Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Speakers: Taylor Thorp, Director of Technical Solutions & BIM Integration, PTAC Engineering, and Honglei Zhang, PE, LEED AP, Senior Project Engineer, Walters & Wolf Precast
Moderator: Jordan Watkins, PE, Chief Executive Officer PTAC
BIM technology helped to streamline material procurement and manufacture with decreased error rate caused by manually count and input.  The use of BIM also contributed to the enhancement of efficiency and accuracy of field activity, including field embed placement, panel alignment, less paperwork, better field issues coordination, etc., with the default tool in BIM and house customized Revit plugins.

Friday, February 9: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Speaker: Jessica Mederson, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Moderator: PCI staff
Understanding the threats posed by climate change and incorporating resilience into building design and the construction process are pivotal strategic priorities for our industry. 
Join us as we discuss the legal exposure the precast industry can face as a result of climate change, the resources and legal tools available to the industry to face these challenges, and how incorporating resiliency can protect buildings, communities, and the bottom line.

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Speakers: Company Presenters
Moderator: PCI staff 
Join PCI and NPCA in advancing the industry as we present unique solutions that move us beyond “the way things have always been done.” The session will highlight current best practices and emerging technologies being developed for and with the precast concrete industry.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Speaker: Joe Bunkers, LPCI, President/CEO, Gage Bros. Concrete Products Inc.
Moderator: Randy Wilson, PCI staff

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Moderator: PCI staff
This session will feature the use of precast concrete in Japan, including the following presentations:

Example of stadium construction using precast prestressed concrete structure
Speaker: Shota Ide, P.S.Mitsubishi Construction CO.,Ltd.

Town Hall Facility using wood and prestressed concrete beam 
Speaker: Satoko Koyama, Taisei Corporation

Research on Low-Carbon Concrete for Precast Prestressed Concrete Members 
Speaker: Hitoshi Moriya, Fuji P.S Corporation

Design and construction of precast and prestressed concrete for New Ibaraki City Civic Center
Speaker: Junya Yoshimura, Takenaka Corporation

Design and Construction of Pedestrian Deck with Diagonal Prestressed Concrete Frames “TOYOSU MiCHi NO EKI”
Speaker: Hiroyuki Kuboyama, Shimizu Corporation 

Friday, February 9: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Speakers: John J. Myers, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Rudi Seracino, North Carolina State University
Moderator: PCI staff
This session will review advancements in the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in precast and prestressed concrete components and structures. Presentations will address the use of FRP internal reinforcement and how FRP is used to restore and supplement the capacity of existing precast concrete components. Presenters will review applications that have been used in the field and demonstrated in the laboratory.

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenter: Claude Goguen, P.E., NPCA
As much as we try to minimize it, repairing finished precast products is part of the manufacturing process and should abide by quality materials selection and proper application techniques. Repairs made at a plant already adds to costs, but having to address a poor repair on a job site increases that cost significantly. During this session, we discuss recommendations that can make the repair process more efficient while also ensuring quality work that lasts as long as the structure. We focus on repairs for issues such as spalls, chips, cracks, honeycombing and bug holes. We evaluate the optimal materials section for the repair type, the concrete substrate condition and the environmental conditions. We also discuss best practices for applications. We can't avoid repairs 100 percent, but we can enhance the process's efficiency and repair quality which will lower costs and avoid those job site calls. 

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Panelists: Garret Brown, H2 Pre-Cast Inc.; Phillip Cutler, P.E., NPCA; Scott Grumski, Forney LP; Tim Sander, Gainey’s; Jason Tucker, P.E., Texas Department of Transportation
Moderator: Drew Wieser, Wieser Concrete Products Inc.
For more than 30 years, NPCA has committed to raising the bar for quality manufacturing within the precast concrete industry through its Plant Certificaiton program. Plants participating in the program are held to the strictest quality standards and receive an unannounced annual inspection to review their proceses. The panelists consisting of members of NPCA's QA/QC Committee will answer questions about the QC manual and the certification program and talk about industry standards and continous improvement. They also will discuss how to avoid common audit deficiencies plus provide tips and tools to conduct a self-audit at your plant.

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Presenter: Liz Wingenbach, Afinitas

The talent we need for our businesses to thrive have new and different needs, desires and exceptions. The difficult truth is that employers do not always realize that the efforts and resources they invest in to retain personnel can be "nice to have" but are not always the difference makers in retention. In this session, you will learn to pinpoint meaningful actions that align with your team's needs by gaining and understanding of how employment needs align to human survival needs.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Moderator: Claude Goguen, P.E., NPCA

Companies have positions to fill, and obtaining quality applications is essential to that. Perhaps it is time to look at recruitment strategies. How are you reaching out to potential applicants? Are your job postings design to attract? Are you leveraging all opportunities to build an applicant pipeline? During this session, panelists from different precast and product manufacturers share their experiences and advice on what has, and what hasn't worked for them. Panelsts discuss how to thoroughly assess current recruitment efforts to determine issues that hinder the process. Topics include recruiting through social media and using incentive programs. They also discuss how to attract applicants from baby boomers to Gen Z. Join for a sharing of wisdom and tips that benefit all manufacturers seeking to address workforce shortages. 

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 
Presenter: Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., Precast Concrete Association of New York

Precast culverts come in a large variety of sizes and configurations and have become the preferred product for stream crossings by owners, engineers and contractors due to ease of installation and the ability to withstand extreme runoff conditions. Box sections are commonly used for utility and pedestrian tunnels as well as for large tanks for stormwater detention, septic systems and fire cisterns. This session explores design aspects such as ASTM standards, design loadings and available software. It also looks at details for proper fabrication and installation.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., Precast Concrete Association of New York

The precast concrete industry is constantly grows and evolves, and companies strive to hire and cross-train employees. Ensuring employees get up to speed swiftly can improve teamwork, enhance efficiency, and help new hires quickly become integral team member. This course introduces precast concrete industry terminology, equipment, processes and concepts, and is intended for those who are either new to the industry or in roles outide of the typical production area. This session examine the similarities and differences between precast and cast-in-place concrete, addresses the benefits precast offers over alternative construction materials and helps attendees become well-versed in important industry terms. We will discuss different types of concrete used in the precast industry and common applications for each; look at typical raw materials and learn how they impact hardened concrete properties; and learn how concrete gains strength and hardens over time. We will also discuss production best practices - covering everything from proper aggregate storage and concrete consolidation, to curing and handling of precast products. Lastly, we will discuss fresh and hardened concrete tests and the importance of quality control and quality assurance.

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenters: Jon Maxwell, Atlas Concrete Products; Jeremiah Hurley, Speed Fab-Crete; Maxwell Pryor, Atlas Concrete Products

Precast concrete production involves many materials, machines and employees. Inevitably, challenges can pop up on any given day. Wouldn’t it be great to have a group of people in the room who do what you do and have some advice to offer? This course provides that opportunity. Bring your questions and join the discussion with experienced precast concrete managers and supervisors, who represent a variety of precast products. These NPCA Master Precasters® will share some of their most challenging situations and how they handled them. This will be an interactive course where attendees can share experiences and ask for advice from others who have been there. This exchange provides valuable ideas to take back and use when the next challenge falls in your lap.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenters: David Espino, Locke Solutions; Chad Arpe, Locke Solutions

This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of precast project management, focusing on key strategies and best practices for successful implementation.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Nicole Perrotta, NMP Leadership Transformations

How you present yourself in a leadership role matters because it impacts the way others perceive you. How they perceive you impacts your ability to lead with influence. In this workshop you will learn how to show up with intention, authenticity and influence to build a leadership brand that amplifies your impact. 

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenter: John Klassen, LHV Precast Inc.

A succession plan provides an organized and detailed path to transfer ownership of your business. It is how you retire. It also provides a vehicle for the company to maintain viability in the event of the sudden absence of the owner. In this session, we discuss why it is important to have a succession plan, when you should start to plan, and how to get started with planning. You'll learn how to set up a plan to successfully transition the ownership of your company to the next owner or generation.

Friday, February 9: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Speaker: Carl Harris, FPCI, Vice President, Carl Harris Co. Inc.
Moderator: PCI staff
This presentation will focus on several common types of rigging equipment used to handle precast concrete components in the plant and field. It will cover requirements for the identification and inspection of the rigging, including the appropriate OSHA and ASME safety standards applicable to rigging equipment. Some of the use criteria—including things to be cautious of and the proper handling of the rigging—will also be discussed.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 
Presenter: Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., Precast Concrete Association of New York

Precast culverts come in a large variety of sizes and configurations and have become the preferred product for stream crossings by owners, engineers and contractors due to ease of installation and the ability to withstand extreme runoff conditions. Box sections are commonly used for utility and pedestrian tunnels as well as for large tanks for stormwater detention, septic systems and fire cisterns. This session explores design aspects such as ASTM standards, design loadings and available software. It also looks at details for proper fabrication and installation.

Friday, February 9: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., Precast Concrete Association of New York

The precast concrete industry is constantly grows and evolves, and companies strive to hire and cross-train employees. Ensuring employees get up to speed swiftly can improve teamwork, enhance efficiency, and help new hires quickly become integral team member. This course introduces precast concrete industry terminology, equipment, processes and concepts, and is intended for those who are either new to the industry or in roles outide of the typical production area. This session examine the similarities and differences between precast and cast-in-place concrete, addresses the benefits precast offers over alternative construction materials and helps attendees become well-versed in important industry terms. We will discuss different types of concrete used in the precast industry and common applications for each; look at typical raw materials and learn how they impact hardened concrete properties; and learn how concrete gains strength and hardens over time. We will also discuss production best practices - covering everything from proper aggregate storage and concrete consolidation, to curing and handling of precast products. Lastly, we will discuss fresh and hardened concrete tests and the importance of quality control and quality assurance.

Friday, February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Presenters: Jon Maxwell, Atlas Concrete Products; Jeremiah Hurley, Speed Fab-Crete; Maxwell Pryor, Atlas Concrete Products

Precast concrete production involves many materials, machines and employees. Inevitably, challenges can pop up on any given day. Wouldn’t it be great to have a group of people in the room who do what you do and have some advice to offer? This course provides that opportunity. Bring your questions and join the discussion with experienced precast concrete managers and supervisors, who represent a variety of precast products. These NPCA Master Precasters® will share some of their most challenging situations and how they handled them. This will be an interactive course where attendees can share experiences and ask for advice from others who have been there. This exchange provides valuable ideas to take back and use when the next challenge falls in your lap.

Saturday, February 10: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Tim Sander, Gainey’s

This course cover topics relating to lifting and rigging precast concrete from a producer's perspective. Discussions include the considerations that facilities need to weigh to properly select and place lifting devices in precast structures.

Saturday, February 10: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Mel C. Marshall, P. Eng., Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.

There are many components to producing quality precast concrete products. Raw materials, mix design, reinforcing, consolidation and curing all play a part in achieving the final product. In this interactive class, attendees learn from an expert and from each other, including a discussion of best practices and solutions to production issues that precasters deal with every day. Bring questions as we will address your production issues and discuss how to resolve them.

Saturday, February 10: 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Hugh Martin, P.E., NPCA

Concrete is an amazingly strong and durable construction materials, but on its own, strength is limited. In precast structures, concrete and reinforcing work toegether to withstand a variety of loads during stripping, handling, transportation, installation and for the duration of its service life. The type, size and configuration of reinforcing elements are carefully designed, so proper fabrication and reinforcement during manufacturing are key processes to ensure the completed reinforced precast concrete structure performs to its potential. During this session, we cover various types of concrete reinforcement and discuss proper fabrication and placement of reinforcement assemblies. Learn how the type, size and position of reinforcing affects the strength and serviceability of an entire structure. Attendees analyze the purpose of reinforcing, the types and identifications and their applicable standards, basic tying and welding requirements, fabrication of cages and proper placement and securement before concrete is added.