Keynote by Sean Jacobs
Emerging Trends in Countertops: Are Concrete Countertops the Dawning of a New Age?

Emerging Trends in Countertops: Are Concrete Countertops the Dawning of a New Age? It is a mistake to think concrete is simply another surfacing fad, which will, with time fade. The reality is, the current buzz is simply the herald of a new age and new way of doing business. It will only be a short amount of time before the standards and expectations, of consumers, will change. It is prudent for anyone wishing to remain a viable business in the future, to understand, evaluate and embrace the reality of what is coming. The reality is, there is a window for the early adopters to define themselves and lead the way into the new age.

Benefit: Understand what's coming so you can remain a viable business in the future.

Technical Seminar by Jeff Girard
Make a Better Countertop Mix with Admixtures

Chemical admixtures are essential tools that make your concrete better and more versatile. Do you know how to achieve lower water-cement ratio, a better surface finish, quicker turnover and higher strengths? If not, attend this seminar and learn specific products and techniques to optimize your concrete countertop mix, making it better, stronger, faster.

Benefit: Save yourself time and money by preventing problems with mixes.

Business Seminar by MaryJo Camp
Good Design Works

Good design works because it creates inviting, satisfying spaces. Good design works because it is a collaborative effort. Good design works because it builds your business with happy customers.

Make good design work for you by attending this seminar by an award-winning kitchen designer with 30 years of experience in the Kitchen and Bath Industry.

Benefit: Sell more countertops through working with kitchen designers and other design professionals. Sell better countertops by understanding design.

Technical Seminar by Jeremy French
Pushing the Envelope Beyond Countertops: GFRC and other tricks of the trade for amazing three-dimensional projects.

Jeremy French, back by popular demand after his rousing Show & Tell session at CCIC 2007, will guide you from creative vision to the nuts and bolts of mold techniques and other processes he has used over the years to create spectacular designs. Learn from Jeremy how to take your projects to the next level with GFRC, innovative mold-making, all-natural sealers for stain-resistance and more. Learn to take risks, solve problems, and build up your arsenal of techniques to create amazing projects.

Benefit: Leapfrog beyond your competition by learning how to produce amazing projects.

Business Seminar by Evan Kruger
Getting it Right the First Time: A systematic, money making, approach to countertop project management.

Have you ever had to re-do a countertop because of a missing or incorrect little detail? Have you ever had project delays because of sink or cabinet problems? Have you ever had to fight to get paid? Evan Kruger has established a systematic approach to prevent these kinds of mistakes and problems and to ensure smooth sailing from the first customer interaction all the way to final payment. Handouts will include the customer documents, job tracking sheets, checklists and more used in Kruger's 10-year old, 50-employee countertop fabrication shop. Whether you are a one-person or a 50-person operation, this seminar will make you more profitable!

Benefit: Increase your bottom line by being more efficient and getting paid faster. Plus, see actual templating checklists, job tracking sheets and more!

Technical Seminar by Jeff Girard
How to Succeed with Concrete Countertop Sealers

Sealer woes got you down? Do you always have that sinking feeling on sealing day? Learn not only exactly which specific sealers perform best but also how to test sealers for yourself. Make sealing day stress-free and have happier customers. Jeff will also reveal results from rigorous stain tests of various commercially available concrete countertop sealers.

Benefit: Save yourself time and money by preventing problems with sealers.

Technical Seminar by Eric Corey Freed
Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies

In this lecture you will hear about the emerging field of green building; see some of the most exciting technologies available; and get a glimpse of the inevitable future of our buildings.

Join us in an energetic and lively discussion on green architecture from one of the pioneers in the field. Eric Corey Freed is an award winning green architect and principal of organicARCHITECT, a research and design firm based in San Francisco. Eric is a warm and engaging speaker and presents this inspirational and informative material in a logical way.

POINTS COVERED:

• what is environmentalism?
  
• what does this have to do with buildings?
  
• the 2 main misconceptions in green architecture
• what is the lifecycle and how does that effect the design of buildings?
• how to sell these ideas to your clients
• 5 case studies demonstrating these ideas
• an action plan to implement this in your office

Benefit: Learn what the hottest trend around, "green", really means and how to position it to your advantage.

Business Seminar by Lynda Apple
Survey Says!? What does "Sales & Marketing" mean for YOUR Concrete Countertop Business?

Mom and Pop, large or small, production or custom? In our little emerging industry there are already countless business models - so what kinds of sales and marketing work best? What is sales and marketing for you? Lynda Apple of InConcrete spent the last few months interviewing, researching and surveying your peers from all walks of life to get an idea. Come enjoy her interactive, perhaps controversial, presentation about her findings followed by a star-studded Q & A session.

Benefit: Increase your top line with sales and marketing techniques that really work and by pricing right. Plus, get an actual sales contract and estimate sheet.!