The Concrete Decor Show
& Decorative Concrete Spring Training

In March 2010, the foremost trainers in the business will converge on Phoenix to lead workshops for newcomers, experienced contractors and seasoned veterans. Workshops on March 17-19, 2010, will cover concrete staining, stenciling, stamping, polishing, engraving, resurfacing, repair, renovation, countertops, artificial rockwork, vertical features and artistic specialties. A pre-conference track March 16 will provide courses for architects, designers and builders, as well as business and marketing seminars for contractors, including "Starting a Decorative Concrete Business" and "Tapping Green Building Opportunities"

Winning Jobs In A Challenging Economy
"The recession can play for you, or against you," says writer and concrete artisan Shellie Rigsby. "Some contractors are winning in a value-driven smarket where it is not enough to have the lowest price. The successful contractor must deliver a quality product and creative installation at an affordable price. My advice: Don't just show up with a color chart; bring your imagination! The economy may have slowed, but there is no reason for decorative concrete contractors to have a slowdown. Adopt products that are gorgeous and green to get the jobs. Learn how to make jobs more profitable. New products, innovative techniques and a great attitude are all it takes. Come to Decorative Concrete Spring Training and you'll get them all."

Shellie Rigsby formed Acanthus Inc./Concrete Stain Designs, in Plano, Texas, in 1998. She offers AIA accredited courses and has been leading training for six years. Teaching and training are just part of her mission to advance the building industry with "uncompromising standards and unsurpassed craftsmanship." Rigsby will offer several workshops at the event in March 2010: "Gorgeous, Graphic, & Green: Water-based Stains That Get Top-notch Results And Improve Your Bottom Line" is an introductory workshop suitable for all levels. Shellie will also lead "Advanced Graphic Techniques: Imaginative Stenciling and Artwork for Concrete Surfaces," a Level 3 Workshop.

Investing In Training
"Training is the most important investment contractors can make no matter where they are in their career," according to Bob Harris, president of the Decorative Concrete Institute. "Through training, contractors learn ways to work smarter, not harder. Experienced veterans need training to stay fresh and take their business to the next level - to compete and win. Newcomers need a solid foundation of skills and knowledge, plus plenty of practice to avoid costly mistakes. Training is a good place to make mistakes and avoid the high cost of learning on your first paying projects. Each successful project helps a contractor to sell the next job."

I N D U S T R Y - L E A D I N G  T R A I N E R S
Clark Branum	Fu Tung Cheng	Bob Harris	Gaye Goodman	Shellie Rigsby
Melanie Royals	Tom Ralston	Glen Roman	Mike Miller	Doug Bannister
Julio Hallack	Frank Miller	John Anderson	Chris Sullivan	Pete Wagner
Doug Carlton	Buddy Rhodes	Jeff Kudrick	Nathan Giffin	Jeffrey Girard

Bob Harris will lead "Concrete Staining Fundamentals," Level 1 workshops that will cover ways to create an affordable but beautiful project. He will also teach Level 2 and 3 concrete stamping workshops.

Recognized worldwide for his contribution to decorative concrete training, he has authored guides that have sold more than 30,000 copies worldwide: Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Interior Concrete Floor, Bob Harris' Guide to Stamped Concrete, and Bob Harris' Guide to Concrete Overlays and Toppings. In addition to his own collection of step-by-step instructional DVDs, he has produced other professional training materials for organizations, including the Portland Cement Association, AGC-Laborers and the Concrete Network. In January 2009, Harris introduced his new line of Paladiano stamping tools.

Harris became an independent trainer because the need was there. "A decade ago there was no independent, unbiased source for training," he says. "Many product manufacturers charged contractors for a sales pitch and a good-luck handshake, saying, ‘Now get on with it!' There was not much information on how to organize your materials and plan your project or troubleshoot. Demonstrations on a small slab offered no clues on how to make good time on 30 yards or more of fresh concrete or information on what size crew it takes to do a big job. The details on product uses were provided in manufacturers' product training. The details that make the difference between an ordinary job and an extraordinary job were never mentioned. I decided this was my calling."

Business Opportunities In Concrete Polishing
"Polished concrete is a great flooring option for retail and commercial facilities, as well as factories and schools." says Peter Wagner, director, FGS PermaShine System. "It provides an easy to clean, high performance floor with a design flair." According to Peter demand for floor repair and reuse remains strong even when the economy is weak. "When new construction slows down, it is natural for owners to start fixing what they have. It's more cost-effective to polish existing concrete than to install a floor covering that will wear out and require replacement."

Peter Wagner is one of several instructors who will teach courses on grinding and polishing concrete at the event. He says, "If you have the skills to make an old slab new, meet green building criteria, and make it beautiful, then there are plenty of opportunities in this business. Remember that being properly educated is the foundation of your success."

Creating Artful Countertops And Features
"Concrete Decor has set the stage for a dynamic event," says Fu Tung Cheng, "and we look forward to participating in giving workshops and a seminar on our core approach at Cheng Concrete Training Academy: understanding the relationship between good design and honed technique to create a composition that elicits an emotion. Challenging your techniques to uphold the basic design principles of color, form and line moves the humble material of concrete into levels of the arts."

Training And Education For All Levels
Growth of the decorative concrete business depends upon creativity, quality workmanship and efficient methods, plus a little business and marketing savvy. The focus at the Phoenix event is delivering superior training and networking opportunities for decorative concrete contractors and specialty artisans. Spring Training will offer three levels of training and educational seminars. Participants will receive Certificates of Completion for courses.

• Level 1: Back to Basics Workshops will cover troubleshooting and pro­ject planning, plus ways to reduce the costs of doing business and improve profitability.
• Level 2: Intermediate Workshops for experienced contractors who want to be star players.
• Level 3: Advanced Workshops for seasoned veterans and supervisors will cover working in commercial construction and improving efficiency and productivity while retaining quality.
  

A blue-ribbon list of trainers will bring their expertise to the Decorative Concrete Spring Training.

Visit www.concretedecorshow.com for more information on the 2010 event and trainers.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Contact Sherry Boyd, director of marketing and communications, at sherry.boyd@protradepub.com for information on sponsorship opportunities.

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