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Surviving 2020 World of Concrete: Staying Germ Free

World of Concrete 2020 is in Las Vegas next week. 60,000+ in attendance, here is what you should know about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

1/31/2020

World of Concrete 2020

The World of Concrete (WOC) is perhaps the biggest show of the year for the concrete and construction industry. The international event traditionally takes place in Las Vegas around the last week of January or first week of February, with this years dates being February 4-7, 2020 and tens of thousands of visitors in attendance to see innovative new things in concrete.

The World of Concrete is one of the top 10 conventions in Las Vegas, that just so happens to be in the smack-dab middle of flu season. This year hits a little differently because not only is it flu season, but there is a scary new virus originating out of Wuhan, China. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, has currently spread to 20+ countries and territories worldwide and has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the last several days as a Global Health Emergency. In the United States, there are currently six confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, including one person-to-person spread of the virus in Chicago, Illinois.

Over the next few days 60,000+ people from all over the world will be travelling to Las Vegas to attend the week-long World of Concrete convention. There will be a lot of interactions amongst people such as handshakes between new acquaintances, hugging amongst old friends, the chance for small talk with the distribution of flyers and business cards. There will also be germs lingering on the hands-on tools and machinery demos to pens used to sign up for discounts and newsletters.

Show Manager for the World of Concrete, Kevin Archibald said last year the convention "brought in record breaking attendees, exceptional exhibits, and a very solid rebook rate of just over 538,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space," for this year.

With more people showing up than last year, what does this mean for the people coming in from China? Are they still attending or are there people who will be there in place of them? How do we avoid getting sick from those with the flu or respiratory illnesses?

One of the 65 Chinese Exhibitors Is From Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Wuhan Company Exhibiting at WOC 2020

The World of Concrete show management and operations was contacted for a statement regarding the Coronavirus oubreak in Wuhan. There was no reply or statement given considering 65 of their exhibitors next week are from China and one is from Wuhan, China. Many members of the various professional concrete groups on Facebook who will be in attendance this year, are also asking questions as they feel out of the loop as to what is happening with the booths booked by China and other countries facing the devastating outbreak.

World of Concrete 2020

There are so many questions we don’t have the answer to, but one that we do have is how to take precautions when going to a convention this size at this time of the year.

CDC Recommended Precautions To Prevent The Spread of Viruses

While, there is currently no vaccine to prevent the 2019-nCoV infection and the flu shot is only a prediction of what flu a majority of the population will have. The best way to prevent infection of others is to stay home when you are sick to reduce the spread of the illness. However, as a reminder, the Center of Disease Control recommends everyday precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

Healthy Precautions To Stay Germ Free

  • Wash Your Hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid Close Contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover Your Cough / Sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean & Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

These precautions are habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses at events like the World of Concrete, where there will be upwards of 60,000 people roaming the convention halls. Face masks are sold out almost everywhere, but will there be a shortage at stores near the convention next week?

The CDC does not recommend wearing the mask for preventative wear as they are very popular and attention grabbing, they do not provide much protection against the Coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses. It is to some degree effective to those who are sick who do not wish to spread their germs, but the primary defense against a disease like the Coronavirus is frequently washing your hands and not touching your face.

A Big Question Remains: Will Attendees Avoid Chinese Exhibitors?

Chinese Exhibitors at World of Concrete

So, after all this, our contingent from our business is still headed to Vegas on Monday for the week to attend the show! If anyone wants to get together in Vegas, send us a message.

Related Links To The Breaking Coronavirus

Be Safe At WOC This Year, Here Are Some Photos From Last Year

  • World of Concrete
  • World of Concrete
  • World of Concrete
  • World of Concrete
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About The Author

Arizona Journalist Quindrea Yazzie

Quindrea Yazzie is a Phoenix-based journalist who specializes in digital content and client relations. Prior to Slide-lok, she has written for The State Press as an arts and culture reporter, AZ PBS as a digital producer and breaking news reporter and Indian Country Today as a reporter and producer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. When she is not writing, she enjoys running, trying new coffee blends, hiking and finding new ways to be sustainable.

Keywords: coronavirus, woc, world, of, concrete, world of concrete, 2020, convention, las vegas, nevada

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Find a Slide-Lok Garage Floor & Cabinet dealer in your area.

Call: 1-800-835-1759
E-mail: Click to e-mail.

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