I got a chance to attend the Concrete Decor Show held in Phoenix, Arizona in March of 2010, and was very surprised and impressed with not only the quality of the show, but the attendance as well.

Not actually working in the Concrete Countertop Industry but willing to embrace pretty much anything that can go on a countertop, I was eager to see what this side of "the business" had to offer. I was very curious about this show held literally in my backyard, and learned some eye-opening things about decorative concrete. I am looking forward to attending next year's show, and I am expecting great things in 2011.

There were actually a number of familiar faces who were exhibitors at the Concrete DÈcor Show people and companies that are friends of the Natural Stone side of the business. Buddy Rhodes Artisan Concrete, Franmar Chemical, Padco, American Decorative Concrete Supply, and Smith's Paint Products all have products that are used in multiple disciplines when it comes to the countertop industry.

The exhibitors were very busy, and the show had many people who were new to the concrete side of the countertop industry, gathering information and making new contacts for the future.

Every exhibitor remarked to me how the attendance at the show (the first one under the new "Concrete DÈcor" banner) was better than they had even hoped for, and that the quality of the attendees in terms of serious potential customers, was very high.

As an "outsider looking in," I couldn't help but sense that this side of the business is going to grow and expand in popularity and product availability in the future, just like the Natural Stone, Quartz and now the "Green" slab industries have. The technology that is evolving every month will be a driving force in making concrete countertops a viable choice for consumers in the future.

With the "green" movement gaining momentum every day, the concrete countertop industry is going to be more and more attractive to the Fabricator who wants to stay ahead of the competition and offer new, exciting and environmentally-friendly options to his clients.

From the view point of actually getting into or adding concrete countertops to what you'd want to offer your customers, as a Fabricator, concrete countertops would be a relatively low investment, dollar wise, for a guy to get started. There are no massive machines and high-dollar equipment start-up costs associated with doing concrete tops. The most important thing that I can see that a guy will need is to have a dedication to "the work" and have an "artisan's eye" for craftsmanship. There is training available from multiple sources, and of course, like with any skill, there's the practice, practice and more practice until you're ready to go out and do!

As a Fabricator, I would be looking at adding this kind of product to what I offer my customers. It's a no-brainer. You just have to have the desire to learn how to do it, and then make beautiful things. I can see this in the future of many Fabricators!

Best Regards & Happy Fabricating!

"Education on Location" at Fabrication Shops around the world is a service that is provided by AZ School of Rock. For more information, contact Kevin M. Padden through the website at www.azschoolofrock.com, by phone at 480-3099422 or via e-mail at info@azschoolofrock.com Exhibitors remarked how the attendance at the 2010 Concrete Decor Show was "better than they ever hoped for."

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