Despite a massive early morning snow storm on the first day, hundreds of contractors turned up to view concrete related products, equipment and services.
Canada’s first all-concrete construction exposition exceeded expectations, according to Stuart Galloway, president of the show’s organizer, 20/20 Show Productions.
Canadian Concrete Expo, held at the International Centre in Toronto, Ont. from Feb. 7-8, featured over 200 exhibitors and 200,000 square feet of exhibit space.
“Its something the industry really needed in Canada,” said Galloway.
The expo offered 23 sessions, including large equipment demonstrations held within the centre – a first for a national trade show, according to Galloway.
A full-scale demonstration of three Lafarge Canada products, including Agilia Horiztonal XTR, a self-consolidating concrete, and Agilia Vertical, attracted 230 attendees.
In addition to Lafarge Canada, five other companies conducted product demonstrations, including BLK Boom Trucks, Canadian Concrete Levelling and Aluma Systems.
With a slew of exhibitors, the show offers businesses with an opportunity to shop and compare without having to attend an international show, said Galloway.
Boom pumps and trucks, concrete-mixing trucks, rebar, additives and coatings and decorative concrete were all on display at the exposition.
Among attendees were producers, contractors, manufacturers, developers, architects, engineers, specifiers and government representatives. About 44 per cent were general managers, presidents and CEOs, said Galloway.
HD Supply Brafasco sponsored a well-attended session on the hazards of silica dust and necessary protection. Rick Tunks (right), safety specialist program manager at HD Supply Brafasco, led the talk with guest speakers from 3M (centre) and Bosch (left).
Sponsors included Building Point Canada, Symons by Dayton Superior, Lafarge Canada, Tilt Wall and Lehigh Hanson, in addition to over 50 supporting associations.
The expo will return to the International Centre from Feb. 6-7, 2019, where Galloway expects 70 per cent growth and double the attendance.
New exhibitors, education sessions, suppliers and partners are all in the works for next year’s expo. Galloway also hopes to introduce networking events and elevate the show’s educational component.
“We’ve got our exhibitors from 2018 chomping at the bit to rebook their exhibit space for next year,” said Galloway. “We’re really trying to build this as a national show, not a regional show for Ontario.”
