While an economic recovery in the construction industry may still be several months away, there was a renewed sense of optimism on the trade show floor during The Precast Show 2011 in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 27-29. Trade show attendance topped 2,600 and both exhibitors and precast plant owners reported rising expectations for increased business during the second half of the year, according to Ty E. Gable, president of the National Precast Concrete Association. NPCA sponsored the trade show with the American Concrete Pipe Association.
“We interviewed many of our exhibitors and also talked with precast owners and executive managers and the prevailing mood was guardedly optimistic,” Gable said. “Most of the equipment manufacturers and precast producers are hopeful that the summer construction season will be better than last year, with a slow upward trend continuing through the year.”
This year’s Precast Show exhibitors filled 44,000 net square feet at the Charlotte Convention Center. That figure should rise significantly next year, Gable said. The Precast Show 2012 will be held March 1-3 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and will include the addition of the National Concrete Masonry Association as a co-sponsor.
“Although there are many variables that could change the picture, our forecasting right now calls for slow growth to continue through 2012,” Gable said, “so we’re planning to mirror that trend with a trade show that continues to get bigger and better. For additional coverage of The Precast Show 2011 and ongoing updates for The Precast Show 2012, visit www.theprecastshow.org
2011 , That is a long time ago!