ACI Concrete Convention Brings the Concrete Industry Together in Baltimore, Maryland

11/5/2025

The concrete community came together in Baltimore, Maryland, for a 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.

Winners were recognized during the Student Awards Program on Monday, October 27. For more information on the winning teams and the competition, please visit this link.

Opening Session

On Sunday evening, ACI welcomed attendees to Baltimore and set the stage for the week ahead. Emceed by ACI Past President Cary Kopczynski, the program 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 evening also featured the presentation of ACI’s Fall Annual Awards, recognizing members for their contributions to innovation, education, and sustainability in the concrete industry. Remarks from ACI Executive Vice President Frederick H. Grubbe, a welcome from the ACI Maryland Chapter, and a keynote address by ACI Honorary Member and Past President Ken Hover provided inspiration and insight for the concrete community.

A list of all personal and paper award winners who were recognized may be found here.

The ACI International Forum was held on Monday morning, October 27, providing attendees with insights from international concrete organizations 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.

Following the forum, the 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 standardization.

Concrete Repair Day

Tuesday, October 28, was Concrete Repair Day 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 on Monday, October 27.

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.

View the full list of award-winning projects here and watch the complete livestream of the awards presentation here.

The ACI Concrete Convention continues the tradition as the world’s gathering place for advancing concrete. Mark your calendar for ACI next convention, scheduled for March 29 – April 1, 2026, in Rosemont/Chicago, IL, USA.

Thank you to the many generous sponsors and exhibitors who supported the Fall 2025 ACI Concrete Convention.

About the American Concrete Institute:

The American Concrete Institute (ACI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the leading global authority for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, and educational, training, and certification programs. Founded in 1904, ACI is headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, with a regional office in Dubai, UAE, and Resource Centers located in Southern California, the Midwest (Chicago, IL area), and the Mid-Atlantic (Baltimore, MD area). ACI has more than 90 chapters, more than 350 student chapters, and approximately 40,000 members spanning more than 120 countries. The American Concrete Institute – Always advancing®. Visit concrete.org for additional information.