For decorative concrete enthusiasts, the Decorative Concrete LIVE space outdoors at the annual World of Concrete show has become a ‘need to see’ part of the annual pilgrimage to the desert, with this year being no exception. This year became the ninth year, Concrete Decor hosted this event, together with the support of 67 industry artisans whose individual talents made this LIVE attraction a space that connects people and kick-starts a wide range of conversations that involve business and technical topics.
Ennis-Flint
More than 30 new finishes were on display in Decorative Concrete LIVE this year. Topping the list were material applications by PPG’s Industrial Coatings Division involving its thermo-plastic technology known as Ennis-Flint. Matthew Casto, together with his family (Massimo, Lorenzo and Alessandro) led these product demonstrations, showing how quick and easy this process is. Its durability as a marking system for bike lanes, cross walks and other roadway surfaces, is finding new application in decorative concrete because it can be colored and textured in much the same way as concrete during its installation process. The material is tough as nails, highly slip resistant, a great solution for boardwalks, water parks, zoos, the hospitality industry, retail spaces and so many other spaces where themed spaces are required.
Resinwerks
Another attraction in the Decorative Concrete LIVE space was material application by Resinwerks. Its epoxy mortar system offered show attendees an opportunity to see how these materials can be stamped, textured and colored to produce extremely tough, waterproof and decorative solutions for balconies, elevated pool decks, parking structures, or an entryway to a local microbrewery.
Also, on display was Resinwerks Simerrazzo (simulated terrazzo) coating that met its challenge due to the cold day and nighttime temps outside in the Las Vegas desert. Despite these challenges regarding these resinous products, they are also known for their flexibility. It is these benefits of Resinwerks products that will be the focus of the Concrete Decor Store’s first Artisan Training Series workshop on March 6-7, 2025, at our Stockton, California location. More details are available here.
Concrete goes vertical
Vertical applications by Richard Winget were another special attraction at the show this year. Fox Block’s ICF’s (insulated concrete forms) were used to create a simulated building facade that was used to demonstrate QuikSpray’s shotcrete application using the Quikrete carving mix. Richard is someone I would refer to as a quiet giant in the industry of themed environments.
This video shows just how easy it is for Richard to talk shop with visitors while the hands are hard at work.
Footings for the Fox Blocks building were made possible with the Form-A-Drain products that are not just fast and easy to use, they are left in place to create escape routes for below grade moisture intrusions.
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X-Panel
Another building system on display in Decorative Concrete LIVE was the SCIP panel system by X-Panel. Danny Carrillo with PDQuipment used Putzmeister equipment to apply another Quikrete mortar-based system that, when cured, made me a bit worried whether these walls would be able to break down after the show. Built on nothing more than ISI’s Viper II vapor barrier on an asphalt parking lot, the walls were extremely rigid proving that, like Fox Block’s ICF system, concrete remains the biggest threat to traditional wood frame construction, not to mention, its innate ability to withstand fire and hurricane force conditions. I think it’s time builders and construction projects of every type across the USA made the switch. This includes the use of sheathing and subfloor materials known as MgO (magnesium oxide) by CemRock that were also in use in the Decorative Concrete LIVE space.
Coloring Concrete
Returning this year from Kauai was the team from Kickass Concrete. Their aloha spirit, artistic capabilities and work ethic were on display all day from the moment their plane landed in Vegas to the time they departed 10 days later. Keith Duffy and his crew crafted this year’s centerpiece, which included 3 man-size seahorses surrounding a suspended globe that included water cascading over its surface. A vibrant use of colors by Smith Paint and Classic Coatings had attendees’ attention to their work throughout the show.
Circular and radius forming applications using Elite Plastiform formboards made for quick work of the concrete installation process.
Laticrete
Another showstopper was a terrazzo application by Scott Kummer, who has been a great friend of Concrete Decor throughout the years. Using Laticrete self-leveler, Scott infused this material with pigments and specialty aggregates that were then polished. Here again, the Concrete Decor Store will be offering Springtime workshops at its Bay Area location to equip others with the skills to produce terrazzo flooring solutions. Subscribing to Concrete Decor’s Newsletter will keep you and your colleagues apprised of these upcoming training events.
Iron Age Designs
Iron Age Designs was also a focal point in Decorative Concrete LIVE. Their decorative drainage grates gave the oceanic scene a rustic ambiance unlike any other. Iron Age is, in my opinion, a tasteful finishing touch to a wide range of architectural concrete projects. A carved seaside cliff was the work of Satwant Jassal who made quick work using scrap pieces of foam, Spiderlath fiberglass reinforcements and TruFast fasteners.
A Family Affair
Having some of our artisans’ family and children involved in the Decorative Concrete LIVE space this year gave the Decorative Concrete LIVE space more significance. Matthew Casto, whose boys Massimo, Lorenzo and Alessandro, were integral to material applications in space.
In addition, D’Ann and Elise Vancil, who are involved with their dad’s decorative concrete business in Kansas, fought through illnesses during the show to make sure they accomplished their mission. At one point I thought their use of Smith Paint colors was a bit archaic, but when FloorMaps materials arrived, the blend of colors created a moray that again had attendees asking loads of questions.
Exposed Finishes
Another focus in Decorative Concrete LIVE this year were exposed finishes by Rick Smith, whose seeding of the concrete with mixtures of crushed mirror by American Specialty Glass and sparkle grain created a star-studded display in the welcomed sunny weather we all enjoyed this year. While a new etching product by FirmeCrete created a nice sand finish, a soon-to-be released surface retarder gave control of the finish back to the installer. You’ll learn more about this technology in a workshop by Rick Smith taking place this Spring with the Concrete Decor Store’s Artisan Training Series.
A solution for spalls and damaged concrete
Demonstrations by Solid Solution Products took place during show hours demonstrated that spalls and damage to joint walls are easily remedied with these premium grade materials. More on these products will be part of the Concrete Decor Store’s Artisan Training Series this Spring.
Versatile High Performance Coatings
Versatile High Performance Coatings weathered the challenges of outdoor applications this year, applying their premium metallic coating in extreme cold temperatures on a slab that was only two days old. A range of challenges emerged, but those challenges made the team that much more determined to prove their products’ abilities. The windows of opportunity were few during show hours, but the end result was an impressive marine blue metallic that simply needed better curing conditions. Next year, a larger indoor space will be reserved for coatings that require better temperature control and protection from harsh weather conditions.
Introducing a new countertop mix
Concrete countertop artisan, Josh Thiel, made GFRC look easy as he utilized Concrete Countertop Solutions new GFRZ bag mix to create a new outdoor kitchen counter for the new Outdoor Living Foundations ready-to-assemble/ready-to-finish outdoor kitchen assemblies. Josh was complimentary of the new bag mix, and indicated he felt the mix met or exceeded most propriety mixes he has formulated or worked with in the past. While the cold desert temperatures caused some freezing of the mix during curing, the application was a success.
It was also incredibly impressive seeing the SlabCart in use as they flipped the waterfall countertop into place as part of the outdoor kitchen. The new Collomix XO-6 with its digital display, 8 speed settings and timer improved mixing operations for this material and every other bag mix used in Decorative Concrete LIVE for 2025.
Engrave-a-crete
Rejoining the WOC this year was Engrave-A-Crete, whose use of their engraving tools made an indelible mark on the concrete. The Wasp, Hornet, and Mongoose engraving tools are, simply put, tools that every concrete professional should never be without. They are instruments for simple detail work on projects that also create designs not achievable with other tools.
Workwear for the pros
A newcomer to the concrete industry this year was Strauss Workwear. The company is making a powerful impression throughout the US market and at World of Concrete in particular. Assisting in the effort, we brought in a Syracuse, N.Y. based artist, Lori Wilson, who used FloorMap stencils and KEIM Paints to apply the Strauss logo to a wall coated with Classic Coatings overlay. The old west theme was fabricated by David Pettigrew’s crew of Diamond D Concrete, who combined broadcast colors and texture skins and custom-made ostrich footprints to create a dirt floor look. Posts, a header and rafters were made from logs we harvested on the forest floor in Oregon to make the scene complete. I will add that Milwaukee’s battery-powered chainsaw made quick work of the project.
As a sponsor with Decorative Concrete LIVE, Strauss outfitted the Concrete Decor staff and our artisans with work clothes including boots without laces, extraordinarily comfortable work pants, shirts and hoodies imprinted with the Concrete Decor Store logo and the words Artisan at Work on the back. Sporting a pair of new boots myself, the use of a cable tensioner in place of laces has me looking for my boots daily. The work pants are full of compartments that are ergonomic and practical. I would buy these pants for use on the worksite every day and in every type of weather condition. Great products!
Showcasing floor protection
Fifty percent of the Decorative Concrete LIVE space was reserved for a showcase of the floor protection products by Skudo. The remaining areas were covered with ICON’s Ramboard and Trimaco brand products. Both companies’ products performed exceptionally well, allowing attendees to walk through and around spaces without trip hazards. Tracking dirty footprints onto finishes was kept to a minimum, proving that these materials play an integral role in a wide range of projects.
Last fall at the ASCC conference, while visiting with the Milwaukee marketing representatives, we spoke about the Concrete Decor RoadShow trailer’s role as a critical function of the Decorative Concrete LIVE program. This led to Milwaukee outfitting the trailer with every conceivable tool a concrete professional would need. Making the switch not only eliminated the need for 7 different brands of battery chargers, but the tools also performed well. The 36-inch Power Trowel also turned some heads. One of its three batteries did every bit of finishing work that the space required in preparing for the show ahead of time.
Looking to the future
Our goal for the 2026 World of Concrete event is to create over 100 architectural and decorative concrete finishes for attendees to see. Our feeling is that if a contractor can find four or five new finishes they can bring home to their customers, they should enjoy great success throughout the year.
From all of us at Concrete Decor and the Concrete Decor Store, we want to thank the World of Concrete for their valuable support. We would also like to thank our sponsors, seen below, and the many artisans whose involvement creates an industry experience that will only be missed if and when that fire ever burns out.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
