Engaging Through a Global Lens

4/1/2025

As a native Chicagoan, I often draw on the rich history and culture of the “City of Broad Shoulders,” as described by the great poet Carl Sandburg. I grew up appreciating Chicago’s unique architecture and creative design, which some say began with the 1893 Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, which attracted exhibits and innovations from around the world.

Daniel Burnham, a famous and renowned American architect and urban planner in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was noted for his impact on the American city and instrumental in the development of the skyscraper. Burnham also was the Principal Architect and Director of the Columbian Exposition, overseeing the famous “White City.”

I have often reflected on these famous words from Mr. Burnham:

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.”

In the early twentieth century, engineers faced a serious lack of standard practice in making concrete block, resulting in poor workmanship and construction. In the summer of 1904, Charles C. Brown, Editor of Municipal Engineering, at the suggestion of two prominent U.S. engineers, started the process of forming an organization to discuss this problem and to attempt to bring order to the issue.

Brown publicized the idea in the September 1904 issue of Municipal Engineering and posed the question of whether it was advisable to proceed with creating an association that would deal with this and other concrete-related issues. Late in 1904, at the Engineering Congress at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, MO, USA, like-minded engineers assembled to share their similar concerns and to voice their support for forming an association of manufacturers of concrete block machines to educate the users of such machines in the proper methods of making “good block.” Just a few short months later—January 1905 in Indianapolis, IN, USA—the National Association of Cement Users (NACU) was established with the adoption of a constitution and bylaws.

In its founding documents, NACU stated:

“… to disseminate information and experience upon and to promote the best methods to be employed in the various uses of cement by means of conventions, the reading and discussion of papers upon materials of a cement nature and their uses, by social and friendly intercourse at such conventions, exhibitions, and study of materials, machinery, and methods, and to circulate among its members, by means of publications, the information thus obtained...”

More than a century later, those words still resonate in the ACI mission, as we continue to advance our global commitment to share knowledge on all things concrete. But exactly how are we carrying out this global commitment?

Our international footprint is large and is growing every year. Currently, ACI has 93 local chapters, 355 student chapters, more than 75 international partners, approximately 40,000 members, and a presence (that is, members, chapters, codes and standards, and certifications) in more than 120 countries.

Last November, I traveled to Lima, Peru, with President Michael J. Paul and ACI team members to participate in “Trends, Innovation and Regulations in Concrete,” hosted by the ACI Peru Chapter, which was celebrating its 40th anniversary. ACI hosted a Chapter Roundtable and a Code Summit in conjunction with this event that attracted more than 200 chapter representatives and attendees from throughout South and Central America. Topical discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities filled 3 days that revolved around discussing and sharing knowledge on all things concrete.

This past February, I again was on the road, traveling to the Middle East/North Africa with President Paul, Vice President Scott Anderson, Immediate Past President Tony Nanni, Distinguished Staff Engineer Khaled Nahlawi, and ACI MENA Regional Manager Ahmad Mhanna, to visit three countries and six cities in all.

In Algiers, Algeria, we participated in a 2-day, government-sponsored conference on all things concrete. The event attracted more than 300 attendees. We also held several bilateral meetings and toured remarkable concrete structures like the Great Mosque of Algiers, which was built largely with concrete and incorporated the latest technologies for construction within a seismic zone.

Next, we traveled to Dubai, UAE, to participate in “From Gray to Green,” a 2-day conference sponsored by ACI that included numerous technical presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The event was well-attended, with approximately 350 participants from nations throughout the Gulf Region and North Africa. Additional side meetings occurred with country delegations, companies, and government entities.

Our next stop was Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for meetings with the Oil Sustainability Program, attendance at the Big 5 Construction Show, and meetings with several companies. From there, we headed to Eastern Saudi Arabia for meetings with Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and the Arab Center for Engineering Studies Laboratories, as well as to participate in a half-day conference at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals with students and faculty.

In reflecting on these trips, three observations stand out:

• ACI’s international footprint is visible;
• ACI’s knowledge is in demand; and
• ACI must continue to expand its international outreach, programs, and services.

As ACI Executive Vice President, my primary focus is on the third point. Here is what we are doing:

ACI created two new staff positions to serve as direct conduits to the Latin America and East Asia regions. These two positions—Regional Manager of International Affairs for each region—report to the Director, International Affairs, and will work to identify, plan, develop, and implement initiatives related to programs in their assigned regions, while maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. We are excited about advancing ACI’s footprint in these two key parts of the world, while also continuing to advance ACI’s programs and services throughout the rest of the world.

In addition, we are developing a concept for Board consideration for a proposed annual ACI Regional event that will successively rotate to a different global region. For example, in collaboration with a local co-sponsoring group, the conference could occur in Latin America one year, take place in East Asia the next, and be held in Europe the year after. And so forth. In general, programming for this event likely would include some or all of the following: chapter roundtable, code summit, general session presentations, certification training, networking events, awards, and much more.

For more than a century, ACI has seen its international reach grow and thrive through chapters, code adoption, and certifications. But there is more that we can and must do. That is why ACI is taking concrete steps (pardon the pun) to build and expand its knowledge-sharing, certifications, and translated publications with our members and student members, governments, and the concrete industry, in general, by studying the potential of this annual event concept.

Daniel Burnham’s vision for the Columbian Exposition was realized in a little over 2 years, resulting in the most spectacular world’s fair of the nineteenth century that made a lasting impression on millions of visitors during the fair’s run. As we watch our new international initiatives unfold, I am excited by ACI’s opportunity to engage new stakeholders, while strengthening our relationships with existing chapters and individual members.

With our footprint firmly established and growing around the world, we embrace and echo Burnham’s challenge to “Make no little plans.”

ACI: Always advancing!

Frederick H. Grubbe

ACI Executive Vice President