CONCRETE COUNTERTOP INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Roundtable Discussions
NEW for 2008! The following roundtable discussions give you an opportunity for advanced learning, as follow-on discussions after seminars. These are informal, moderated discussions with your peers. They are sure to be enlightening, perhaps controversial, and definitely fun!
- GFRC and Lots of Other Fun Techniques for Cool Projects
- Admixtures: What Do You Use and Why?
- How Do You Run Your Business?
- Sealer Experiences: Tales of Triumph and Woe
- Countertops versus Floors
- The Ideal Shop Setup
- How Exactly Do I Make My Concrete Countertops Greener?
- Marketing Success Stories
- Where Does Cast-in-Place Fit In?
GFRC and Lots of Other Fun Techniques for Cool Projects
Thursday, 3:15 PM - 4:15PMAfter getting inspired by the "Pushing the Envelope" seminar, come together with your peers to discuss their and your techniques, such as hand packing, GFRC, coloring, inlays and other out of this world ideas for wild and crazy concrete elements. Moderated by Tommy Cook. tommy@absoluteconcreteworks.com
Admixtures: What Do You Use and Why?
Thursday, 3:15 PM - 4:15PMSort through all the technicalities and talk about what works for you and why. You might just discover from one of your peers the magic powder you were missing! Moderated by Alla Linetsky. alla@concreteelegance.ca
How Do You Run Your Business?
Thursday, 3:15 PM - 4:15PMJoin this lively and possibly heated discussion about how you use contracts and procedures to run your business. Delve into issues of employees, shop setup, efficiency, finances, and all of those things that you as a business owner have to worry about on a daily basis. This peer-to-peer discussion will let you know you're not alone and make your life easier. Moderated by Patrick Miller. pmiller@bohemianstoneworks.com
Sealer Experiences: Tales of Triumph and Woe
Friday, 9:45 AM - 10:45 AMExpand on the sealer seminar with a frank discussion with your peers about your and their experiences with sealers. Learn from others' mistakes and successes. Moderated by Troy Thompson. troy@surfaceconcrete.com
Countertops versus Floors
Friday, 9:45 AM - 10:45 AMShould you add floors to your countertop business (or vice versa)? Join this frank discussion about how concrete floors and concrete countertops really fit together… or not. Moderated by Russell Vaughan. rvaughn33@cox.net
The Ideal Shop Setup
Friday, 9:45 AM - 10:45 AMHow is your precast shop set up? What equipment do you consider essential? How much space and how many employees do you really need? Bounce ideas and tips off your peers, and leave with a plan to make your shop run more smoothly. Moderated by Dana Andrews. dana-lisa@comcast.net
How Exactly Do I Make My Concrete Countertops Greener?
Saturday, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AMDiscuss specific methods and materials to become a greener concrete countertop manufacturer and produce eco-friendlier modern concrete products. Moderated by Christopher McCormick. cm@betonas.com
Marketing Success Stories
Saturday, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AMGet excited about marketing, and give your marketing efforts a kick in the pants! Hear tried and true marketing ideas and brainstorm more, in a group of creative, motivated concrete countertop makers.
Where Does Cast-in-Place Fit In?
Saturday, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AMAre you a cast in place specialist? Join other "cast-in-placers" to tout (or lament) this method and discuss tips and tricks to succeed at cast in place concrete countertops. Moderated by Gary Berchenbriter. gberchen1@bresnan.net