A resource for anyone interested in global business, culture, sustainability, and travel. Here you’ll find news, updates, best practices, trade shows, and even trade leads.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2nd annual Global Forum on May 10 and 11, 2022. The forum focused on how government and business leaders can address global challenges
Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of international affairs for the U.S. Chamber, set the stage for the day’s programming. He summarized three major issues affecting the interconnected global economy, as well as some significant opportunities American businesses have to impact the global economy.
World leaders are failing to prepare for a new era of complex and often unpredictable risks to peace as profound environmental and security crises converge and intensify, according to a major report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report, Environment of Peace: Security in a New Era of Risk, offers policymakers principles and recommendations for navigating this volatile future.
The manufacturing and supply chain community came together in March for a return to in-person trade shows with a record-setting MODEX event, according to show producer MHI. More than 37,047 visitors connected with over 857 exhibitors across 405,000-square-feet of exhibit space at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center.
This was the largest MODEX event to date for MHI, with 20% more visitors than the last pre-pandemic show – MODEX 2018. Additionally, the direct economic impact of this event to the Atlanta area is estimated to be $45 million.
“MODEX 2022 was a huge success and a dramatic return to in-person events for the supply chain industry, said John Paxton, CEO of MHI. “After two years, exhibitors and attendees were excited to be there and energized by the opportunity to connect and get back to the business of discovering the latest supply chain technology and innovation in-person.”
The excitement on the show floor and the educational events is a sign not only of the pent-up demand for the latest solutions and technology, but also the overall strength of this industry. “Attendees representing the Fortune 500, the top 100 retailers and consumer goods firms brought large teams to MODEX to source the latest innovations and to learn leading trends impacting supply chains,” said Daniel McKinnon, executive vice president of Exhibitions at MHI. “They came to MODEX with plans in hand and budgets in place to make large deals on-site.”
The dominant trend at MODEX surrounded digital supply chain solutions including automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics. “We’re seeing a revolutionary acceleration in the adoption of these technologies in manufacturing and supply chain operations,” said Paxton. “The solutions on display this year reflected this trend.”
The next MHI-sponsored trade event will be ProMat 2023 held March 20-23 in Chicago’s McCormick Place. For more information on exhibiting at ProMat, or to register as an attendee, visit promatshow.com. The next MODEX will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in 2024.
World Trade Organization (WTO) members and stakeholders from every part of the supply chain shared perspectives on the underlying causes and trajectory of continued supply chain disruptions. They also discussed the resources, interventions and innovations needed to ease crippling disruptions, logjams and price hikes.
The World Ahead 2022 is The Economist’s outlook for 2002. The magazine’s correspondents and outside experts consider the new reality that is emerging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and ask what it means for politics, economics, business, science and culture.
Nearly 37,000 construction and masonry professionals convened in Las Vegas last week for peer-to-peer connection, deal-making, education, and competition. World of Concrete, Informa Markets’ premiere exhibition serving the thriving construction and masonry industries, concluded the event’s 47th annual event held from January 17-20 – at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
World of Concrete encompassed 632,000-square-feet of space, hosting over 1,100 industry-leading suppliers in the expo hall, just over 150 of whom were first-time exhibitors.
“The level of engagement from companies of all sizes and corners of the industry was very encouraging, especially following the past couple challenging years, and points to the revival of the trade show industry and continued growth of the construction and masonry sectors,” said Jackie James, Group Director, World of Concrete. “We are thrilled with the positive feedback we’ve received from our community, buyers and suppliers alike, and look forward to seeing a wealth of new business partnerships and industry innovation resulting from this week’s event.”
New this year, and central to World of Concrete’s core values, the exhibition organizers formalized the event’s commitment to sustainability in collaboration with renewable energy partner/sponsor HILTI. The program include three objectives: inspiring sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and social responsibility – each pledge supporting the event’s commitment to shaping the concrete industry for a sustainable future.
World of Concrete 2023 will be held Jan. 16-19, 2023. Learn more on the show’s website.
A new reality is emerging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic
The World Ahead 2022 is The Economist’s guide to the coming year. The magazine’s correspondents and outside experts consider the new reality that is emerging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and ask what it means for politics, economics, business, science and culture.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the prospect of increasingly frequent and more intense natural and man-made disasters raise important questions about the resilience of the global economy to such shocks. The World Trade Report 2021 (WTR21) explores the role of trade, trade policy and international cooperation in building and supporting economic resilience. Please join us on Tuesday 16 November at the online launch of the WTR21, where the WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will introduce the publication followed by the presentation of the main findings of the report by the coordinators of the WTR21. They will be joined by expert panelists for a discussion moderated by Robert Koopman, WTO Chief Economist.
World of Concrete 2022 has all the new products, leading-industry suppliers, resources, and valuable information necessary to the concrete & masonry industries. This is the commercial construction industry’s first, largest and most important annual international event for professionals across the globe.
World of Concrete 2022 attendee registration is now open, and expectations are this will be THE event to attend to kick off the new year. After a very successful scaled-back return to live events in June of 2021, WOC 2022 promises to return to a robust, full-scale show, utilizing three indoor halls, and 4 outdoor exhibits and event lots, in additional to its world-class education program, and 1,000+ leading-industry suppliers already committed to exhibiting at this annual meeting place for the commercial construction community.
2022 areas of the show floor will include:
WEST HALL
Material Handling: If it’s new or trusted in material handling, it’s here: find trucks, excavators, paving equipment and more for material delivery, distribution, concrete placement, and earth moving.
World of Concrete General: Find equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction concrete and masonry industries.
NORTH HALL
The Producer Center: Featuring a comprehensive marketplace of materials, equipment, demos, specifically for concrete producers.
Technology for Construction: The innovation showcase featuring the newest software, products and tools for the commercial construction industry from top information technology and systems providers.
Precast: Featuring the latest products and technologies in the precast/prestressed production and site erection.
Robotics LIVE!: Discover how autonomous robotic equipment, 3D printing, and other innovations that assist workers are increasing the efficiency and safety on construction sites around the world.
Concrete Masonry: This area showcases everything for the producers of concrete masonry (block, segmental retaining wall units, veneer, slabs, pavers, and roof tiles) need to cast high quality units such, production equipment, supplies, admixtures, and pigments.
Concrete Reinforcement: Features the leaders in concrete reinforcement, showcasing reinforcement fabrication such bending, cutting, straightening, and machinery, along with job site materials including reinforced positioners & locators, epoxy-coated, steel, glass fiber, galvanized bar and all types of reinforcement accessories.
World of Concrete General: Find equipment, tools, products, and services for contractors who work with concrete and masonry in the commercial and residential segments.
Cement Production Pavilion: Features the leaders of the equipment and support services used in cement manufacturing: kilns, separators, mills, dryers, silos, bagging machines, and plant automation & instrumentation.
CENTRAL HALL
Concrete Repair & Demolition: View a display of the latest surface preparation equipment, scarifying, grinding, and sawing equipment. The area also showcases all type of grouts, mortars, sealants, joint fillers, and waterproofing materials needed to provide long lasting repairs.
Concrete Surfaces & Decorative: Explore the innovations that transform concrete surfaces into attractive and long-lasting surfaces including coatings, cleaning solutions, stains, pigments, and polishing tools that will help you capitalize on this expanding segment.
STUCCO LIVE!: Showcasing best practices for flashing, lathing and cement plaster applications for residential and commercial installations. Interact with instructors, product experts and designers to learn the most current trends in stucco applications. Stucco LIVE! is sponsored by the Stucco Manufacturers Association (SMA).
World of Masonry / WOC General: Find all things masonry, from scaffolding, products, tools, information, and emerging technology that professionals need to stay on the cutting edge.
Outdoor Events: See exciting championships, skills challenges, creative demos, and events you won’t want to miss.
Outdoor Exhibits: Featuring industry-leading exhibiting suppliers, live demos, heavy equipment, & decorative concrete products.
▸ Diamond Lots (Front of West Hall)
▸ Silver Lot (Front of North Hall)
▸ Riviera Lot (Front of West Hall)
The CIM Silent & Live Auction will take place on Wednesday, January 19, at 1:00 PM, with the silent auction occurring right before the live event.
The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program has developed into a key resource for populating the concrete industry with talented individuals with college degrees. Five universities strategically placed across the country offer four-year degrees in CIM. Today, there are more than 1,000 graduates of the program and another 500 students currently enrolled. This program is made possible, in large part, by the combined efforts of the national and local concrete industry. The National Steering Committee (NSC) for CIM, in collaboration with local patron groups at all five universities, provides both funding and oversight for the program. To date, World of Concrete has raised 13 Million-plus for the CIM program over the past 16 years.
You won’t find professional education like this anywhere else—the WOC Education Program is the best in the concrete and masonry industries. With more than 110 hands-on technical trainings and sessions that deliver useful insights into critical topics like finance and surveying (plus certification programs and interactive workshops), World of Concrete is the place to build the skills that matter now—and produce lasting success.
World of Concrete January 18-20, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
▸ January 17: Education
Register by 12/13/21 to save on Exhibits-Only fees and book your hotel through onPeak early for the best rates and locations at www.worldofconcrete.com.
For the latest show information, the WOC website is updated daily with all the latest events, educational offerings, and more.
Editor’s Note: Those planning to visit WOC 2022 must register online prior to the show, as there will be no onsite registration. World of Concrete 2022 will adhere to Informa AllSecure health and safety standards, as well as guidance from local authorities, and any venue or location-specific regulations.