New Concrete Sessions at World of Concrete 2026

Through a partnership, PRO: An ACI Center of Excellence for Advancing Productivity and World of Concrete (WOC) 2026 will present two new educational sessions dedicated to improving constructability, collaboration, and productivity in concrete construction. These new offerings are designed for engineers, architects, designers, and construction professionals seeking practical strategies to enhance owner project value through better design and communication.

To register for these sessions or the full-day package, visit www.worldofconcrete.com. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited and discounted rates are available through December 12, 2025. Sessions will be taking place on Thursday, January 22, 2026. WOC 2026 is scheduled for January 20 to 22, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Session Schedule

Morning Session: “Engineering — Designing for Constructability”

• 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | $465 ($480 after December 12, 2025)
• Includes continental breakfast and continuing education hours.

 This session provides design professionals with tools and strategies to integrate constructability into every phase of a project. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how design decisions directly affect on-site productivity, performance, and safety. Topics include:

• Industry challenges to advancing concrete construction productivity
• Principles of designing for constructability
• Framing systems and constructability considerations
• Avoiding common pitfalls when designing slabs-on-ground
• Engineering of fiber-reinforced slabs-on-ground

Participants will enjoy networking with peers, engaging with industry leaders, and earning continuing education hours applicable to license renewal.

Featured speakers are Kim Basham, President, KB Engineering; Phil Diekemper, Executive Director, PRO: An ACI Center of Excellence for Advancing Productivity; Cary Kopczynski, CEO and Senior Principal, Cary Kopczynski & Company and PRO Board of Directors Chairman; Matt Sheehan, Principal, Concrete & Construction Consultants, LLC; and Charles Nmai, Distinguished Engineer and Director of Concrete Sustainability, Master Builders Solutions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Uncover concrete construction productivity opportunities during design.
2. Identify the benefits of concrete constructability.
3. List the ways to integrate constructability into your designs.
4. Recognize common pitfalls when designing slabs-on-ground.
5. Incorporate the latest engineering trends for constructability and reinforcing fibers into your designs.

Afternoon Session: “Engineering — Bridging the Gap Between the General Contractor and the Engineer”

• 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $325 ($340 after December 12, 2025)
• Approved for 3.0 AIA/CES LU|HSW, PDH, and TCA credits.

This session focuses on fostering stronger relationships between contractors and engineers to eliminate inefficiencies, avoid conflicts, and improve project delivery. Attendees will explore real-world examples of how collaboration can enhance constructability and productivity across the project lifecycle.

Key discussion points include:

• How design, drawings, and specifications affect constructability
• Why constructability is so important for a successful project
• How to improve the efficiency of building concrete structures through design choices
• How to avoid design/construction conflicts that can lead to both costly modifications and repairs

Featured speakers are Kim Basham, President, KB Engineering; Cary Kopczynski, CEO and Senior Principal, Cary Kopczynski & Company and PRO Board of Directors Chairman; Mike Hernandez, Technical Director, American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC); and Bryan Birdwell, President, Structural Services Inc.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe why design collaboration between the contractor and designer can benefit all parties and the project.
2. Develop a positive relationship between the contractor and designer.
3. Recognize how specifications and drawings can impact construction productivity.
4. Create better design/build systems to benefit the project.
5. Discuss how to recognize and avoid costly design and construction conflicts

Full-Day Engineering Package: Designing for Constructability and Bridging the Gap Between the General Contractor and Engineer

• 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $625 by December 12, 2025 ($700 after)
• Includes continental breakfast and continuing education hours.

For professionals seeking a comprehensive educational experience, WOC’s Engineering-Focused Full-Day Package combines both sessions (Designing for Constructability and Bridging the Gap Between the General Contractor and Engineer) for a CEH-approved program. This full-day experience equips participants with actionable insights that connect design intent with field execution, promoting both productivity and constructability across all project stages.

As a World of Concrete 2026 partner, PRO continues to collaborate with contractors, designers, and materials suppliers to identify and resolve issues that negatively impact productivity in concrete construction. Through the development and dissemination of construction productivity knowledge, such as training for structural designers, industry-wide collaboration efforts, measurement and validation of progress towards increased constructability, and more, the Center and its Members aim to advance new technologies and processes that improve productivity beyond historic levels.

“Constructability is achieved where designers unleash the productivity potential of innovative construction systems,” said Phil Diekemper, executive director, PRO. “By aligning design decisions with real-world construction practices, we can deliver safer, faster, and cost-effective projects, achieving enhanced value to project owners. The World of Concrete is an excellent forum to bring these stakeholders together for the betterment of our industry.”