Visitors will be inspired by watching an incredible sculptor and a highly-skilled artist at work during the Concrete Decor Show at the Phoenix Convention Center. LOCATION OF EXHIBITS: North Hall, 300 Level, Phoenix Convention Center

Richard Winget of Authentic Environments will be simulating an archaeological find by carving out a dinosaur skull and ribs ... as if discovered deeply embedded in sedimentary rock. This ambitious sculpture will be 5 feet high and 10 feet wide. Winget is an artisan and relief sculptor working to craft geographically accurate artificial rock formations for exhibits, rock and water features and themed attractions. I can't wait to discover what it will look like.

Shay Davis is a surrealist-style, fine art painter and concrete muralist who will also work during the show. Along with Julio Hallack, he worked on the Koi Pond multidimensional "trompe l'oeil" installed at the Children's Museum of Phoenix. How could he top this?


Koi Pond by Shay Davis and Julio Hallack. Photos courtesy of Miracote.

Click here for more information

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show.

P.S. If you haven't heard about the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM party, check back for exciting news.

On March 16th in Phoenix, two icons in designing with concrete will present the keynote address "Making a [Design] Difference: Creativity + Sustainability Matter." Internationally acclaimed Phoenix-based architect Will Bruder, AIA, president of Will Bruder + Partners, and renowned designer, Fu-Tung Cheng, principal of Cheng Design Inc., of Berkeley, Calif., will set the tone for a day of thought-provoking presentations.

Will Bruder has said, "Concrete is the liquid stone of our epoch," and has used concrete in award-winning projects that range from libraries to commercial buildings and residences. Fu-Tung Cheng has been a frequent collaborator. Cheng has also authored numerous books on concrete uses for residential design and countertops. The keynote breakfast promises a lively debate about whether today's criteria for sustainability are sustainable -- and what concrete got to do with it? Breakfast starts at the Sheraton Phoenix Hotel on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 a.m., followed by the dynamic duo at 8:30 a.m.

The keynote is part of a Pre-Conference Program offered by the Concrete Decor Show & Decorative Concrete Spring Training to provide the building industry an opportunity to learn more about creative uses for concrete as a green building material for new construction and renovation. Ticket Prices: A ticket for the keynote breakfast is $45, and a March 16th One Day conference pass that includes the keynote presentation is $170. REGISTER

The Sky Arc residence pictured below is one of Will Bruder's many award-winning projects that make use of polished concrete floors in residences situated on challenging sites.

The seminar, "Producing Sensory Concrete for Fun & Profit" at the Concrete Decor Show on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 1-3:00 pm will cover the dynamics of the collaborative process Michael Miller and his colleagues use for managing large scale projects. Attendees will learn about how to find, sell, design and manage themed or art-driven multifinish projects such as casinos, malls and supermarkets.

Michael Miller calls his work SENSORY CONCRTE because it accentuates the inherent character and flaws of concrete to achieve a different kind of individuality in each project. He calls himself the concretist, and defines that as "one who practices concrete poetry", although he is often also a colorist brought in to projects by architects who want concrete to harmonize with its surroundings and other materials. He and his associates provide durable concrete interior flooring and exterior paving for private, commercial, and public clients for project size ranges from less than 100 square feet in a recently completed art museum to over 500,000 square feet for a shopping mall.

Course Code: WE 17G REGISTER

John Schneider, a leading expert on the topic of moisture remediation, will speak at the Concrete Decor Show in March 2010.

Concrete moisture emissions related failures affecting floor coverings and coatings are one of the most challenging and expensive problems facing designers, floor covering installers and building owners, according to John Schneider of Arizona Polymer Floorings. "Moisture related failures amounting to more than 2 billion dollars have been documented over the past two decades, and the figures continue to grow by millions of dollars each year," he says. "However, testing and new methods for prevention can provide practical solutions."

Schneider will provide a technical training program to update flooring contractors and installers on the methods for Concrete Moisture Mediation. He will teach contractors about testing, evaluating and effectively remediating concrete floors with moisture issues in the seminar, "Concrete Moisture Mitigation: Turning Moisture Problems into Profits".

REGISTER

The course is scheduled on Wednesday, March 17th at 1:00 PM -- course code WE76T.

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show.

Steven Ochs and Gerald Taylor completed a beautiful and colorful 100-foot-long serpentine snake mural on the arrival sidewalk at the Children's Museum of Phoenix today. The story of this gift to the local community by concrete artisans already made statewide news. SEE FULL STORY

Tamryn Doolan of Surface GelTek and six students from the Franklin Police and Fire High School of Phoenix assisted Art Professor Steven Ochs of Southern Arkansas University, shown on right by the sidewalk at the Children's Museum.

Steven Ochs and Gerald Taylor will lead a course on "Managing Collaborative Public Works Projects Using Decorative Concrete" on March 16, 2010, at the Concrete Decor Show. REGISTER

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show. Digital photo by phone from onsite today at 12:17 PM Mountain Standard Time.

Are you taking advantage of the increasing opportunities to get in on federally funded projects? Tamryn Doolan will provide some insights and assistance in the 2 hour seminar on Friday, March 19, 2010 at 10:00am. This business strategies course will help contractors understand what it takes to become eligible and navigate the procedures necessary to compete for contracts on new building, renovation, improvements and maintenance of government and military buildings and facilities. Contracts for public funding must meet specific quotas for contracting with small businesses and other disadvantaged companies. However, contractors must be listed and update their records in the Central Contractor Registration database to remain eligible. Find out more.

Business strategies courses and general sessions are included in the Concrete Decor Show 4-Day Pass that costs just $175! It's a bargain REGISTER

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show.

The Pre-Conference Program of the Concrete Decor Show at the HQ hotel on March 16th will deliver 360-Degree Views of architectural and decorative concrete in the bigger context of the building industry presented by Concrete Decor, its Media Partners and other sponsors.

This event is being promoted to the AES sector for architects, engineers and specifiers. Seminars and lively panel discussions on important topics will arm attendees with useful and actionable strategies to bring back to their organizations. Some courses offering AIA/CES continuing education credits are included. For those who are immersed in the decorative concrete business, it is also an opportunity to interact with design and building professionals who are involved in other stages and aspects of the construction industry, whose opinions of decorative concrete and concrete products can influence our livelihood. Download the pdf PRESHOW PLANNER

We Are Partnering with Respected Industry Publications as Our Media Partners: -Architectural West -Concrete Homes -Concrete Monthly -Extreme How-To -The Journal of Architectural Coatings -Traditional Building

Print Advertising and/or editorial and calendar listings for the event are being carried by these Media Partners, plus a wide variety of building industry publications.

Readers outside the decorative concrete business will gain more information about the uses and benefits through these publications and their websites, plus Concrete Network who is a founding sponsor. More than 150,000 Pre-Show Planners will be distributed to promote our founding sponsors, sponsors and exhibiting companies.

The story of Decorative Concrete will be shared beyond the event... Before, During and After March of 2010.

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show.

Here is a great way to start the weekend:

Thinking about this expression with a photo provided by Shellie Rigsby of Acanthus Inc. Concrete Stain Designs, an artisan whose Joie de vivre is always evident in her work.

Shellie is providing some creatively inspiring courses for Decorative Concrete Spring Training in March 2010. She will present a feast of visual ideas in the seminar Gorgeous, Graphic & Green Concrete Artistry on Tuesday, March 16th Shellie will collaborate with Randy Klassen of Klassen Concrete teaching a business course on Project Management for Decorative Concrete on Thursday morning, and a seminar that offers A Comprehensive Guide to Staining Materials and Methods on Thursday afternoon, March 18th. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK! REGISTER

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show. Photo courtesy of Acanthus Inc.

Learn about artistic concrete floor staining from Gaye Goodman, one of the industry's true artists and innovators.

Based on twenty-five years of fine art training and practice, Gaye brings a unique perspective to the courses she teaches for serious stain professionals. As owner of Faux Real Floors she offers essential tips for successful quality control, customer care and winning projects based on quality instead of price.

See inspiring examples of a wide range of artistic approaches to staining in the level two seminar Transforming the Slab: An In?nite Variety in Staining by Gaye Goodman of Faux Real LLC on Friday, March 19th at the Concrete Decor Show. She will share her experience how she uses the watercolorlike versatility of acid-staining to produce custom concrete floors.

Gaye Goodman is also leading a hands-on workshop: Advanced Artistic Techniques for Concrete Staining, which is scheduled on Wednesday, March 17 (WE06W) and repeated Thursday, March 18 (TH11W). REGISTER

Posted by Sherry Boyd, Director of Marketing & Communications, Concrete Decor Show. Photos courtesy of Gaye Goodman.