Another World of Concrete is history – and what an event it was! There was record attendance (over 90,000), a record number of exhibitors (over 1,700), and a record amount of exhibit space (over 900,000 square feet). In spite of a slow housing market, people flocked to Las Vegas. CFA members also supported the event. The housing industry is slow but that provides an excellent opportunity to get out of the office and see what’s new.

Attendance was fantastic again at the CFA Winter meeting, one of our two annual premier networking events, but we were better prepared for the crowd. Our count was 375 and the number of companies sponsoring this year’s event was again a record. Please make sure you acknowledge the contributions of these great CFA supporters — they are listed on page 5 of this issue.

This event continues to evolve from past experiences where we’ve heard you say give us plenty of food, ample drink, and a fun place to visit with our peers. Many of you have already expressed that we may have found just that in the Nine Fine Irishmen restaurant. While a hotel venue may gives us more space, the costs for food and drink are usually at least 50% higher. We’ll continue to look for optimum settings for this incredible get-together, but don’t be surprised if we return to our Irish friends.

Speaking of premier network events, it is time to start planning your trip for this summer’s Annual Convention (it is more than simply a meeting). The venue is the Stoweflake Resort located in the quaint New England village of Stowe, Vermont. Stowe is about 30 minutes east of Burlington, Vermont (closest city with commercial air service) and about 3 hours from Albany, New York and Hartford, Connecticut. Boston is a similar distance, but city traffic or falling precast concrete panels from the “Big Dig” project might slow you down.

The area offers something for everyone. Stowe has specialty shops for those so inclined and plenty of restaurants, including an award winning on-site restaurant, Winfield’s Bistro and adjacent Wine Cellar. Alpine slides, biking, canoeing or kayaking, carriage rides, a covered bridge tour, horseback riding, and gondola rides are just a few of the fun, family activities in the area. Of course no trip to Vermont would be complete without a tour of the Ben and Jerry ice cream factory. It’s located just off the interstate on your way to Stowe. I personally checked it out and feel it is CFA worthy. The friendly concierge in the hotel lobby will help you arrange your free time.

Read more about the meeting on pages 10 and 11 of this issue in “CFA Convention Update.” I look forward to seeing you this summer in Stowe.