On March 23, Build With Strength, in partnership with the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association, hosted its first

training session for a state association, the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association (CRMCA). The training took place at the famed Pinehurst Country Club, known throughout the concrete industry for its concrete overlay of asphalt in its parking lot. The event was also hosted through a Webinar for others around the country to participate. The CRMCA passed a resolution in January 2017 supporting the Build With Strength program and immediately began integrating it within its organizational structure.

The event began with an introduction to Build With Strength, a market analysis of the building market in Colorado and a brief introduction to the rest of the morning’s presentations. Led by CRMCA Executive Director Todd Ohlheiser and followed up by Oliver Brooks of Martin Marietta and Dana Rotkovich of Bestway Concrete, the analysis of the market included a stunning fact that in 2007 concrete buildings had about a third of the market. Since then, concrete now only commands 11% of the building market while wood commands 72%!

The rest of the morning was followed by NRMCA President Robert Garbini and Brett Ruffing, NRMCA Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs, Building Promotion, who spoke about The Concrete Advantage - why the concrete industry is where we are and what is available to use for various meetings and opportunities to expound the advantages of concrete buildings, including the use of available Build With Strength collateral. Patrick Matsche, NRMCA senior director, building innovations, then gave a presentation on the Concrete Design Center and what it takes to get a project moving through the pipeline.

The event concluded with session attendees splitting into three groups to discuss the three components of Build With Strength: Advocacy, Business Development and Communications. Groups were led by JT Mesite, CRMCA; Dana Rotkovich, Bestway and Annelise Shepherd, CRMCA.