National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) gathers for annual convention and awards in Montreal this October Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature The National Precast Concrete Association’s 49th an- nual convention takes place in Montreal this October at Le Centre Sheraton. The event brings together company owners and top-level managers for association business, executive training and a look into the future. The association represents the industry in both the U.S. and Canada, with its head office in Carmel, Indiana, near Indianapolis. In addition to a top-flight educational program, the convention includes the precast marketplace exhibit hall, committee meetings and special networking events. It also includes the chairman’s banquet gala event and awards presentations. Among the awards is the Yoakum Award, named after industry and NPCA pioneer Robert Yoakum. The award reminds future generations of the vision and leadership he displayed in his efforts to create NPCA and has be- come the most prestigious award and longest-running in the precast concrete industry. It is presented to a member who exemplifies Yokum's vision through long- time service to NPCA and to the precast concrete indus- try. The Douglas G. Hoskin Award, named in honour of one of the NPCA's Canadian founders, recognizes the NPCA member who has sponsored the most new mem- bers during the previous 12 months. The association also presents several awards at The Precast Show, an annual spring trade show. The Creative Use of Precast (CUP) Awards, sponsored by Tricon Precast Ltd., recognizes projects promoting the innovative and cost-saving advantages of precast con- crete and is divided into categories for underground and above-ground projects. Judging criteria includes: project innovation, cost benefits and ease of construction. The Pinnacle Awards, sponsored by Spillman Com- pany, provide NPCA producer members with “a forum to showcase their creative solutions for everyday chal- lenges that occur in the precast plant.” Finally, awards will be presented at the trade show in the categories of safety and sustainability. At the chairman’s banquet, outgoing chair Brent Dezember of StructureCast in Bakersfield, California, will end his one-year term and the culmination of years on the board of directors, executive committee and three years as an officer of NPCA with a speech to attendees. He will also welcome incoming chair Michael Tidwell of Bartow Precast in Cartersville, Georgia. The NPCA Foundation, created to introduce the fea- tures and benefits of precast concrete products and cre- ate a more educated specifying community, will hold two fundraising activities including a curling event and a silent auction. Other activities include a downtown tour, a Montreal dining tour, an old Montreal walking tour and a flavours tour. For more information, visit http://precast.org/convention. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2014 – 21