Keynote by Fu-Tung Cheng

• "Living On The Edge Of Concrete Countertop Making": Taking imaginative risks to create timeless design.

• Critical Success Factors (Getting Started) by Jeff Girard

  Jeff Girard will discuss critical success factors, both technical aspects of concrete and business aspects of countertops, that will help you be more successful making concrete countertops. These tips will help prevent common mistakes and missteps that can stall your business from growing beyond the hobby level. Learn how to be successful in the business of manufacturing concrete countertops.

• Adding a New Dimension: Going 3-D (Experienced) by Michael Bustin and Mark Melonas

Explore a new dimension in concept, designing, prototyping and mold making via digital design and fabrication. Learn what technologies and methods are available in today’s market and how these tools aid in the creation of striking three-dimensional concrete products such as furnishings, fixtures, mold parts and accessories. Also learn how you can pair your concrete with other materials to create unique products.

• Should I "Grind and Grout" or "Pop a Perfect Slab"? (Getting Started) by Christian Lincoln and Christopher McCormick

There are many ways to make concrete countertops. One technique involves grinding the surface and applying cement grout to fill voids (“grind and grout”). Another technique results in a void-free surface straight from the mold (“pop a perfect slab”). Which technique should you use? You decide, after hearing from experts in each method. Learn critical mixing, forming, casting and finishing tips for both techniques.

• Everything You Need to Know About Admixtures (Getting Started) by Gabriel Ojeda

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 how to optimize your concrete with admixtures.

PM Break in Exhibit Hall

Demos in Exhibit Hall

2 Concurrent Seminars:

• How to Run Your Business for SUCCESS! (Getting Started) by Rocky Geans

To succeed at concrete countertops, you need to be both a talented craftsperson and a good businessperson. Being a good business person requires skills in marketing, selling, finance, time management, organization, communication and more. Learn how to establish systems to tackle all of this, and how to avoid common business pitfalls.

• Understanding Concrete Countertop Mixes (Experienced) by Jeff Girard

Even some of the most experienced concrete countertop makers have elaborate mix designs but don’t really understand exactly how their concrete works and why. This seminar will help you truly understand fundamental principles such as water-cement ratio and aggregate gradation, as well as advanced special-purpose mixes such as self-consolidating concrete and lightweight concrete. Use the understanding you gain to improve your own mix design and eliminate problems such as efflorescence, curling and cracking.

2 Concurrent Seminars:

• How to Succeed as a Cast in Place Specialist (Getting Started) by Doug Bannister and Bob Harris

Cast in place concrete countertops have their own unique challenges and distinct benefits. They require a great deal of skill and meticulous care, but they allow shapes and sizes that simply are not possible with precast. Learn why you might want to cast concrete countertops in place and how to succeed at it.

• Make More Money with Smart Marketing (Getting Started) by Lane Mangum

It doesn’t matter how good your concrete countertops are if you can’t market and sell them. Get practical tips for effective but inexpensive marketing methods, and learn how to make the most of your marketing dollar.

Seminar:

• Just Because The Tail Wags the Dog, Don’t Just Pet The Tail: You know concrete countertops, but what you don’t know about design can bite you. (Everyone) by Fu-Tung Cheng
  
   A concrete countertop can certainly transform a bland, stamped-out typical kitchen into an awesome statement, but for it to do so requires more than just the object itself. A successful concrete artisan must understand the environment; i.e. the specific context of the space, the style , and the functional needs of the client and know what tools are available to best integrate the countertop into the home. Form, Function, Space, Color, Texture — stroking and massaging these qualities as a whole is what makes for good design and contented clients.
  

You won't want to miss this seminar by the master of concrete countertop design!

Open Discussion:

• Ask the Experts Anything! featuring some of the biggest names in concrete countertops. (Everyone)

Don’t miss this opportunity to have an open discussion with the “big dogs” of concrete countertops – successful businesspeople who have been making concrete countertop for a decade or more. These founders of the industry will field questions from the audience, and are sure to provide pearls of wisdom and inspiration.

Panel members are Buddy Rhodes, Kelly Carr of Concrete Jungle, Mike Karmody of Stone Soup Concrete and George Bishop of Get Real Surfaces.

Seminar:

• The Truth About Concrete Countertop Sealers... with all the details. (Everyone) by Dr. Bruce Maier

What’s the best sealer to use? This is a very complicated question that requires understanding the technical and aesthetic performance of a wide variety of sealers, satisfying the demands of sometimes difficult clients, and balancing many factors such as ease of use, environmental friendliness, and cost. This seminar will cover specific sealers, and also show you the importance of understanding that there is no one right sealer for all applications. Learn how to select the right sealers for your business, and your sealer woes will be over.