News Detail

ACI Welcomes Inaugural Interest Group in Cuba

3/30/2023

The American Concrete Institute recently established the formation of a new classification, knows as Interest Groups, and welcomed the Cuba Interest Group onboard as its first organization.

Interest Groups are an informal association without the requirements of a Chapter, and comprise of concrete professionals who want to periodically gather to discuss and learn more about concrete technology but cannot obtain the minimum threshold to be a Chapter.

“We realize that not all geographical areas are represented by chapter presence,” said John Conn, Director of ACI Chapter Activities.  “Yet, in those areas, groups of individuals wish to engage with ACI but are unable to fulfill the requirements of a chapter.  In response to this, an ACI task group determined 'Interest Groups' to be a solution.  This is a great option for a group of individuals who wish to maintain affiliation with ACI but aren’t currently able to meet chapter requirements.”

To be eligible for an ACI Interest Group, one of the two requirements must be met:

• The Interest Group shall supply the name of one ACI member in the local area and three individuals in the area who can demonstrate an interest in concrete design, construction, production, testing etc. All 3 individuals shall be from different companies and shall represent at least 2 different concrete industries from the selection of academia, engineering, construction, testing, concrete production, concrete management, architecture, or any other distinct category. Or;
• The Interest Group shall supply the name of five individuals in the area who can demonstrate an interest in concrete design, construction, production, testing, etc. All 5 individuals must be from a different company and shall represent at least 3 different concrete industries from the selection of academia, engineering, construction, testing, concrete production, concrete management, architecture, or any other distinct category. 

"Our aim is to be knowledgeable on the latest standards for Steel and Fiber Reinforced Polymer concrete structures,” said Hugo Rivas, Director of the inaugural Cuba Interest Group. “ACI publishes information of great technical importance, and this will provide us a variety of benefits; one of which is to provide the exchange of experience and publications with professionals within ACI Chapters, in Latin America and the United States of America."

To learn more about interest groups or receive an application, contact Denesha Price at Denesha.price@concrete.org