Cement your 2026 World of Concrete schedule

By Emma Peterson. 

With over 150 education sessions, it’s time to start planning! 

World of Concrete (WOC) is the place to be if you are looking to level up your knowledge about the masonry and cement industries. Whether you need business advice or specific technical training, you won’t want to miss a moment of the in-depth WOC education program. Here are some of the top sessions and educational events that we are looking forward to! 

Featured education sessions 

I-9 compliance and ICE audits: What employers need to know 

Taught by the incredible Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese, this seminar will cover the legal knowledge and tools needed to protect your business and ensure compliance with federal immigration laws. It will be hosted on Monday, January 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  

Robotic and other high tolerance floors: Specifying, testing and achieving acceptable tolerances 

Looking to gain a better understanding of various high tolerance floor specifications and how to meet them? This session on Tuesday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. taught by Jerry Holland (Structural Services Inc.) and Justin Jefferis (Structural Services Incorporated) is a must-attend. 

Manufactured stone veneer: Efficient modified mortar installations and eliminating costly mistakes 

This session, hosted on Tuesday, January 20 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will take attendees through “assessing substrates, modified mortar options and selection and outlining the crucial steps for mixing modified mortars.” It is taught by Westlake Royal Stone Solutions’ Jeff Tew.  

Tours, luncheons and breakfasts 

Hoover Dam and Bypass Bridge tour 

Led by Rick Yelton, WOC’s editor and chair of the ACI 120-History committee, this incredible tour will take you around two of the world’s most famous concrete structures – Hoover Dam and the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Attendees will not only get to see these structures up close, but they will also get Rick’s behind-the-scenes knowledge about how they have impacted the concrete industry. There will be two tours, one on Sunday, January 18 and the other on Friday, January 23.  

Breakfast with the experts 

Hosted by Master Builders Solutions, this is your opportunity to get breakfast and pick the minds of some of the industry’s experts. With start times all three days at either 6:45 a.m. or 8:15 a.m., this is your opportunity to get your questions answered. Questions should be directed to seminars@worldofconcrete.com. 

Concrete polishing luncheon 

Presented by the Concrete Polishing Council (CPC), this interactive luncheon creates a space for you to learn directly from polishing contractors about how they have used their CPC membership to grow their businesses. The luncheon will be hosted from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20. Direct questions to seminars@WorldofConcrete.com or to Rick Yelton at 630-605-7203. 

Economic forecast breakfast with Ed Sullivan and Pierre Villere 

If there’s any takeaway from the economics of the last year, it’s that anything and everything can change. This breakfast (hosted on Wednesday, January 21 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m.) is your opportunity to hear from distinguished economists Ed Sullivan and Pierre Villere about critical market projections and emerging trends to watch. 

Quality in concrete slabs luncheon 

Hosted by World of Concrete and American Society of Concrete Contractors, this luncheon gives you the opportunity to hear from a distinguished panel of concrete contractors and industry experts about their experiences producing durable concrete slabs in today’s environment. It will be hosted on January 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

3D construction printing luncheon 

And last but not least, World of Concrete will be hosting a final luncheon on Thursday, January 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This one will feature expert discussions of 3D construction printing in both residential and commercial marketplaces. Specific questions can be sent to seminars@WorldofConcrete.com or to Rick Yelton at 630-605-7203. 

Interactive workshops 

Monday, January 19 

• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Train-the-trainer: Fall protection end user 
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Estimating and risk management 
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Train-the-trainer: Overhead crane 

Tuesday, January 20  

• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Train-the-trainer: Construction forklift 
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Growing from laborer to leader 
• 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Train-the-trainer: Mobile elevated working platforms 
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Maximum productivity: Time management, time budgeting and organizational strategies 

Wednesday, January 21 

• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. –  From jobsite to bottom line: Using financials to improve profitability 
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Train-the-trainer: Rigging and signaling 
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Women at work: Tools, allies and strategies for career growth in construction 

Thursday, January 22 

• 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Engineering: Designing for constructability 
• 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Engineering focused full-day package 
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Engineering: Bridging the gap between the general contractor and the engineer 

Spanish and bilingual sessions 

Monday, January 19 

• 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – PTI Spanish language level 1 unbonded pt installation certification 

Tuesday, January 20  

• 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – PTI Spanish language level 1 unbonded pt installation certification 
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – AI test drive: An interactive education session and reception 

Wednesday, January 21 

• 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Mejora tu liderazgo, haz tu empresa más competitiva y aumenta tu rentabilidad 
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – ACI concrete flatwork associate, finisher and advanced finisher review seminar 
• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – From pilot to productivity: How leaders operationalize new tech 
• 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Fundamental principles of high-quality concrete 

Thursday, January 22 

• 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Sealers & Surface Protection to Ensure Proper Selection 
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher Written Examination 

Conclusion 

Overall, whatever sessions you attend or speakers you listen to, you are bound to walk away from the 2026 World of Concrete show with a better understanding of the masonry and cement industry and plenty of new ideas to kick off your year with. You can check out the entire education program schedule online. Also, if you’re at the show, make sure to stop by The Coffee Shops booth in South Hall lobby during a break between sessions and say hi! 

And for those of you who haven’t already gotten tickets to WOC, The Coffee Shops is giving away three education super passes for the show! The giveaway is open until December 20, 2025, so make sure to enter for a chance to win!