Concrete Event 2020: From offline to online

Communicating in the concrete industry is still mostly done through traditional channels. But now - stimulated by the corona virus - a radical change is taking place in this area. Concrete Event 2020 will be a state-of-the-art digital event.

Text | Liliane Verwoolde Image | Concrete Association

The Digital Concrete Event 2020 is geared to professionals, students and teachers in the concrete industry. Participation is now just not on location, but from home or office. The times are also different. Whereas the doors of the traditional Concrete Day opened in the morning at 9 a.m. and did not close again until the evening at 9 p.m., there are now four digital meetings scheduled from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. On Thursday, Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26, participants at these mornings will be treated to an interactive, digital program, each with a different theme.

Panorama Concrete, the Floor

The themes have been chosen with care. As a result, the mornings promise to be fascinating, with a professional keynote speaker always kicking things off. He or she introduces the day's theme, after which other speakers and delegates from companies explain and elaborate on it. "Last year the central theme was 'Panorama Concrete, an introduction,'" says Toine van Casteren, director of Concrefy and chairman of the program committee for professionals. "This year the theme 'Panorama Concrete, the Deepening' was chosen. Now participants are invited to look at concrete examples that will shape the layout of our country over the next 30 years."

Henk Wapperom, program manager of the Concrete Association.

Looking to the future together

Looking to the future has become unthinkable without involving the themes of climate adaptation, energy transition, urbanization and circularity. "These themes are therefore the guiding principles in mapping out the future prospects of the concrete world," says Henk Wapperom, program manager of the Concrete Association. "How should we deal with global warming? How can we build and significantly reduce our environmental impact? Will urbanization continue to increase or will people soon choose the periphery again? And how do we respond? What must we do together to achieve the set goals?"

Digital raffle

Gaining that knowledge happens during interactive sessions from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. After these sessions, participants are paired with another participant for three minutes via a digital raffle - the networking carousel. "With this format, the core values of the Concrete Event - 'sharing knowledge', 'gaining knowledge' and 'making knowledge' - are still central," says Wapperom. "The space to make new contacts and maintain existing contacts also remains as usual on the digital exhibition floor. In the third hour there is the opportunity to contact other participants yourself."

The Concrete Experience for Students

Evelien Dorresteijn, a student at Eindhoven University of Technology, is responsible for the student program during the Concrete Event. These can participate in the Panorama Concrete program, but also get a glimpse into today's concrete world. What does the daily life of a structural engineer look like? How does it work in a precast concrete carousel? "Under the motto 'Learn. Doing. Experience' we paint a clear picture of what things are really like in the concrete world," says Dorresteijn. "The man who stands stirring in a mortar tub no longer fits in here a long time ago. The truth is that the Netherlands is a forerunner in building bridges, viaducts and high-rise buildings. That concrete is produced in fully automated production equipment and that we are a country that is a topper in this. We can export this knowledge. That is what students should be aware of after visiting the upcoming Concrete Event!"

Evelien Dorresteijn, a student at Eindhoven University of Technology and responsible for the student program during the Concrete Event.

The digital step into business

To support this world with images, students can digitally learn about 3D printing, Project Milestone and, for example, Concrefy's internationally renowned laboratory. They can then exchange views on this with companies that are also participating in the Concrete Event. "Most students are used to digital communication," recalls Dorresteijn. "But the step to business is still new for many. What do you say when you suddenly find yourself face to face with a seasoned entrepreneur? Those chance encounters, those are great learning moments."

Where is what happening?

The major digitization of the Concrete Event came about with the help of Hopin. This company specializes in organizing online event platforms and selected the features that fit the Concrete Event. For example, the 'Lobby' is the place where everything starts and ends; the kick off and pre- and post-event discussions with the keynote speakers. In the lobby, as many as 100,000 attendees can watch and ask questions live. 'Stages' is where the keynote speakers lead breakouts, lectures and discussions. In '1-on-1 networking' you should be there for new encounters, driven by the networking carousel or on your own initiative. And finally, there is the 'digital booth' where companies showcase their products and services.

"In terms of possibilities, nothing is lacking," Van Casteren concludes. "It may take some courage to go along with the digital system, but it is all user-friendly and the website will soon offer excellent information. For just €50 you will receive the link that gives access to four fascinating, interactive meetings!"

Concrete Event 2020

Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26
9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Are you talking?

Online in November

05/11 Climate Adaptation
12/11 Energy Transition
19/11 Urbanization
26/11 Circularity

Choose your meeting place

Lobby: the place where everything begins and ends.
Internships: for participation in break-outs, lectures and discussions.
1-on-1 networking: the place for new meetings, driven by the networking carousel or your own requests.
Digital booth: for introduction to companies' products and services.