https://ascconline.org RSS feeds for American Society of Concrete Contractors 60 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/456/Time-for-the-2024-DCC-Community-Project#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=456 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=456&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/456/Time-for-the-2024-DCC-Community-Project Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter June 2024 We know many of you are familiar with our annual ASCC/DCC Community Project, where we give back to the community by transforming plain, dull areas into beautiful works of art for everyone to enjoy. Over the years, your generous contributions of time, talent, money, and materials have made these projects possible, and for that, we are eternally grateful. It is that time of year again, and the DCC is looking for a worthy project. The DCC's commitment to community projects stems from a deep-seated belief in the importance of giving back. The American Society's Decorative Concrete Council's 2024 Community Project is more than just a beautification effort; it is a testament to the power of art and the importance of community service. By transforming public spaces with innovative decorative concrete solutions, the DCC is making a lasting impact on communities, supporting those in need, and inspiring future generations to continue the tradition of giving back. This project exemplifies how the intersection of craftsmanship and community service can lead to profound and positive change. One of the most profound impacts of the DCC's community projects is the inspiration they provide to future generations. By involving local schools and youth groups in the process, the DCC not only educates young people about the art and science of decorative concrete but also instills a sense of pride and ownership in their community. This educational aspect ensures that the value of giving back is passed on, fostering a culture of generosity and community spirit. We need your project! Contact Rich Cofoid or Ray Hefner. rzuellig Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:25:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:456 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/455/Getting-Back-to-Business#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=455 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=455&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/455/Getting-Back-to-Business Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter June 2024 As we dive into the busy season, it is full steam ahead. At the of April, the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) held its Annual Committee Week in the vibrant city of St. Louis. Industry leaders convened to exchange insights, innovations, and best practices, enriching our collective pursuit of excellence. The ASCC Committee Week in St. Louis was a resounding success! Committee members met for two days, and the meetings were very productive. The CPC (Concrete Polishing Council) reviewed three new documents that will be published as position statements for the polishing contractors. One paper on differential curing will be modified for use with the DCC (Decorative Concrete Council) for decorative concrete contractors. The weather is improving, and everyone is busy again, which is good for all of us as our industry moves ahead. As usual, during an election year, things are a little unsure, causing banks and owners to be a little cautious about how much money they will spend on construction projects. There is still a lot of funding for infrastructure repairs coming from the Federal government. The DCC will begin planning for its 2024 community project, which should happen soon. With spring weather a little on the cool side, remember your best practices for cold-weather concrete. A cool subbase combined with sun and wind creates perfect conditions for plastic shrinkage cracks, soft interior and surface crusting. This can be problematic for crews installing stamped concrete, and other decorative finishes. The forum lately has been talking about the use of evaporation retarders and finishing aids. Just be sure that you’re installing and using these products correctly to avoid any potential issues. Another hot-button topic seems to be using steel trowels on exterior concrete, leading to delamination and scaling. Some are concerned that Type IL cement may be a contributing factor. I’m sure that comes into play at some point, but good finishing practices will keep you safe and produce a good quality finish. The no-no, with steel trowels on exterior concrete, is generally associated with using a power trowel where the concrete has air entrainment. Using a steel hand trowel on exterior concrete is not an issue as long as the concrete is treated with a secondary finish after troweling, such as stamping or a broom finish. This will open the surface and allow for bleed-water to dissipate at a normal rate. Hope you all have a great season, and we’ll talk again soon! rzuellig Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:455 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/447/Sustainability-and-Decorative-Concrete#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=447 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=447&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/447/Sustainability-and-Decorative-Concrete Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter May 2024 I had the opportunity recently to do research for an upcoming NRMCA webinar on decorative concrete innovations in sustainability and thought I’d share some comments. Any of us who deal with architects and designers will tell you that over the past few years, sustainability and environmental issues have gone from an afterthought to the top of the list of questions and concerns. For decorative concrete, earnest changes started in 1998/1999 with the passage of Federal limits on the use of VOC’c (volatile organic compounds) which are the solvents used in our sealers and curing agents. A quarter century later what began as legislative mandates has become a proactive campaign for many manufacturers of the decorative products we use. At first glance, the VOC issue may be the only thing that pops to mind when talking about sustainability but a deeper dive proves a myriad of ways decorative concrete is rising to the challenges of our environmental realities. Integral pigments are mostly recycled raw materials in the form of iron oxides, a byproduct of the steel industry. Lighter colors have a high SRI (solar reflectance index) value which means your surface stays cooler to the touch and reduces the heat island effect. Conversely, in Northern climates, darker colors help melt ice and snow and reduce the use of salts and other chemical ice melters. Ready mix companies that have granular or liquid pigment dispensers order in bulk, thereby cutting the number of shipments and the resulting CO2 emissions of hauling freight. Stamped concrete, since its inception, has marketed itself as replicating nature. In other words, we get the same look as quarried stone and other natural materials without mining and without shipping the stone, marble, trees, etc all over the world. Stamped concrete also has a very high lifespan and much lower maintenance than the alternatives of asphalt or pavers. Exposed aggregate uses water-based surface retarders and leaves a surface that is highly durable in addition to being beautiful. Spectacular-looking projects use recycled glass, ceramics, and other post-consumer materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Polished concrete uses the slab already there rather than covering it up with flooring options like tile or carpet that are manufactured which creates a carbon footprint, and then shipped across the world creating more CO2. The densifiers and guards are also water-based with low or no VOC’s and the highly reflective floor reduces lighting and electrical needs. Wow, talk about a positive environmental impact! Stains are in on the action also as new water-based and eco-friendly technologies are being introduced. Of course, what started this whole evolution, sealers, and coatings continue to see innovations in resin technology, raw materials, and better performance. To complement the innovations in materials, many manufacturers of these products have also committed to improvements in their manufacturing processes, reducing waste, using less water, increasing energy efficiencies, and more. Our business has always made the world more beautiful, and we can be proud to say that we are making it cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable. rzuellig Wed, 01 May 2024 17:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:447 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/446/Spring-is-Here-and-Work-is-Picking-Up#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=446 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=446&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/446/Spring-is-Here-and-Work-is-Picking-Up Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter May 2024 Welcome to Spring 2024, even though we still have snow in some places it is officially Spring now, and work seems to be moving again. We just finished our trip to ACI in New Orleans; what a great city to visit. The meetings were very productive and the food there is amazing as always. ACI-310 guide to Decorative Concrete will submit a new revision this year for publication in 2025. We also established a new sub-committee to publish a guide for the ACI 310.1 polished finishes specification. This should be a tremendous help in broadening the reach and use of this specification. We left the conference excited about the progress the committee has made over the last two years (post-Covid). The end of April (22nd-24th), was ASCC’s Committee week, it was good seeing you all there. It was a productive time and very engaging. If you have not attended, I would recommend attending next year. It is a fantastic way to engage with the membership, committees, and our staff who always do an excellent job with this event. The hotline has been jumping this month, mostly with polished concrete calls. As membership activity increases, I use it as a gauge to measure the uptick in business. When members are busy, I find myself busier as well. Lately, I have been getting a lot of calls from not just members, but specifiers as well. It is great to get involved with projects in the planning stages and help to clarify means and methods for a specifier that seems to be a little lost. Of course, the CPC references are a key ingredient to making these jobs successful. It was good to see everyone in St. Louis! rzuellig Wed, 01 May 2024 17:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:446 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/442/DCC-Awards-2024#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=442 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=442&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/442/DCC-Awards-2024 April 15, 2024 – The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC) of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO is excited to announce the launch of its Sixteenth Annual International Decorative Concrete Council Awards program for the year 2024. This prestigious award program recognizes and celebrates exceptional decorative concrete projects from around the globe. rzuellig Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:442 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/439/Looking-Forward-to-Committee-Week#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=439 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=439&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/439/Looking-Forward-to-Committee-Week Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director, The Voice Newsletter March 2024 March means Spring has arrived and with it the start of another busy (and hopefully profitable) construction season. March also means that committee week at ASCC is just around the corner, and it is time to get travel plans set to visit St. Louis. Last year was the first for the DCC to attend Committee Week and hold its April meeting face-to-face. What a revelation it was for us first-timers! At both the annual conference and the World of Concrete, there is so much going on that finding time to sit in on the other board meetings is difficult, if not impossible. However, during Committee Week every member of every board has the time and opportunity to join in and attend the other meetings. To see firsthand what the other boards are accomplishing is amazing. Picking up creative ideas to bring back to your board (or business) is inspirational. Witnessing the talent of ASCC staff and board members/volunteers is humbling! If you can’t make it in person, I urge you to join in as many Committee Week meetings as you can via Zoom as almost all board meetings are available virtually. In the DCC we will spend a large chunk of our time reviewing our newly established strategic goals, volunteering for the different subcommittees to accomplish these goals, and setting strategies towards their achievement. While the DCC board has a dozen or so members, you DO NOT need to be a board member to join the meetings and volunteer your talents towards improving ASCC and the concrete industry. With close to 200 ASCC members describing themselves as DCC members, it should be easy to double or triple the average number of monthly meeting attendees. We all joined ASCC to better our businesses, better ourselves, and better our industry. The best way to do that is to join in and become actively involved. No matter how much or how little time you have to give, your participation comes back to you ten-fold. I hope to see you in person (and if not, on-screen) on April 22nd at 3:30 P.M. Central Daylight Time. rzuellig Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:439 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/438/Weather-Challenges-Impact-Concrete-Work#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=438 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=438&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/438/Weather-Challenges-Impact-Concrete-Work Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist, The Voice Newsletter March 2024 Is winter over? It seemed like that a couple of weeks ago, and now I am sitting in my office and watching it snow outside my window. There are a lot of things happening at the ASCC and in our industry as well. The ACI Spring Conference will be held in New Orleans here at the end of March. The ACI-ASCC 310 will be finalizing the new document for publication, hopefully for the summer review. The ASCC Committee week will be held in St. Louis in April, the week of April 22nd. This is always a busy couple of days, but I am looking forward to the Cardinals game! The Decorative Concrete Council just completed its new strategic plan, that meeting will be held on March 13th, 2:00 P.M. CST. I am sure everyone is hoping that Spring is just around the corner and warmer temperatures will return soon. Some of our most common issues related to spring weather are cool substrate conditions, combined with sun and wind. These create challenging conditions for placing and finishing Decorative concrete. Spring weather often brings fluctuating temperatures, which can impact the curing process of concrete. Rapid temperature changes can lead to thermal cracking and surface defects in the concrete, affecting its strength and durability. To mitigate this risk, contractors should closely monitor weather forecasts and adjust concrete mix designs and curing practices accordingly. Using concrete with appropriate additives, such as set retarders or accelerators, can help control the curing process and ensure consistent strength development, even in variable temperature conditions. Feel free to share your experiences with me on dealing with springtime conditions, our network is a wonderful place to learn. rzuellig Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:438 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/418/11-Ways-to-Building-Morning-Motivation#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=418 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=418&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/418/11-Ways-to-Building-Morning-Motivation Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter February 2024 As a successful contractor, you have proven to be self-motivated. However, all of us at some point go through fatigue, or lack energy, or just don’t feel like getting out of bed. I ran across an article on Hubspot by Leslie Ye that listed some easy and sensible ways we can use to build and strengthen our motivation. 1. Get up early. In the concrete business that goes without saying. But are you up early enough to give yourself time to set your day, not just work more hours?  It’s proven that those that get up early (I’m not talking about Mark Wahlburg or Tim Cook 3 AM early) are more successful and are better planners. Time to work out, make and eat a healthy breakfast, or even do a non-work activity can set the course for a productive day. 2. Eat a healthy breakfast. Studies have shown that those that do are happier, more creative, and more engaged. 3. Optimize your alarm. Why wake up to a jarring, irritating buzzer when you can choose music that fits the mood you’d like to wake up to? Whether it’s a feel-good song, something to pump you up, or relaxing jazz, it helps the brain release more dopamine that has positive effects for hours. 4. Work out or walk. Get the blood flowing. Fitness activities release serotonin and dopamine decreasing depression, improving mood and memory, and kick starting your energy levels. 5.Why? Why are you getting up? What drives you? Boost your intrinsic motivation by listing out what it is about decorative concrete and what you do that makes you happy. Keep it in a bedside drawer so you can refer to it when you need that extra boost. 6.Along the same lines remind yourself of your wins. List them out and keep adding to them. You’ll be surprised how many more wins you have than losses. 7. Do something in the morning that makes you happy. This is closely correlated to job performance. Examples would be to read a chapter from a favorite book, spend twenty or thirty minutes on a side project or hobby, or cook a fantastic breakfast. 8. Remind yourself of your goals. Earlier we mentioned intrinsic motivation, an internal driver. But with goals we are talking about external motivators. That new house or boat, your child’s education. No matter how much you love your job, you will have some bad days and reviewing your goals can help put your mind in the right frame. 9. Make your bed. Navy Seal Admiral McRaven recently said this at a commencement speech. You will have already accomplished something positive. It actually gives you a positive state of mind and it sets you up for completely other good habits. 10. Journal. Penciling in your thoughts for twenty to thirty minutes can help you clear your mind, focus your thinking, and empower you to make changes. 11. Meditate. Its not just for hippies and monks. Study after study shows meditation creates a deep sense of relaxation (and who couldn’t use a little more of that?). It also releases energy inducing endorphins, reduces aches and pains, and counters stress. Chances are no one could do all of these things each and every morning (except make your bed!!) So most importantly, take care of yourself whatever your morning routine. rzuellig Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:418 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/417/New-Year-New-CPC-and-DCC-Benefits#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=417 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=417&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/417/New-Year-New-CPC-and-DCC-Benefits Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter February 2024 Now that the World of Concrete is over, it’s time to get back to work. The show was a big success for everyone this year, and we were very happy with the Decorative Concrete Experience booth in the South Hall.  We had a lot of diverse traffic that we don’t normally see outside in the decorative lot.  The Kickoff bash had excellent attendance this year and was a big success as always.  Even though it is still winter, we are seeing unusually warm weather in many places. Here in the Northwest, we are above average. Last week, we were in Montana and even there it was in the 40’s; which is very strange for this time of year.  I’m sure that many of you are still dealing with cold weather conditions, so let’s review our cold weather concreting documents and practices. As always, the ASCC hotline is here to serve your needs and answer your questions. The CPC has published new charts for aggregate exposure and polished concrete appearance. These are available online under the polished concrete section of the website.  The DCC has several documents in the pipeline for publishing; we should see those become available soon. Spring will be here soon so keep up with your local forecasts and make ready, 2024 will be a great year for us all. rzuellig Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:417 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/407/Sales-Trends-for-2024#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=407 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=407&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/407/Sales-Trends-for-2024 Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter January 2024 2024, another new year, and another list of New Year’s resolutions. For many of us, one of those resolutions is to spend more time on personal/professional development. On the professional side, whether you are a decorative concrete contractor or are in the employ of a larger construction company, sales are the lifeblood of your organization, and it makes sense to spend time honing those skills and keeping up with current trends. I ran across an article recently that reminded me of most of the decorative contractors I know: “Traits of a Good Salesperson.” This information is courtesy of one of the e-newsletters I receive, Hubspot (check ‘em out). They consistently deliver great articles and blogs regarding sales tactics, lead generation, closing techniques, etc. Due to space constraints, I’m paraphrasing and condensing. Delightful. Making a sale requires building trust and a relationship with your customer, which starts by making a good first impression. Being on time and smiling when greeting your prospect is a good start. Enthusiastic. We are in decorative concrete because we are passionate about it so this one should come easy. Genuine enthusiasm cannot be faked but it helps to speak with energy and excitement. Analytical. While friendliness is a good trait, your prospect expects you to be prepared, smart, and fact driven. Resilient. Don’t let setbacks and rejection deter you; they should motivate you. Every sales call, whether it ended with a contract or a “no” should be reviewed for what worked and what didn’t work. Then get back out the “what choice do you have?” Attentive. Each customer has different needs. Listen to them (both verbal and those non-verbal cues), ask relevant questions, and be fully present in the conversation. Thorough. You ARE an expert in what you’re selling so demonstrate that knowledge. Empathetic. Connect with your prospect’s emotions. What do they really want from your service? Having a genuine concern for their needs means you’re committed to their best interests. Confident. This one seems obvious. Being confident in yourself, your product, and your service will make your customer more confident in it too. Adaptable. A good salesperson has to quickly read cues, pivot their pitch, and find common ground. Committed. Good salespeople aren’t quick to give up even in the face of challenges and rejection. Being committed also means going above and beyond, delivering on promises, and providing exceptional service. I am sure each one of us could add to this list. We could also change the title to Traits of a Good Decorative Concrete Contractor, and it would makes as much sense. I find these quick short-read articles are great for a dose of daily motivation or affirmation and try to fit one in while eating breakfast. If you receive a good newsletter or can recommend a good self help or business book, please let me know. See you all in Vegas! rzuellig Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:407 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/406/Get-Ready-for-the-World-of-Concrete#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=406 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=406&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/406/Get-Ready-for-the-World-of-Concrete Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter January 2024 Well let’s start by saying Happy New Year to everyone! It’s been such a busy year, a lot of changes in the ASCC and even for us personally. Now that Christmas and New Years is over, we can look to the year ahead. World of Concrete is just a a couple of weeks away, so a lot of us are preparing for the show. This year, the ASCC is sponsoring a Polished Concrete Luncheon, the ASCC Kick off bash, and the DCC/CPC Experience. Of course, there will be committee meetings and gatherings throughout the week. We are also sponsoring the ACI Decorative Finisher Exam class on Monday. So, if you need to get certified, be sure to get registered! For those of us who are exhibitors, there is a lot of planning and preparation for the booths. For those of you who will not attend the show, welcome to winter. I hope you can find some sunshine someplace in your schedule. If not, it’s time to review your cold weather placement practices, get out the blankets and curing membranes. A lot of people look for sunny places to spend off time in the winter, my wife and I tend to look for snowy places, like Whitefish, Montana. We will spend a few days there right after the WOC show in February, to do a little skiing. Wherever you go and wherever you are, we hope you stay safe and productive. Hope to see you all at the show. rzuellig Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:406 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/391/Be-Careful-and-Take-Your-Time-During-Inclement-Weather#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=391 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=391&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/391/Be-Careful-and-Take-Your-Time-During-Inclement-Weather Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist, The VOICE Newsletter December 2023 I hope everyone is getting ready for the Holiday season now that Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas is on the horizon. It seems like everywhere you go there is another reminder that Christmas day is soon approaching. For contractors, it means that employees will take time off to spend with their families. Jobs are under pressure to be completed before the holiday break. Some places in the U.S. are already seeing snow on the ground, and that can increase the danger of travel, including your work trucks on the road. Everyone needs to be extra careful now and allow more time for commuting and be sure to carry emergency roadside equipment. Make sure your crew is keeping warm, especially when working outdoors. Let’s not forget that it is a good time to review your cold weather concrete procedures. Slower set times, hot water loads, accelerating admixtures, and even blankets for some of us. Remember to check the subbase temperature before placement, you may even need to cover the base a day or two before the pour takes place. This is a special time of year for everyone, and I personally hope all of you have a safe and Merry Christmas! rzuellig Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:391 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/381/2023-DCC-Award-Winners#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=381 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=381&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/381/2023-DCC-Award-Winners December 6, 2023 – The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC) of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO is pleased to announce the winners of its 15th Annual Decorative Concrete International Awards competition at ASCC’s annual conference in September, in Grand Rapids, MI. rzuellig Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:381 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/379/Get-Ready-for-the-DCCCPC-Experience-at-the-2024-World-of-Concrete#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=379 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=379&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/379/Get-Ready-for-the-DCCCPC-Experience-at-the-2024-World-of-Concrete Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter 2023 With the end of the year in sight it is not too early to start planning for the 2024 World of Concrete in Las Vegas. You don’t want to miss this year’s event as it is the 50th anniversary and promises to be the best ever! Brand new this year...The DCC and CPC have joined forces to bring you The Decorative Concrete Experience, an interactive area in the back of the South Hall where attendees can learn how to participate and prosper in these dynamic market segments. The Experience will feature live and recorded, short peer-to-peer presentations from industry experts on topics crafted to help new and experienced practitioners improve their businesses. Other planned highlights include: A Historical Review of Decorative Concrete – including: A pictorial review of its evolution Meet the Legends sessions during which the audience can learn from some of the leading artisans who helped shape this industry. The 2023 Winners of the DCC Award program – including: A pictural review of the winning projects Meet the Winners sessions during which members of the project’s design team will explain how they solved the challenges encountered on the projects. Interactive concrete polishing exhibits – including: aggregate exposure standards testing floor reflectivity and much more A description of the technical resources that ASCC, CPC, and DCC provide the industry (and, of course, the chance to join). Debunking polished and decorative concrete myths The self-guided Decorative Concrete Hall of Fame Up until the Show’s opening on Tuesday January 23rd we will be busy putting together this must-see exhibit. Plan to arrive a little early so you can join our board meetings on Monday and really get things started at the ASCC Kick off Bash Monday evening. rzuellig Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:379 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/378/Planning-for-2024-DCC-Activities#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=378 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=378&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/378/Planning-for-2024-DCC-Activities Clark Branum, Decorative and Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter November 2023 The Fall ACI Conference in Boston just finished last week, and there is always a lot of committee work to follow up. The Concrete Mixer (gathering) on Tuesday night was well attended, and because it was Halloween, it was a colorful event to attend. The DCC has held its last meeting for the year this week, but there will be several more meetings over the next few weeks to discuss the DCC/CPC Experience event at the 2024 World of Concrete. We decided to offer sponsorships to members for $1,500 each to help offset the cost of the event this year at WOC (World of Concrete). So, any company who would like to help sponsor this event please contact the ASCC office to participate. The DCC would also like to put out a call to the membership for community projects for next year. We have been planning a specific project, but there seems to be some project delays. So, now we need a new project for 2024. If anyone has a worthy project, please advise me or our Council Director Rich Cofoid. Next up is getting ready for the Holidays! That’s right, they’re here again! Seem too soon? It does for me! This year went by too fast! With so many changes in the industry, it’s getting hard to keep up with everything. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here! Our job is to keep the membership informed of changes as they happen and keep you up to date with the information you need to navigate through these tricky times. From my family to yours, I sincerely hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Holiday, see you soon. rzuellig Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:378 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/371/Watch-for-the-DCCCPC-Experience-at-World-of-Concrete#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=371 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=371&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/371/Watch-for-the-DCCCPC-Experience-at-World-of-Concrete Rich Cofoid DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter October 2023 Exciting news about the next World of Concrete!! The Decorative Concrete Council and the Concrete Polishing Council are joining forces to bring THE DECORATIVE CONCRETE EXPERIENCE to the W.O.C 2024, which is the 50th anniversary of the largest tradeshow in the U.S. dedicated specifically to our concrete industry. As you know, for years the DCC and CPC have staffed a booth separate from the main ASCC booth, ours being outdoors in the Silver lot where most of the decorative demos and events are held. Staffed by DCC and CPC volunteers, we promote and increase awareness of ASCC, answer tech questions, and sign-up new members. This year we are moving indoors to the back of the South Hall and will bring the Decorative Concrete Experience to 1,000 sf of space. While volunteers from both councils are meeting to work on the details, we are bringing an immersive experience and hope to include “meet the legends” sessions where well known personalities in the industry speak and answers questions; Ted Talks-type engagements on specific decorative subjects; a self-guided history of Decorative Concrete; displays and samples of the different levels of light reflectivity in polished floors and instructions on how to measure it; as well as different aggregate exposures. Other ideas include showcasing DCC award winners, meeting the winners’ events where 1st place winners can explain their project, the processes they used, and answer questions. A possible tailgate party, and a “myth buster” section where we debunk widely held yet incorrect hearsay about decorative concrete. Of course, the strategic goals of The Decorative Concrete Experience include: Promote DCC and CPC’s leadership role in the decorative concrete industry to the World of Concrete Audience. Renew the social connection of those involved in the decorative and polished concrete industries. Attract young professionals to the decorative concrete industry. Highlight the benefits of membership to ASCC (and add new members). It is a large undertaking, and we are happy that the Emerging Leaders Council has offered their assistance. Naturally, we would love to hear from you should you have any ideas or wish to volunteer in the set up and/or staffing of the Experience. rzuellig Mon, 30 Oct 2023 18:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:371 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/370/Winter-Weather-Has-Its-Challenges#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=370 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=370&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/370/Winter-Weather-Has-Its-Challenges Clark Branum Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter October 2023 The Annual Conference was a big success! Many of us met up with old friends and made some new ones. For me, it is always exciting to meet new, young people coming into our industry and organizations who possess fresh, innovative ideas and a willingness to learn from the industry veterans. These young people are the future of our industry, and it is up to us to mentor them and help them navigate new territories. This is what the ASCC is great at, providing educational resources and helping them get dialed into their chosen field of expertise. The Emerging Leaders’ Committee is always a great meeting to attend. I find it refreshing to listen to the younger generation talking about their positions and challenges they face as they grow in our industry. I wish that I had access to a resource like that when I was beginning my career. The talks about the Decorative Concrete Experience at the WOC 2024 generated a lot of excitement and produced some great ideas. During the CPC meeting we had several sponsors commit to supporting the event. A special thanks goes out to them for stepping up and helping to make this event a success. It is Fall now and the leaves are changing colors. My wife Ronnie and I drove to Leavenworth, WA on Sunday over Highway 2, and the drive was beautiful! This time of year reminds us that Winter is not too far away as the temperatures are dropping, and the subbase is cool and damp in the mornings. This is great concrete weather, but it can also create some unique issues such as surface crusting and plastic shrinkage cracks. When the subbase is cool and damp, it can slow the set time at the slab base, while sunny or windy conditions can create a skin at the surface that dries faster than the base. This can cause issues for the finisher. I remember contracting, this time of year there always is an urgency to complete or even begin projects that may have been delayed for one reason or another. Everyone (owners and general contractors) wants to get their projects done before the Winter weather prevents or slows the progress. Be sure to review your technical documents for cold weather concreting and how to deal with early carbonation on the surface from use of combustible heaters, curing methods, and placement procedures. You may need to begin using an accelerating admixture to compensate for the cooler temperatures. As always, the ASCC is here to assist you in getting the right information in your hands to make good decisions and continue moving forward. rzuellig Mon, 30 Oct 2023 18:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:370 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/346/Marginal-Gain-Theory#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=346 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=346&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/346/Marginal-Gain-Theory Rich Cofoid, DCC Council Director The Voice Newsletter August 2023 Are you familiar with something called the Marginal Gain Theory? It has been famously used by the British cycling team who, since its implementation, have earned a 1st and 2nd place in the Tour de France and over 32 Olympic metals since 2008. What it entails is simply focusing on tiny improvements, which accumulate over time resulting in very large gains. The Brits looked for any way they could make a 1% improvement in any and all aspects of their sport. The athletes focused on fitness, nutrition, race tactics, even sleep, and on the equipment side, maintenance, cleanliness of the trailers and tools, etc. were the focus. Individually and alone, these little improvements would make little to no difference, but combined turned perennial losers into winners. Because marginal gains only require marginal efforts and commitments, they are easy to begin and stick with. Think of all the tiny improvements you could make starting now with both your business and your personal lives, which could literally change your world for the better. For most, it would be easier to list some personal improvements we could make. For example, Nutrition: cut out one bad food we eat, or sub one vegetarian meal a week, or grab a water instead of a soda. Fitness: take the stairs whenever possible or walk one evening a week after dinner. Financial: cut out one Starbucks a week and put the $25 per month in an investment account, etc. But how about your business? Think about what small changes you could make that would result in higher revenue, or higher margins, or better employee retention, or a better safety record. Washing your trucks and trailers weekly puts a more professional face on your business. Cleaning all tools after every job and before stowing them away will result in longer tool life resulting in cutting your expenses. Organizing your trailers and warehouses so everything has its place AND ends up in that place every night reduces wasting time hunting for stuff every morning. I challenge you to come up with marginal ways to improve employee retention, increase lead generation, increase your closing ratio on sales calls, reduce operational expenses, etc. The beauty of Marginal Gain Theory is no aspect is too insignificant to consider and no change is ever so radical that it becomes difficult to implement. rzuellig Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:346 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/345/New-CPC-Position-Statements-on-the-Way#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=345 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=345&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/345/New-CPC-Position-Statements-on-the-Way Clark Branum, Decorative & Polished Concrete Specialist The Voice Newsletter August 2023 Now that Summer is in full swing, it seems like our businesses are really starting to ramp up. Early in the season, it looked like projects were on hold and many contractors were reporting a slow start to the summer. With that comes new updates and workload for us on the development side of things. The CPC has published two new position statements in the last two months, one for surface repairs prior to polishing concrete, and the newest for polishing weak concrete surfaces, which will be published in this month’s issue of CI. With all the Type IL controversy, the timing is perfect. Other documents that will be coming out soon are updated aggregate exposure and polished concrete appearance charts, which have been revised to reflect current industry standards including ACI-310.1 specification for polished concrete. ACI 310 Decorative Concrete Guide Committee is working closely with the CPC to develop a new standard and criteria for measuring polished concrete flooring. This will be a new standard that currently does not exist. Most people test according to their own methodology and practices, and some don’t measure at all unless it is mandated in a specification. ACI-310.1 specification gives some guidance for measurables, but there is no specific industry standard that has been published as a reference. Hopefully, that will change soon with the newest revision of the 310 document. Next up is the ASCC Annual Conference in September, I’m sure the others will write more about that in their newsletter articles, so I’ll just say that as a new ACI examiner, I’m excited to preside over the Decorative Concrete Flatwork Exam during the conference. Be sure to register soon and I hope to see all of you there! rzuellig Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:345 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/323/DCC-Awards-2023#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=323 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=323&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/323/DCC-Awards-2023 February 13, 2023 - The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC), a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO, announces its International Project Awards 2023 Call for Entries. rzuellig Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:323 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/311/Clark-Branum-Hired-as-Decorative-Polished-Concrete-Specialist#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=311 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=311&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/311/Clark-Branum-Hired-as-Decorative-Polished-Concrete-Specialist November 16, 2022 – Clark Branum, noted decorative concrete speaker, trainer, and quality control manager, has joined the Technical Division of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO, as the decorative and polished concrete specialist. It is a part-time position. This role provides leadership, counsel, and direction for the Decorative Concrete Council (DCC) and the Concrete Polishing Council (CPC). One of the key responsibilities is answering two technical hotlines, one for decorative concrete and one for polished concrete questions. rzuellig Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:311 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/285/2022-DCC-Award-Winners#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=285 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=285&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/285/2022-DCC-Award-Winners October 5, 2022 -- The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC), a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Mo., has announced the winners of its 14th annual Decorative Concrete International Awards competition.  The winners were recognized at ASCC’s Annual Conference, September 29, 2022, in Cleveland, OH. Colorado Hardscapes, Greenwood Village, CO won the WOW! Award, best overall project, for the USAFA Air Gardens, a restoration project to return the Air Force Academy’s Air Gardens, what had been the focal point of the cadet parade grounds, to its former glory. The area is a 600-foot grid of concrete, landscaping, and pools. After 46 years laying dormant, Colorado Hardscapes was tasked with replacing the Air Garden’s walkways, bridges, and pool copings, and refurbishing the pools themselves. 35,175 SF of specialty concrete was developed with white cement and white aggregate to compliment the white marble bands, and to contrast with the pools finished with charcoal plaster. Over a mile of exposed finished vertical edges of copings and walkways, and 15 bridges, required innovative forming and finishing techniques. The layout throughout the Academy grounds is at multiples of seven, resulting in having to sawcut all paving into 21-inch “tiles.” Other winners are: Cast-In-Place Stamped, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Connecticut Bomanite Systems, Bethel, CT, for Downtown Danbury Transit Development. Cast-In-Place Stamped, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Alchemy Concrete, Inc., Amherst Junction, WI, for The Manor. Cast-In-Place Stamped, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Beyond Concrete, Keyport, NJ, for Dennis Collins Park. Cast-In-Place Stamped, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Bomanite International Ltd., Quezon City, Cubao, NCR, Philippines, for Café Sawaloka. Polished Concrete & Overlays, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Burgess Concrete Construction, Inc., Moline, MI, for Fruitport Community Schools - High School Addition & Renovation. Polished Concrete & Overlays, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Musselman & Hall, Kansas City, MO, for Westview Elementary. Polished Concrete & Overlays, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Phaze Concrete, Cedar City, UT, for Phaze Concrete Office Lobby. Polished Concrete & Overlays, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Jeffco Concrete Contractors, Tuscaloosa, AL, for Ferguson Center Starbucks. Cast-in-Place Special Finishes, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Trademark Concrete Systems, Camarillo, CA, for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Cast-in-Place Special Finishes, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Largo Concrete, Tustin, CA, for Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Cast-in-Place Special Finishes, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Architectural Concrete Construction, Louisville, KY, for Norton Children’s Healing Garden. Cast-in-Place Special Finishes, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, T.B. Penick & Sons, San Diego, CA, for Sunnyvale Sedimentary Wall. Vertical/Facades, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Unlimited Designs, Salt Lake City, UT, for ASU – Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Bldg. 7. Vertical/Facades, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Largo Concrete, Tustin, CA, for Apex. Concrete Artistry, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Bomanite International Ltd., Quezon City, Cubao, NCR, Philippines for Carnival Square Halong City. Concrete Artistry, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, T.B. Penick & Sons, San Diego, CA, for San Diego Children’s Zoo – Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Concrete Artistry, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Fuscardo Concrete, Weirton, WV, for Rebecca Fuscardo Booth at Deco-Crete Expo. Concrete Artistry, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Gilbane Bldg, Co., Phoenix, AZ, for City of Surprise Safety Evidence & Readiness Center Art Installation. Multiple Applications, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Hyde Concrete, Pasadena, MD, for Tidewater Farmhouse. Multiple Applications, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Colorado Hardscapes, Greenwood Village, CO, for Lone Rock Retreat. Multiple Applications, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Deco-Crete Supply, Orrville, OH, for The Orchard. Stained & Dyes, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Desco Coatings of Alberta, Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples    Experience. Stained & Dyes, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Dancer Concrete Design, Ft. Wayne, IN, for Roanoke Elementary School. Stained & Dyes, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Bob Harris, Structural Services, Inc., Waxahachie, TX, and Lee Ann Harris, Decorative Concrete Institute, Temple, GA, for Decorative Concrete Institute Facility.        Stained & Dyes, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Captivating Concrete Creations, Tawas City, MI, for The Selman Estate.                             Architectural Cast-in-Place Concrete Structures, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Colorado Hardscapes, Greenwood Village, CO, for USAFA Air Gardens. Architectural Cast-in-Place Concrete Structures, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Largo Concrete, Tustin, CA, for Apex.                Architectural Cast-in-Place Concrete Structures, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Bomanite Artistic Concrete & Pools, El Paso, TX, for Weststar Tower.   Architectural Cast-in-Place Concrete Structures, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Raffin Construction Co., Chicago, IL, for Brighton Park Waste Transfer Station Barrier Wall. Cementitious Overlays, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, T.B. Penick & Sons, San Diego, CA, for Legoland Lego Movie World. Cementitious Overlays, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Texas Bomanite, Dallas, TX, for Hotel Drover.                      Cementitious Overlays, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Sundek of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, for Aloft Hotel. Cementitious Overlays, Under 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Sundek National Accounts, Grand Prairie, TX, for Wayne State University. Decorative Resinous Coatings, Over 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Decorative Concrete of Virginia, Lynchburg, VA, for Runk & Pratt. Decorative Resinous Coatings, Over 5,000 SF, 2nd Place, Birmingham Decorative Concrete, Leeds, AL, for Caliber Gear. Decorative Resinous Coatings, Under 5,000 SF, 1st Place, Decorative Concrete of Virginia, Lynchburg, VA, for Smith Mountain Lake Garage. Project Video, 1st Place, Desco Coatings of Alberta, Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience.                     The DCC is composed of contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers of decorative concrete products and is dedicated to improving the technical and business expertise of the contractors that pursue this specialty market.  For more information go to http://www.ascconline.org or call (866) 788-2722. rzuellig Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:285 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/212/2021-DCC-Award-Winners#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=212 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=212&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/212/2021-DCC-Award-Winners September 24 -- The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC), a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Mo., has announced the winners of its 13th annual Decorative Concrete Awards competition rzuellig Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:212 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/128/DCCMAC-Community-Project--Life-Remodeled#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=128 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=128&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/128/DCCMAC-Community-Project--Life-Remodeled ST. LOUIS, MO June 10 – Volunteers from the Decorative Concrete Council (DCC) and the Manufacturers’ Advisory Council (MAC) of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) traveled to Detroit, MI March 11-12 to complete a community project for the Durfee Innovation Society. Paul Albanelli, Albanelli Cement Contractors, Livonia, MI was the project manager for the installation at the Life Remodeled building. The project scope was to apply a four – color metallic epoxy coating to resemble water, to a concrete slab in an old pool that had been filled in, with special effects on steps and a ramp. The revived area will serve as an event space. Materials were donated by The Euclid Chemical Co., Increte, and H & C Decorative Concrete Products (Sherwin-Williams). Labor was provided by Albanelli Cement Contractors, Birmingham Decorative Concrete, Leeds, AL; BORIDE Engineered Abrasives, Traverse City, MI; Concrete Marketing Crew, Parkland, FL; Concrete Mystique Engraving, Nashville, TN; Hyde Concrete, Pasadena, MD; Innovative Chemical Products, Ft. Worth, TX; Modern Concrete, East Providence, RI; Sundek National Accounts, Arlington, TX; and Transhield/TopCure, Elkhart, IN. The Durfee Innovation Society exists to create substantial and impactful opportunities for Detroit children, families, and single adults while advancing collaboration among eight major sectors (arts, business, education, faith – based, government, human services, media, and philanthropy) in the city and its surrounding suburbs. Life Remodeled focuses on the intentional and equitable revitalization of Detroit neighborhoods distinguished by significant need and hope, forming long-term relationships and partnerships. The DCC is the only professional organization dedicated to focusing on the issues, trends and work of the decorative concrete industry, and to meeting the needs of the contractors who pursue this specialty market. Made up of decorative concrete contractors that install decorative concrete, manufacturers, and other interested parties, the mission of the DCC is “Advancing Decorative Concrete Contractors Through Education and Networking.” The MAC board advises ASCC on matters relating to associate membership and suggests methods of adding value to all membership opportunities. For more information, visit www.ascconline.org or call the ASCC office at (866) 788-2722. rzuellig Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:128 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/38/2020-DCC-Award-Winners#Comments 0 https://ascconline.org/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=190&ModuleID=463&ArticleID=38 https://ascconline.org:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=38&PortalID=3&TabID=190 https://ascconline.org/Home/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/38/2020-DCC-Award-Winners The Decorative Concrete Council (DCC), St. Louis, Mo., has announced the winners of its 12th annual Decorative Concrete Awards competition rzuellig Mon, 19 Oct 2020 18:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:38