LIMA — Students majoring in concrete technology at Rhodes State College recently attended the World of Concrete 2018 at the Las Vegas, Nevada, Convention Center.

Faculty and students visited exhibits, enjoyed hands-on activities and talked with industry professionals who were part of this annual event. They also visited area landmarks, including the Hoover Dam, during their trip. Rhodes State students majoring in concrete technology have the ability to attend the trade show on behalf of the college. The trip is partially funded through the student enrichment portion of the Roger P. Jones Concrete Technology Scholarship Fund.

World of Concrete is the industry’s only annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. WOC features indoor and outdoor exhibits with the industry’s leading suppliers, showcasing innovative products and technologies, demonstrations and competitions and an education program, World of Concrete now boasts more than 1,500 exhibiting companies and 58,000 registered industry professionals in more than 745,000 square feet of exhibit space.

According to Erik Robey, chairman and assistant professor of the Rhodes State Concrete Technology program, “This trip provides our students the opportunity of a lifetime by exposing them to excellence within the concrete industry. Beyond the hands-on activities and technical training, students meet and network with global companies that will soon be offering them amazing job opportunities all across our nation. The reality is that some of our students had never been on an airplane before this trip. During my 18 years at the college, I have witnessed countless connections created at this event which have resulted in our students landing the jobs of their dreams.”