World of Concrete returns with strong attendance

Informa Markets’ World of Concrete, the world’s largest tradeshow fostering the growing concrete and masonry construction industries, concluded its 49th annual event held from January 17-19, 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). With 48,009 registered professionals, heavy foot traffic on the show floor and over 120 countries in attendance, the World of Concrete further solidifies itself as the critical meeting place for industry advancement.

“The 2023 edition of World of Concrete far exceeded our expectations. The crowded show floor and packed educational sessions proves how essential meeting face to face is, that it remains important now more than ever to have a space to connect, to learn, to share across the concrete, masonry and construction industries as a vital contributor to our economy,” says Jackie James, Vice President, World of Concrete. “In-person attendance is on its way back to pre- pandemic levels and the World of Concrete event leads global trends in construction.”

World of Concrete took more than 587,000 net square footage of the convention center, with both indoor and outdoor spaces full of product displays, demonstrations and competitions. Notable highlights included unveiling of exciting new innovations, such as the first ever Mobile 3D Robotic Concrete Printer and AI Site Map Printer, top of the line work trucks with electric batteries and aerodynamic improvements, and the widest range of original manufactured equipment from excavators to wireless concrete sensors, AI-based platforms and modern materials like the ecodriven Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. This year World of Concrete also offered more than 160 technical sessions, including hands-on training, safety expertise and business development. Noted new additions to the 2023 education program were eight concrete basics and leadership courses presented in Spanish, a revamped three-hour comprehensive concrete repair track, and new workshops focusing specifically on women in construction.

“Over 300,000 concrete contractors are employed in the United States and represent the backbone of the American and international workforce, says Kevin Thornton, SVP of Construction, Informa Markets. “World of Concrete is proud to support laborers in education and connection providing opportunity to advance the industry toward enhanced sustainability, efficiency and safety, and continuing growth.”

World of Concrete will return in 2024 for its 50th Anniversary, slated for January 23-25; Education January 22-25 in Las Vegas.

The Nigerian agrofood & plastprintpack industry will meet again for the highlight of the year. Organised by the German trade show specialists fairtrade, the 8th edition of agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria takes place from 28 to 30 March 2023 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Victoria Island. Here, global technology leaders from 11 countries showcase adapted technologies and solutions for the Nigerian and West African market in the fields of agriculture, food and beverage processing, ingredients, plastics, printing and packaging. The exhibitors come from Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Nigeria, Taiwan, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain.

One of the traditional highlights at agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria being the German Pavilion, this year 21 German exhibitors will be present. The German Pavilion is presented by the

German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and supported by the German Trade Fair Association AUMA and the German Engineering Federation VDMA.

A top level 3-day conference will again run alongside the exhibition. Key topics will cover beverage production & ingredients, supply chain evaluation, finance and others. As with the previous events, a 3-day Packaging Masterclass will take place parallel to the exhibition. It is organised by the African Packaging Organisation (APO), a member of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The target is to teach how companies can leverage food processing and packaging for retail trade through an Executive Certificate Course in Packaging Materials and Food Packaging Technology. Outlines Ahmed Alex Omah, President of APO:

“We are delighted to partner with fairtrade to deepen participants’ knowledge in packaging materials and food packaging technology. During the three-day programme, experts will lead discussions on topics such as sustainable packaging innovations, the need for standardised production and processing methods, access to finance and much more.”

After the great cooperation for the 2021 and 2022 event, fairtrade & OTACCWA, the Organization for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa, agreed to also organize the 5th West African Cold Chain Summit & Exhibition WACCSE by OTACCWA alongside agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2023. WACCSE is the only cold chain event in West Africa, the most valuable in-depth and comprehensive B2B networking cold chain event serving the pharmaceutical, perishable farm produce, storage, and distribution industries.