The concrete community came together in Baltimore, Maryland, US, in celebration of the 200th ACI Concrete Convention, the world’s gathering place for advancing concrete. 

Close to 2,500 professionals and students from more than 70 countries attended, including researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders, to share knowledge and drive innovation in the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of concrete projects. Over four days, attendees participated in educational sessions, networking events, committee meetings, and a student competition, totaling more than 100 hours of industry-leading content.

“We are thrilled by the remarkable turnout and engagement at the Fall 2025 ACI Concrete Convention in Baltimore. Bringing together the brightest minds in concrete materials, design, construction, and research, this year’s gathering has reaffirmed our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in the industry,” said Frederick H Grubbe, executive vice president, ACI. “We extend our sincere thanks to all attendees, exhibitors, and allied organizations who helped make this event a catalyst for advancing concrete knowledge and practice.”

The ACI Convention kicked off with the Egg Protection Device (EPD) Student Competition, where the objective was to design and build plain or reinforced concrete devices capable of withstanding the highest impact load. This marked the first EPD Competition held in 10 years, bringing renewed excitement and innovation to one of ACI’s most popular student challenges.

Thirty-seven teams from the USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Egypt, Peru, Guatemala, Chile, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico submitted entries for judging in two categories: Technical Performance and Aesthetics. Cash prizes of $750, $500, and $250 were awarded to first, second, and third place, respectively, in Technical Performance.

Emceed by ACI Past President Cary Kopczynski, the convention programme featured remarks from ACI President Maria Juenger, who highlighted the 200th convention milestone, shared updates on ACI University, the ACI Centers of Excellence, ACI Certification programs, and encouraged continued support for the ACI Foundation.

The event also featured the presentation of ACI’s Fall Annual Awards, recognising members for their contributions to innovation, education, and sustainability in the concrete industry. 

The events at the convention included:

• The ACI International Forum (October 27) providing attendees with insights from international concrete organisations and chapter representatives around the world. Chaired by ACI Vice President Scott Anderson, speakers shared updates on industry trends, innovations, and global initiatives in concrete design, materials, and construction.

• International Lunch featured a keynote presentation by Prof Marco Menegotto on the development of prefabricated structural concrete in Europe, exploring advances in construction techniques, materials, sustainability, and standardisation.

• Concrete Repair Day:  On October 28,  Concrete Repair Day was held at the ACI Convention, sponsored by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). The day featured technical sessions led by industry experts who discussed workforce training, productivity challenges, and best practices for surface preparation in concrete restoration. During the Concrete Repair Day Lunch, guest speaker Fred R. Goodwin presented How Does Concrete Deteriorate & What to Do About It? providing practical guidance on identifying causes of deterioration and strategies for prevention and repair.

• Awards Gala: The 11th annual ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards showcased dozens of innovative concrete projects from around the world. The "Overall Excellence” award was presented to Capitol Dome, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The winning concrete project also received first place in the Repair and Restoration Structures category during the ACI Concrete Convention. The project restored the historic 1929 dome through innovative repair methods, including micro-cement injection, fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement, and specialty anchor installations. The work preserved the structure’s historic character while strengthening it for long-term performance.

The next ACI Concrete Convention is scheduled for March 29 – April 1, 2026, in Rosemont/Chicago, IL, US. -TradeArabia News Service