The precast concrete industry gathered at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland March 2-4 for The Precast Show 2017. The event, which is the largest precast-specific trade show in North America, drew 4,300 participants, making it the best-attended precast event of the post-recession era. It featured heavy equipment, technology and services that span all segments of the precast and prestressed concrete industry. It has been held annually under various names since 1979.

In addition to the three-day trade show, the event featured education and training courses, tours to precast plants and an industry networking event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. NPCA also announced its inaugural class for The NPCA Leadership Academy, held a graduation ceremony for 28 Master Precasters and presented awards for plant certification, safety and sustainability.

"We sensed some post-recession optimism last year, but this year it was unmistakable," said Ty Gable, president of the National Precast Concrete Association. "There was a definite buzz on the trade show floor. The precast manufacturers were doing some serious shopping and looking for new products and the latest technology. We haven't seen this much enthusiasm for about 10 years."

The Precast Show 2018 will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Feb. 22-24. Visit theprecastshow.org for details.