World of Asphalt 2019, held February 12-14th at the Indiana Convention Center will offer asphalt contractors’ opportunities to expand their business and learn new skills. The 2019 show will feature over 440 exhibitors that offer a broad array of the newest products, technologies and services available to the industry. Check out the following pages full of products and education sessions and make note of the booth numbers of products and companies that interest you. We also feature things you can do with your crew and family when the show is over.
The rest of the issue is filled with session previews if you can't make it to Indiana, but if you do attend, be sure to visit Asphalt Contractor in Booth 17106 while you're at the show.
Session We’re Attending:
10 Commandments of Supervision
Tue. February 12, 7:30-9 a.m.
The promotion from worker to supervisor is one of the largest in anyone's career. It means going from pure task focus to a combination of task and relationships. Little, if any, management training is given to an employee prior to their promotion to supervisor. In this program, you will learn 10 things you can do to build your relationship and skills as a supervisor and prepare you for future leadership responsibilities.
In this session you will:
1. Learn how to improve your ability to work with others.
2. Learn the skills necessary to supervise and manage others.
3. Improve crew relations.
Eat Like a Local
Believe it or not, Indy's food scene is flourishing and was recently named "the most underrated food city in the U.S." by Condé Nast Traveler. There are a lot of delicious dining options in Indy, but here are the top spots the locals recommend:
Breakfast:
Martha Hoover’s Cafe Patachou is a must visit for both the farm-to-table sustainable menu and the impact of food and social change in Indianapolis.
- Known for: Farm fresh breakfasts of omelets and broken yolks or vegan Cuban breakfast. Locals will tell you the Patachou chicken salad is a lunch must.
- Drink menu:Five types of mimosa and prosecco cocktails, self-serve coffee bar, yogurt smoothies, and juices.
- Atmosphere: Multiple locations across the city have many things in common, such as the clean lines and fresh white walls that allow the light to focus on the bright and fresh plates.
Lunch:
Bru Burger Bar’s chef style and classic burgers, sandwiches and salads were crafted with bold flavors to satisfy any burger enthusiast’s craving.
- Known for: A hearty cheese and charcuterie “bru board” will start your meal off strong before you bite into gourmet beef, lamb, turkey and veggie burgers with toppings like sweet chili mayo and cucumber slaw or habanero hot sauce and havarti.
- Drink menu: 16 rotating craft bottles and draft options and over two dozen bourbons and whiskeys to drink straight or in a cocktail.
- Atmosphere: Sleek granite countertop bar with seating, brick walls, and wooden tables give off an intimate and comfortable dining experience. In the warm months, enjoy the patio that overlooks Mass Ave.
Dinner:
St. Elmo Steak House is Indy’s award-winning old world style restaurant that proves great service and classic cooking methods make for a timeless menu worth visiting again and again.
- Known for: World Famous Shrimp Cocktail with spicy, signature cocktail sauce, traditional steak cuts or chicken and seafood paired with potatoes or classic sides.
- Drink menu: Equally weighted wine and beer menus next to classic martinis, mules, and Elmo Colas.
- Atmosphere: Early 20th century decor inside the bar, large room, and private dining areas features wood paneled and brick walls with carefully curated art and photos.
Experience Indy
Whether you brought your whole family to the show or are looking for something fun to do in your downtime, Indianapolis offers some unique experience everyone will enjoy.
Indianapolis has emerged on the art and culture scene as a major player within the last 10 years. From public, free galleries to more quirky to professional spaces, Indy does art well. Pop into the Indianapolis Star Family Studio at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. This free, interactive space, for families to imagine, explore, create, share and collaborate with art in new ways. See details on the art galleries you can visit while you’re here at https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-art-galleries
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children's museum in the world. Named one of the best by Child magazine, the museum offers interactive exhibits exploring art, science, history and culture, a Dinosphere and planetarium. Over one million visitors each year enjoy this five-level playground with a 43-foot brightly colored Dale Chihuly 'Fireworks of Glass' sculpture hanging in the middle and a fully rideable antique carousel on the top floor.
If sports are more your scene, you’re in luck! The Indiana Pacers will play the Charlotte Hornets Monday, February 11th at 7 p.m. and the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday February 13th at 7 p.m. Get tickets here: https://www.nba.com/pacers/schedule
No trip to Indianapolis is complete without a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Take an IndyCar, pace car, or shuttle tour around the iconic 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway that welcomes 300,000 visitors each May, the Indy 500, is the ultimate family experience. Inside the oval is the Hall of Fame Museum, housing memorabilia, trophies and winning cars from the past century of open-wheel racing that will have your kids itching for a Matchbox car upgrade. Visit https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/ to buy tickets
Visit https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-top-family-attractions for more family friendly ideas.
Sips & Sounds
Just looking to unwind with an adult beverage and some music? We got you. Indy’s has an award-winning beer scene and a happening night life. Here are a few locations close to the convention center but a full list can be found at https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-where-to-eat
Ram Restaurant & Brewery: An independent, family-owned and operated restaurant business since 1971, The Ram now houses the Big Horn Brewing Company.
Howl at the Moon: This one-of-a-kind event venue hosts unforgettable functions with interactive and personalized entertainment provided by talented musicians.
Punch Bowl Social: This unique atmosphere offers a collection of unequalled music, food, games and beverages for you to enjoy.
Mayfair Taproom: A neighborhood pub serving Indiana's top-rated craft beers and contemporary comfort foods made with quality ingredients and served in a family-friendly environment.
Staying through the weekend and not sure what breweries to stop at? Take a brewery tour! Hop on a luxurious bus and sample beer at four different breweries. The bus is equipped with ice cold coolers, perfect for storing your purchases. Downtown Indy and Broad Ripple tours are available and last approximately 3.5 hours.
Session We’re Attending:
Best Practices for Milling & Profiling
Wed. February 13, 9:30-11 a.m.
More than any other pavement property, the traveling public wants a smooth surface on which to drive. The process starts with the milling or profiling operation to achieve optimum smoothness before paving. Achieving smoothness with the profiling operation puts more bonus dollars into the contractor's pocket.
In this session you will learn:
1. How to better understand the profiling machine operation, maintenance and new innovations.
2. Understand grade and slope control, new ski arrangements, and controls to facilitate smoother cutting and more efficient profiling operations.
3. How to determine the effect of cutter tooth patterns in relation to forward speed.
Session We’re Attending:
Improving Community Relations for Asphalt Companies
Thu. February 14, 7:30-9:00 a.m
Asphalt and aggregate companies offer significant advantages to communities across the country. Yet their contributions to modern society's quality of life are rarely communicated and are not generally well understood by the general public. Many companies have developed programs to connect with local communities, organizations, and neighbors, which can help improve a company's image and recognition in its community. This session will have two speakers providing perspectives from across the country that can help you establish or grow your own community engagement programs.
In this session you will:
1. Understand neighbors' concerns.
2. How to develop a community outreach process to minimize the disconnect between asphalt contractors and their communities.
3. How to proactively address and avoid conflict situations.
Session We’re Attending:
Paving Smoother - Using IRI to Evaluate Paving Operations
Thu. February 14, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
More than any other pavement property, the traveling public wants a smooth surface on which to drive. The importance cannot be understated: longer-lasting roads, improved fuel economy, driver comfort and, ultimately, financial incentives for the contractor. This session will focus on using IRI data to help the contractor do a better job of paving.
In this session you will:
1. Learn how the IRI test results can be used to identify paving issues such as take-off joints, rolling patterns and paver dynamics.
2. Understand the electronic controls for achieving smoothness.
3. Using ProVal to pinpoint paving issues and enhance paving operations.
