Because of the people I have met, I now have resources across the country and beyond who can help when I encounter something unusual or new to me. People in TCA are always willing to share their knowledge and help each other out. Many of those relationships have turned into friendships.
Another important benefit is the knowledge shared throughout the industry. TCA publications, events, and education sessions help us understand how to do things better, whether that means learning about new products that simplify construction or improving processes and techniques we have used for years. That information is valuable to seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, particularly when it comes to understanding the nuances of tilt-up construction.
Building on that knowledge, TCA also plays an important role in promoting tilt-up to the broader construction industry. We have an opportunity to demonstrate that tilt-up is applicable to a much wider range of projects than many people realize. Offices, schools, churches, health care facilities, and other building types may not immediately come to mind when someone thinks of tilt-up. Yet TCA member firms have demonstrated not only that tilt-up is possible for these facilities, but that there are real benefits to using the system.
Sharing those examples and educating the construction industry helps expand the use of tilt-up, which is good for all of us.
That brings me to one request as we approach the new year.
If you are involved in TCA, you already understand the value of the organization, and I applaud you for what you contribute to our industry. But we all work alongside companies on projects that are not members of TCA. I would ask each of you to reach out to just one of those companies and share what you have gained through your participation.
Encourage them to visit the TCA website, talk with other members, and consider joining. In my view, the cost of membership is a bargain when you consider the resources, relationships, and opportunities available. I know Mitch and particularly Jill Heald are always ready to provide information and answer questions about membership.
Thanks again for your participation and for everything you do to make TCA a valuable organization. Here’s to a great year ahead in 2027!
By Don Greive, PE
Acting President, Tilt-Up Concrete Association
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