The Concrete Institute of Australia’s Biennial National Conference, Concrete 2017 was held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, from 22nd October, 25th October, 2017.

Craig, Carol and Aiden (HBM Group)  traveled from Sydney to Adelaide on Sunday, proceeded to bump in at approximately 4pm, and were then ready for an early start on Monday morning.  

At the Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, Craig Heidrich (CEO) was awarded life membership to the Concete Institute of Australia. Craig thanked the ADAA Members, as well as close friends and encouraged the next generation to become involved with the Institute as much as possible. 

The ADAA exhibit included displays of sample materials, product/membership information, past editions of Coal Ash Matters as well as lollies and the famous USB man. An iPad was also used to feature the Association’s website and proved a useful tool in demonstrating to delegates how simple it was to find product, member and safety information online.

The Conference began with registrations at 8.00am with the plenary sessions underway by 9.00.am. The Ash Development Association of Australia booth was manned during all breakout sessions.  Over the duration of the Conference many domestic and international delegates were keen to ask technical questions in regard to the end uses of the products displayed. 

Conference highlights included:
∗    8 keynote speakers
∗    525+ registrants, including 140+ international delegates
∗    59 exhibiting companies, 17 sponsors
∗    158 technical papers

The theme of the conference, “Advances in Concrete Materials & Structures” covered topics such as materials, research, design, construction and innovation.  The Conference provided a forum for the sharing of ideas and experience through the formal presentations, industry displays and contact between delegates.  It was the concrete industry’s pre-eminent technical and social event in the southern hemisphere for 2017.

The Next CIA Event is FIB-2018 in Melbourne, followed by Concrete 2019 in Sydney. The ADAA will update readers with event details as they are released.