MCPX 2004: manufactured concrete products industry heading to Atlanta.

The Manufactured Concrete Products Expo (MCPX)--billed as the "largest trade show in the world exclusively for the manufactured concrete products industry"--is expected to attract more than 6000 producers, suppliers, and engineers to the Georgia World Congress Center on Feb. 6-8. The trade show

MCPX is a joint effort of four concrete product associations: National Concrete Masonry Association, National Precast Concrete Association, Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, and American Concrete Pipe Association. Each group will hold its own committee activities and technical programs, and join forces to create a single trade show for the entire industry.

The 15-hour MCPX trade show spread across three days will feature a wide variety of equipment and services to improve the attendees operations and bottom line. Products such as block and paver machines, mixers, curing systems, insulation, material handling equipment, software, wire products, reinforcement, and rebar benders will be on display.

A one-hour product demonstration coveting the latest techniques and production practices will be presented each day. On Friday, "From Bottom to Top: Ensuring Water Tightness of Manholes" will be presented by A-Lok Products, Press-Seal Gasket, NPC, and International Precast Supply. Saturday's program of "Moisture Evaluation and Compensation in Concrete Mixes and Aggregates" will be presented by Besser, Columbia Machine, and Pathfinder Systems/Tiger U.S.A. The concluding session on Sunday will be "Rheology of Self-Consolidating Concrete and Grout" presented by Master Builders and Sika.

Highlighting the MCPX social agenda will be a message by Lou Holtz, head football coach a the University of South Carolina and former coach at Notre Dame where he won a national championship.

Holtz's inspirational talk at the Grand Opening Lunch on Friday will explain how to assess individual strengths and embrace the kind of values that transform a good team into a great one.

For additional information and registration information about MCPX 2004, visit www.mcpx.org.

NCMA Program

NCMA committee and task group meetings, educational programs, and social activities run from Feb. 3-8. The educational portion of the program is divided into three categories.

* Hot Topics will present the latest development and research information on a variety of important subjects. Topics include Building Construction and Fire Safety, Grouting More Profitable Concrete Masonry, Mold & Indoor Air Quality: Why Concrete Masonry Is the Solution, and Creative & Effective Tax Exempt Saving.

* Educational Tracks will offer multiple programs on concentrated subject areas. The tracks are AIA/CES Provider, Business Management, Production, Technical Sales, and SRW Installer.

* Forums are an interactive format that allow attendees to express thoughts, raise topics, comment, and exchange ideas. The 2004 forums will address the interests in residential, commercial, and landscape applications of concrete masonry products.

For complete information about the NCMA meeting and its various activities, visit www.ncma.org.