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Precast Solutions Weekly |
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Precast Solutions Weekly features one construction project or news item each week that is associated with the precast concrete industry. These features range from rural highway work to the legislative changes in our nation's capital that continue to shape the face of the industry. Visit www.precast.org weekly for the latest from Precast Solutions Weekly.
For the week of Feb. 19 - 25, 2006
First-Ever Women in Concrete Forum
Sells Out at World of Concrete 2006
Expansion planned for networking event in 2007.
Sold out weeks in advance, the inaugural Women in Concrete luncheon and forum at last month’s World of Concrete was designed to bring together women working in the concrete construction industry. More than 200 women attended the event in Las Vegas to network, learn and identify issues related to the industry. With hundreds of professional women present -- representing all aspects of concrete construction -- the mood during lunch was lively as attendees shared work experiences and identified the next steps for the industry. In attendance was NPCA’s chairman, Joan Blecha, who offered industry advice and anecdotes for her peers.
The Women in Concrete presentations featured three noted industry women:
-- Joan Blecha, Chairperson for the National Precast Concrete Association, and President of Hanson Pipe and Products Southeast, Inc.
-- Susan Hollingsworth, CEO of Holes, Inc. and the first woman president of the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association
-- Deborah Henry, Ph.D. -- Director of Special Programs, Continuing Education/College of Arts & Sciences at University of Missouri, St. Louis
All three offered their industry experience and made a call to action for the women of concrete construction. Dr. Henry spoke to combating work-place discrimination, in all forms, while stressing education as the key to advancement in the tight-knit construction industry. Blecha and Hollingsworth stressed networking and the need to cultivate face-to-face events for women in concrete. All three agreed that participation in industry associations had given them an edge on the competition as well as a place to institute change -- in both attitudes and practice.
"The positive response we've had for this event has been incredible. We're excited to be part of creating this ongoing networking opportunity for women," says Kari Moosmann, Managing Editor and Women in Concrete conference organizer. "We plan to continue and expand the program next year."
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(Submit project information to Greg Snapper, NPCA Associate Editor, for inclusion in a future posting of Precast Solutions Weekly )
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