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Association & Industry News
The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in May 2019 is 34 million cubic yards, 1% lower than that in May 2018. The estimated production in the U.S. for 2019 through May is 137.5 million cubic yards, 2.4% higher than that during the same period in 2018. Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More detail is available to NRMCA members here. The early bird registration deadline of Tuesday, August 20, for NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2019, scheduled for October 3 - 7 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL (metro Orlando), is fast approaching. Register now to take advantage of the pricing discount and save more than $100 off the regular registration fees. NRMCA has contracted a discounted room rate at the resort of $185/night plus taxes and a $22/night resort fee that covers several in-room amenities. Click here to access NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks' registration and the resort's online reservations links, the exhibitor prospectus and more. For more information, please contact Senior Director of Meetings Jessica Walgenbach. 
Buildings
Under a new ordinance, the city of Chicago overhauled its building code this spring. While there have been prior revisions to the Chicago Building Code (CBC), this update is the most substantial in the last 70 years. This significant leap forward more closely aligns the CBC with model codes and standards used throughout the United States, utilizing the 2018 International Building Code as part of this update. The City of Chicago Council adopted its first code in 1875, four years after the Great Chicago Fire with the goal to reduce fire and disease. A couple of major takeaways from the update: • A wider range of building materials will be allowed for construction, including mass timber; • New sprinkler system and seismic requirements will enhance safety; • Cost-effective construction of single-family homes will be incentivized; • The permitting process will be streamlined; • Newer methods and approaches to construct green buildings will be allowed; and • All zoning and fire districts remain the same as they were before the adoption of this code, including fire districts. Currently, the new Energy Code takes effect along with the administrative provisions. An internal Department of Buildings training program for plan reviewers began this summer. Here are some key dates: • October 2019 - the ICC Chicago Code book is expected to be published; • December 2019, optional early election to request use of the new CBC; and • August 2020, the new Chicago Building Code becomes mandatory. Build With Strength is an NRMCA-led coalition that promotes concrete building systems through communications, project promotion, education and advocacy, and can help leverage codes and standards development to place more concrete. For more information, contact Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Concrete Sustainability Hub Executive Director Jeremy Gregory was recently interviewed for an MIT News article on measuring the benefits of hazard resilience and why resilience hasn't been widely adopted in the U.S. and what can be done to change that. Read more. Registration for the RMC Research & Education Foundation’s 8th Annual Walk for Wellness is still open and may be accessed online. The Walk will take place in conjunction with NRMCA’s National Mixer Driver Championship at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2019. This popular event emphasizes the importance of wellness in the concrete industry. Your participation is a great opportunity to support this initiative and the Foundation at the same time. Registration is $25 per walker and is tax deductible as a contribution to the Foundation. Sponsorships are available for this event and is another terrific way to demonstrate your company’s support for the Foundation and the industry. The sponsorship form may be accessed here. Please contact Jennifer LeFevre with questions or visit www.rmc-foundation.org for more information on the work of the RMC Research & Education Foundation.
SEO
Registration is continuing for this year’s Environmental Certification Course to be held in Orlando, FL, November 19-21. Course attendees will be educated on industry-specific environmental issues that affect ready mixed concrete production, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, Discharge Permits, Stormwater Management, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Solids Management, Hazardous Materials, Dust Control, Recycling, Spill Prevention Plans, Air Quality Management, Noise Management, Environmental Auditing and much more. Those who should attend include plant managers, environmental managers, compliance managers, executives or anyone with fiscal and/or environmental responsibilities that should know the details concerning a company’s responsibilities when it comes to EPA regulations, the Clean Water Act, Discharge Permits, Stormwater Management and numerous other critical environmental matters. Click here for more information and registration options. You may also contact Gary Mullings for more information. 
Calendar
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site. October 3 – 7, Kissimmee, FL October 22 – 24, Irving, TX October 22 – 25, Dallas November 11 – 15, Baltimore November 19 – 21, Orlando, FL November 20, Little Rock, AR December 10 – 13, Orlando, FL December 17 – 19, Dallas 
Registration is continuing for NRMCA’s Fall Safety Course taking place October 22-24 in Dallas. This 2.5-day course teaches participants about OSHA safety compliance beginning with why safety is so important and details the reasons why an effective safety program actually saves money through loss prevention and control. Participants learn about the new silica rule, electrical safety, machine guarding, fall protection, hazard communication, confined spaces, personal protective equipment, firefighting and evacuation, maintenance shop safety, chute handling, fleet safety, pre-trip inspections and much more. Click here for location details and registration options. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach. 
Business Advancement
Concrete 101 (CCSP I) is being offered October 22-25 in Dallas. This annual introduction to concrete fundamentals is for those who need a broad overview of technical and operations essentials. The curriculum is appropriate for sales reps, dispatchers, administrative/home office and mid-level staff as well as those in executive functions whose jobs do not relate to concrete per se, but who should have knowledge of the industry. This class is NOT appropriate for technical ready mixed concrete personnel. For those working toward their NRMCA STEPS® CCPf certification in Sales and Marketing Track, this is a required class. For others working toward CCPf certification in other STEPS tracks, the class is the qualifying prerequisite or an elective. Click here for more information, including registration options and staff contact information. 2020 January 14 - 16, Des Moines, IA January 21 – 24, Florence, KY January 28 – 30, Orlando, FL January 28 – 30, Dallas February 25 – 28, Miami March 7 – 9, Las Vegas March 10 – 14, Las Vegas March 17 – 19, Dallas September 27 – 29, Aurora, CO 
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