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Even before pre-registration opened on Nov. 15, the Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE) was predicting approximately 8,000 visitors will attend its seventh annual event this coming Feb. 12 and 13 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

Billed as ����ӰԺ’s only national trade show dedicated to the concrete, construction and aggregate industries, it will feature a 2,787-square-metre exhibition floor with more than 350 national and international exhibitors.

“CCE continues to grow in size and scope each year, providing an excellent opportunity to source new equipment and services, foster relationships and stay abreast of industry advancements,” says its president, Stuart Galloway.

The prediction on the projected number of participants is based on attendance records at previous shows, says Galloway, noting the expo attracts attendees from across ����ӰԺ and the Unites States, with some also from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“I guess they do a Google search,” says Galloway, when asked how people outside of North America learn about the show.

This year’s expo will offer a number of new enhancements. For example, a section of the exhibition floor will be reserved for an operation area that will allow attendees to test drive machinery such as telehandlers, provided they have required qualifications, he says.

A new dedicated forming, shoring and scaffolding pavilion has also been added and will be comprised of exhibits and booths showcasing all of the major suppliers and manufacturers in ����ӰԺ.

As well, Milwaukee Tools “has gone all in” with an approximately 930-square-metre pavilion featuring talks and demonstrations of its MX cordless concrete power tools.

In other areas of the exhibition there will be displays of an array of equipment crucial to the industry such as floor grinders and concrete polishers, he says.

A major component of the expo will be a full catalogue of educational sessions. With the exception of a handful, all of the seminars are new and not repeats of ones offered in the past, says Galloway.

“We really want to enhance the experience of the show.”

Some of the sessions will include How to Master a Safer and More Successful Pour with a Pump; Advancing Beyond Net-Zero Construction with Insulated Concrete Forms; and The Future of Concrete is Education, which will focus on the challenges the concrete industry faces. It will be presented by Luc Bédard, directeur général, Association béton Québec.

Other sessions will include a panel discussion on Women in Concrete and an update on changes being made to Ontario’s Construction Act by Glenn Ackerley, partner at WeirFoulds LLP.

First conceived in 2016 and then officially launched two years later, the expo brings together the players in ����ӰԺ’s concrete and construction industries in one location, with an emphasis on the Canadian market, says Galloway.

“The CCE has filled a void in the construction market as it continues to grow around 20 per cent each year, providing resources for general contractors, concrete contractors, specifiers and all levels of government.”

As pre-registration is now open, the CCE is recommending that interested participants take advantage of a $30 fee, which is a 50-per-cent saving over the onsite registration cost of $60.

“That will ensure you skip onsite registration lineups,” says Galloway.

For more information and registration visit .