World of Concrete Shows Rock Solid Numbers

February 11, 2013

Hanley Wood Exhibitions' World of Concrete showed about a five percent increase in attendance and exhibit space, compared with last year, when it ran in Feb. 5–8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There were 1,286 companies exhibited on 605,681 net square feet of space. Attendance was at approximately 55,000, compared with 52,088 last year. In 2012, the show featured 1,168 indoor/outdoor exhibitors on 552,500 net square feet.

“It’s been a good show,” said Tom Cindric, group director for Hanley Wood Exhibitions. “Last year, the parts business was big because companies needed replacement parts, but this year, it’s more about new machinery. Exhibitors are very optimistic.”

Cindric also noted robust growth in the education program, with seminar registration up 10 percent. “Companies are sending more of their team members, especially those who haven’t taken classes over the past few years,” he added.

WOC also partnered with the Red Horse squadrons, U.S. Air Force mobile civil engineering units, to provide relevant education and certifications for their work in the field.

International attendance continues to show strong numbers, according to Cindric, thanks to successful trade missions to core international markets and continuing collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, as well as the destination appeal of Las Vegas.

On the international front, Hanley Wood announced in early February its plans to launch World of Concrete India, which will debut in October 2013 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India.

“It’s such a great venue for us because this region is in the process of modernizing its extensive infrastructure,” Cindric said. The event will be held in collaboration with the India Concrete Institute. 

CONEXPO, a massive construction industry even that has some crossover attendees and exhibitors, is coming to Las Vegas in 2014, but Cindric is bullish about the exhibitor bookings for WOC.

“The bookings are holding steady for next year,” he added. “We’re focused specifically on concrete, and people are holding their spaces.”

Attendee James Campbell with Concrete Services Corp. has been coming to WOC for about a decade to keep up on the latest tech developments, take classes and touch base with suppliers.

“Our company likes to jump in and be the first to handle new everything concrete in our state,” Campbell said. “We bring our field supervisors here to scout out the new technologies.” The company recently invested in a new concrete pump and is booked with orders until September.

Exhibitor Tank Stoltzfus with Line Dragon said that attendance seems to be up this year and that his team has received more than 100 leads. “It’s a great show for us,” he added. “We come religiously.”

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact