The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has announced that its Spring 2026 ACI Concrete Convention, held in Illinois, US, set a new attendance record, welcoming 2,300 industry professionals from around the world, representing 42 different countries. 

The convention wasn’t just the largest in the organisation’s history – it was a snapshot of a sector evolving rapidly through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration, said ACI.

From engineers and architects to contractors, suppliers, academics, and students, attendees converged for a packed programme of technical sessions, committee meetings, and networking events. 

Conversations spanned the full spectrum of modern concrete practice, from cutting-edge materials to resilience strategies and digital construction technologies reshaping the built environment, said the event organisers.

The convention floor buzzed with activity. Technical sessions spotlighted emerging research and real-world applications, while committee meetings advanced the codes that underpin the industry.

One standout moment came from the FRP Composites student competition, where teams pushed the boundaries of design efficiency, competing to create fibre-reinforced concrete structures with optimal cost-to-load performance, said the organisers.

A defining theme throughout the event was sustainability. Low-carbon concrete solutions and digital innovation took centrestage. 

With momentum clearly on its side, ACI is already looking ahead. The next convention, set for October 11 in Atlanta, promises to build on this energy.