A week removed from my 12^th consecutive World of Concrete, I’m finally getting my head above water.  We all know that overwhelming feeling following a week-long tradeshow as you cut through your follow ups while juggling that full-time job you had before you went.  It can certainly be a bit stressful, but in many ways, it’s the exact jolt in the arm we need to shake us out of any year-end lull that may still be lingering.  It’s definitely 2018, and the reality of new goals is upon us all.

My 12^th show was a bit different this year.  It was my first year with a new company, and in a new role.  It was met with a bit of nervous anxiety about the conversations and interactions that lie ahead as I gel with my new colleagues and catch up with familiar faces.  The week came and went, and another week has passed, and I have now been able to reflect on my experience at the show with a clear mind.  And the only thing I can come up with is a feeling of appreciation for the industry and people we surround ourselves with in our concrete world (how fitting to coin the show World of Concrete). 

The quote below rings truer than I perhaps have ever given it credit:

“Your network is the people who want to help you, and you want to help them, and that’s really powerful.” – Reid Hoffman

All week, I was met with open hands and genuine well-wishes for myself and my new role.  Many people commenting on how small of a world it is, and how you never know where you will end up.  And after a few minutes catching up, the conversations led seamlessly into, ‘so tell me what about your products.’  I owe a big thank you to my partners from all sides of the business, including customers, distributors, and vendors, for making the industry we work in perhaps one of the best out there. 

The construction industry is for a certain type of person.  It’s a bit raw, can be rough around the edges, and certainly doesn’t require a designer suit to achieve excellence.  It’s a real industry, with real people, trying to make a decent living for their own families as well as for those with whom they partner.  So, I salute those partners who wished me, and our company, well at the show.  It is great to know that my partners want to help me, and that only makes me want to help them more, and that’s really powerful. 

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