September 2018 Newsletter|Issue #13
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The ability to communicate with ease has put a new face on the way we do business. Grabbing the attention of our customers, or potential customers, happens in a multitude of ways. In this unique position I hold, the form of communication I use is as varied as the person I am interacting with. When I visit a university, I’m facing a youthful crowd that inter- acts solely on an electronic level. They desire all information to be at their fingertips at a moments notice. They access our website as I am speaking to them. Communicating with them needs to be easy and fast. This isn’t always the case with other people I communicate with. Picking up the phone or sitting across the dinner table is sometimes the method necessary to “connect” with those of a different mindset. The point is, we greet our customers where they are and how they want to be greeted. We provide avenues that fit the manner in which they seek us out. We “sell” ourselves using a myriad of techniques that is sure to reach each one in some way. Take a minute to think about how you are reaching out to your customers, or potential customers...are you reaching ALL of them?
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On August 13th, 6 producers from 4 PCI regions met in Little Rock, AR to help engineers from the DOT Bridge Department learn more about
precast/prestressed bridge products.
Leading the instruction was Dave Tomley P.E., Thompson Engineering, Chair of PCI Gulf South’s Transportation Committee. Attendees were exposed to such topics as basic girder design, lateral stability, standard precast connections, girder camber, new and innovative technologies and PCI’s Body of Knowledge. There were productive conversations between producer/designers and an open discussion on producer capabilities ensued. As a testament to what can be accomplished when multiple regions of PCI collaborate to help the design community, nothing but positive reviews and gratitude came from the DOT personnel. We look forward to more collaboration and helping the DOT’s.
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2nd Annual PCI Golf Classic
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The 2nd Annual PCI Golf Classic to benefit the
PCI Foundation
is being held at the Windance Country Club in Gulfport, MS on Wednesday, November 7th beginning at 9 am. We are excited to host our second charity event and look forward to a great crowd of golfers on the beautiful fairways at the Windance. If you haven’t already registered to play and/or if you would like to sponsor a hole, visit the PCI Gulf South website for all the details and a payment link. The event will feature raffles, prizes and fun for all. Bring your friends/family/co-workers and enjoy some exercise and sunshine all to benefit the valuable mission of the PCI Foundation.
Tulane University
is the first university to receive a grant in the PCI Gulf South region.
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A
BIG
thank you to our current sponsors so far! Please consider a sponsorship if you haven't already.
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PCI Gulf South offers a variety of ways to reach the existing design community.
The Learn@Lunch program was developed to allow professionals the opportunity to learn about precast products and systems.
Get the design credits you need and a free lunch all without having to leave the office!
Call or email today to schedule your Learn@Lunch!
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Pile Driving Contractor's Association
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The Gulf Coast chapter of the National Pile Driving Contractor’s Association held their 3rd quarter meeting in Biloxi, MS on August 23rd. While not everyone in the room was involved in the concrete pile community (some were wood piling and steel piling), it was an interesting conversation regarding
auger cast
and how it has impacted the pile community in our region. The ultimate takeaway from the evening was to not take a product for granted and not underestimate the impact on your market. As always, educating owners/decision makers will always be the top priority when trying to preserve the longevity of your product. It’s no fun trying to play “catch up” against a competing product.
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Educating future designers is one of the most important aspects of any association in the construction industry. It’s always a highlight of my travels when I can talk to students in the university setting. On August 29th, I had an opportunity to talk to a precast/prestressed graduate class at Auburn University. At the request of Dr. Barnes, I gave a “practical” presentation of the precast/prestressed industry. As part of a 6 part program that PCI Gulf South has developed, the introductory series is a general overview of what the industry is and how a “typical” project would proceed from estimating/sales to the final project close out. Discussing the “non-technical” aspects of the precast industry provides an opportunity for some insightful conversation. As anyone who has spent time in the construction field knows, it’s those “ things they don’t teach in college” that seem to consume most of your time. It was fun to combine both the technical/practical aspects of the industry to give the students a well-rounded picture of the industry. GO TIGERS!
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If you are a
recently graduated student
and want to continue to receive emails from PCI Gulf South please be sure to update your email address as
most school email addresses
expire after 6 months!
To update, simply forward your new email address to
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The 2017-2018 PCI Big Beam competition results are in we would like to give a shout out to the University of Alabama for placing 3rd in the competition. Working with
Gate Precas
t of Monroeville, AL, the following students placed third with a score of 54.75 points: Sumedh Sharma, Daniel Valentim, Emily Gould, Gabrielle Willis. Dr. Sriram Aaleti acted as faculty advisor for the competition. The 3rd place finish came with a $ 1500 prize. Great job Alabama! Roll Tide!
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Self-consolidating concrete, also known as SCC, is a highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that spreads into place, fills form work, and encapsulates even the most congested reinforcement, all without any mechanical vibration. So fluid is the mix, that it is not measured in normal “ slump” but as a spread. Typical spreads can range from 21” to 26”. First developed in Japan in the 1980’s as a result of labor shortages, SCC is gaining in popularity in the US for the same reasons.
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Tulane University Presentation
September 12, 2018
New Orleans, LA
PCI Gulf South Fall Board Meeting
September 18, 2018
Hattiesburg, MS
AIA Louisiana Annual Convention
September 27, 2018
New Orleans, LA
PCI Committee Days
October, 2018
Rosemont, IL
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PCI Gulf South Golf Classic
November 7, 2018
Gulport, MS
PCI Gulf South Winter Meeting
November 7-8, 2018
Biloxi, MS
DBIA Annual Convention
November 7th-9th, 2018
New Orleans, LA
PCI Executive Directors Workshop
December 5, 2018
Orlando, FL
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Marketing Council Meeting
December 6-7, 2018
Orlando, FL
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