ACI has made the difficult decision to transition the
ACI Concrete Convention
to an ALL-VIRTUAL Convention, October 2021
The ACI 2021 Fall Convention was scheduled to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on October 17-21, but the committee has decided it is best for all to be all vurtual.
This Fall Convention will have a robust schedule that includes traditional in-person activities, along with virtual meetings. Select programming will also be available live or on-demand to attendees who choose to attend virtually. Registration is open online, with two specific options:
1) FULL IN-PERSON programming and meetings in Atlanta, Georgia:
includes access to all:
• “Opening Session”
• “Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards”
• 5 Technical sessions with 55 papers
• Committee meetings
• Sessions (live and on-demand)
• Exhibit hall
• Special events
• “Concrete Mixer”
• Social events
• President’s Reception
• On-demand access to recordings
Guest Registration:
To register a guest, you must add the guest to the attendee online registration form. The guest registration fee includes:
• Daily breakfast Sunday-Wednesday
• Opening Reception
• Concrete Mixer
• President’s Reception
Please note, there will no longer be a Guest Social on Monday afternoon. A daily breakfast enhancement at the Guest Hospitality will take its place. Guest registration does NOT include access to any other convention activities.
2) Virtual Registration: for attendees who choose remote participation, with on-demand access to recordings.
Includes access to:
• 5 Technical sessions with 55 papers (live and on-demand)
• Select special event content-“Opening Session”
• Select special event content-“Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards”
• Student Events:
-Student Competition
-Student Networking Event
-Student Forum
-Student Lunch
Note: Committee meetings are not included with virtual technical sessions and are only available to in-person attendees.
Discounted rates are offered until September 12, 2021.
Full details, including a comprehensive schedule are being finalized and will be available soon. Currently, program can be downloaded: www.concrete.org/Portals/0/Files/PDF/ACI_F21_Preview.pdf
ACI will be following the health and safety requirements set by the local, state, and federal governments at the time of the convention. As of July 2021, masks and social distancing are not required, but are recommended for those who are unvaccinated. Masks are still required in government buildings and on public transportation, including the airport. Meeting rooms at the Hilton Atlanta will be set to normal convention capacities. Note: The Georgia Aquarium—the location of the Concrete Mixer—does require masks for all attendees when not eating/drinking.
The goal of the ACI Conventions is to collaborate on concrete codes, specifications, best practices, latest research, case studies, and the opportunity to earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs).
5 Featured Technical Sessions:
A total of 55 technical sessions will be presented live in Atlanta, GA, and broadcast virtually. Sessions will be available on-demand in the event platform within 48 hours of the live broadcast, providing substantial opportunity to advance knowledge and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)/Professional Development Hours (PDHs). Of the 55+ sessions, five featured sessions include:
ACI 301‐20 Specifications for Concrete: 2-part session: To show the design and construction team should use ACI 301 when it is referenced in Project Specifications with an emphasis on understanding the relationship between ACI codes and specifications. Topics include modifications to many of the default requirements within the specification and an introduction to new topics. Moderated by Aimee Pergalsky and Michelle L. Wilson.
Sustainability Considerations for Concrete Pavements: Concrete plays a critical role in building the communities in which we live and work. Therefore, we have a responsibility to consider sustainability as we construct our built environment, and to protect it from the disruptive threats we are now facing. Speakers will explore the many sustainability challenges affecting concrete pavements. This session will be of interest to owners, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers. Moderated by Sherry O. Sullivan.
Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) – Hot Topics: In the last decade ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has significantly attracted the interest of researchers and practitioners due to its material performance and its potential for innovative practical applications. It has become one of the most influential materials in the construction industry in the 21st century. After years of innovations in material, structural and architectural design what are the current UHPC hot topics? This 3-part session will invite national and international research groups, material suppliers and contractors to share their knowledge of hot topics of UHPC. Moderated by Kay Wille.
What I Wish I Knew: Work-Life Balance: What I Wish I Knew session, aims to provide insights on the life of a young professional in the concrete industry. This session will explore the challenges, factors, problems, and solutions of having a good work-life balance. The panel will discuss the different points of view and specific challenges they face to maintain the balance. The panel, in addition to sharing their experiences, will discuss a variety of solutions and techniques to help other tackle their work life balance challenges. Moderated by Danielle Kennedy and Mohamed ElBatanouny.
Research Development and Applications of FRP Reinforcements: Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) Reinforcements have become one of the most used construction materials during the last decade. ACI-440 Committee is leading the writing of design standards and guidelines and is sponsoring these full-sessions. This 4-part session will highlight and collect the most recent research, development, and application of FRP-Reinforcements in the concrete industry. Numerous important topics related to external and internal FRP-reinforcements will be presented. Moderated by Radhouane Masmoudi.
Additional Highlights:
Opening Session and Keynote Presentation: The official start to the ACI 2021 Convention:
Welcome address by Cary Kopczynski, President-ACI
Keynote speaker Thomas M. Koulopoulos will discuss the topic “Revealing the Invisible: How Artificial Intelligence is About to Change Everything.”
ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards: Honor exceptional concrete construction from around the world.
International Lunch: Speaker Sergio Alcocer will discuss recent advances in research, design, and construction practice on the seismic rehabilitation of buildings in Mexico.
Architects’ Day Lunch: Speaker Kelly Roberts will discuss the effect of embodied carbon on the concrete industry and strategies to reduce emissions.
Concrete Mixer: Join ACI attendees and guests for an evening of networking, entertainment, and great food at the beautiful Georgia Aquarium.
President’s Reception: Cary Kopczynski, President-ACI invites all convention attendees to the President’s Reception, where you will have the opportunity to network with committee Chairs, chapter Presidents, and international attendees.
Click to go to PDF of Program
Throughout the convention, ACI will hold hundreds of committee meetings, 55+ technical sessions, an industry trade exhibition, networking events, and more.
The ACI Concrete Convention is an opportunity to showcase companies, projects, current events, research, and offers numerous networking events where you can expect to meet with many of the concrete industry’s professionals. Attendees may also visit the exhibit hall to learn more about the many products and services offered by exhibitors.
ACI Online: www.aciconvention.org is now mobile optimized, giving you access to the Meeting Schedule, My Schedule, Sessions, and Future Conventions from virtually anywhere.
ACI Social Media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/american-concrete-institute
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmericanConcreteInstitute/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/concreteaci/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/concreteaci
#aciconvention
For Convention 2021 details, please go to: www.aciconvention.org
Convention Preview Program PDF, please click on image above, or go to: www.concrete.org/Portals/0/Files/PDF/ACI_F21_Preview.pdf