World of Concrete Reignites Large Trade Shows and Conventions

June 15, 2021
World of Concrete Reignites Large Trade Shows and Conventions

World of Concrete, which took place June 8-10 in Las Vegas, signaled the return of major trade shows in the United States. With banners flying over telescope cranes, power tools roaring through cement and attendees shaking hands and sometimes hugging, the event not only felt like a reunion but also a solid foundation for the return to business. 

The show kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s $1 billion West Hall and the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, the underground tunnel developed by Elon Musks’ The Boring Company that shuttles attendees across the campus in Teslas. 

“This convention reinvigorates our commitment to be bold in how we envision the future of infrastructure and recovery of our state and this is only the beginning,” said Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak at the ceremony. 

Although understandably smaller than in years past, WOC still attracted 650 exhibiting companies and occupied the LVCC’s North Hall, part of the West Hall and some outdoor lots. Attendance was expected to be significantly less than the usual 60,000, a combination of the pandemic and summer being the busiest time for the construction industry. 

“People who are coming to events are going to be serious buyers, and the quality is very strong,” said Nancy Walsh, president, North America for Informa Markets, which organized the event. She noted that 85% of the customers are small and medium businesses, many of which had been hit hard during the pandemic, and trade shows help them get back on their feet. 

The decision to hold a live event was community-driven. Since February, the show’s organizers had been gauging past attendees’ interest, and 97% saw it as favorable for the industry. 

“We heard that our customers wanted to be together and being at the show, I can definitely feel the vibe here,” Walsh said. “People are reconnecting. Friends are seeing each other again, and business is being done. It was definitely the right decision.” 

Scene From the Floor

World of Concrete Reignites Large Trade Shows and ConventionsEven though pandemic restrictions were fully lifted in Las Vegas on June 1, the show was committed to creating the safest environment possible and capped capacity limits in all shared and common spaces at 80%. Aisles were spaced 15-20 feet apart. Attendees used digital badges and walked through thermal scanning to enter the exhibit halls and masks were recommended but not required. WOC organizers worked with the LVCC on enhanced cleaning protocols and adhering to local and national health guidelines. 

On the showfloor, the excitement was contagious. “Exhibitors are happy to be here and excited for face-to-face interaction, which is the crux of our business,” said Attendee Gary Leslie, sales representative for TWI Group, a global event logistics company. “You see people who are here to work. This is what we live for.”

Leslie is noticing a growing interest from his customers in shipping to events both domestically and internationally and expects a strong comeback once the travel restrictions are lifted. 

Ben Houk, a product manager with Illinois-based Tsurumi Pump, had no reservations about coming to WOC. “We thought it was important coming out of the pandemic to be here,” he said. A long-time exhibitor, the company initially had concerns about attendance but halfway into the show already had several positive leads. 

Walsh sees a robust trade show calendar in the months to come and expects attendance numbers to climb along with vaccination rates. Informa Markets plans to host 10 more trade shows in Las Vegas alone before the end of the year.

 

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HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.