News Detail

Conventioneering

12/5/2019

As mentioned in a previous memo, my experience with ACI chapters has been fantastic. The work and camaraderie that goes on at the local level all over the world representing the goals and initiatives of ACI is a clear extension of the "always advancing" tagline of the Institute.

A majority of the Institute's work goes on at the ACI fall and spring conventions. The convention in Cincinnati, OH, that was held in October was a great success and built on the growing attendance that has been seen over the past 5 years or so. The meeting next spring will be held in Rosemont, IL, conveniently located near Chicago O’Hare International Airport. There are generally 2000-plus convention attendees, which represents about 7% of the overall ACI membership.

An ACI convention is filled with technical, educational, and certification committee meetings and technical sessions presenting the latest in design, materials, construction, certification, and research. There are events for the student participants, including competitions, contests, and networking opportunities. The Faculty Network, comprising professors teaching concrete-related courses, provides opportunities for discussing what works and what doesn't in the classroom and laboratory, innovative ways of teaching, and, of course, networking. Events specially designed for contractors, such as the Contractors' Day luncheon, with renowned speakers describing remarkable concrete projects, and technical sessions geared toward new innovations in concrete construction—including materials, methods, equipment, and management—provide the latest information for delivering successful concrete projects.

At convention, there is great effort to recognize the far distances that many of ACI’s international members and visitors travel to attend. ACI's international partners are acknowledged and provided with opportunities to participate in technical sessions, committee activities, and networking. There is also a group called Women in ACI (men are welcome to their gathering) that meets at each convention, which affords an opportunity for women in the concrete industry to network. The group sponsors raffles and other events that raise money to provide reimbursement for deserving young professionals to attend an ACI convention.

One of the important functions of an ACI convention is for committees to meet, discuss ongoing work and projects, and develop ideas for new documents and programs. For example, most technical committees meet at conventions and vote on updates to documents and resolve negatives from committee ballots on new and existing documents. The resolution of negatives of committee members is an important part of the development of all technical documents based on the rigorous consensus process of ACI. When reading the myriad state-of-the-art reports, guides, standards, and codes written by technical committees, one can be assured that the information has been thoroughly vetted with the voice of all committee members heard.

At the fall convention, ACI hosts an Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Gala to recognize the best concrete projects in the world. What is unique about this program is that it requires a local chapter or international partner to submit and endorse the project for consideration. This program began 5-plus years ago, and the number of award entries and attendees at the program has grown each year. The gala has become the go-to program for celebrating the most bold, creative, and challenging concrete projects completed in the world in a given year.

Finally, no convention would be complete without attending the Concrete Mixer—basically a time for all attendees to gather in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy food, drink, and each other's company. The event is generally hosted by the local ACI chapter in the city in which the convention is being held, with ACI headquarters sometimes co-hosting. The chapter hosting the convention has a herculean job, along with headquarters staff, to organize the convention and its activities and to raise money to help defray the cost of the mixer. The effort put in by both chapter members and ACI staff is extraordinary and is what always makes convention such a success.

I would encourage every ACI member who has not had the opportunity to attend a convention to do so. For those who need to understand the benefits of attending a convention for professional growth or for enumerating the benefits to their employer, ACI has a great webpage, “Why Attend Convention,” at concrete.org/events/conventions/whyattendconvention that can be used for this purpose.

I wish everyone the best in their pursuit of ACI "conventioneering."

Randall W. Poston

ACI President