The Insulating Concrete Forms Association’s 2008 Meeting and Expo will be held Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at the Doubletree Hotel Lloyd Center in Portland, Ore. This year’s event is expected to be bigger than ever. Based on the higher benchmark set by last year’s event, attendees can look forward to learning about new industry trends and products, attend training sessions, and as always, enjoy networking with industry peers.

ICFA Executive Director Steve Heller, looking forward to this year’s meeting in Portland, a strong green building market, commented that “the ICF industry has passed the initial point of acceptance and is now well positioned to take a leadership position in sustainable construction. The association’s goal is to provide the strength of organization to support this market growth.”

The ICFA Expo has emerged as a major attraction and source of information for the entire industry. It has become the event where ICF contractors and distributors come to hear about new products and construction practices, the event where ICF manufacturers come to learn about industry trends and innovations and the event where ICF promoters come to learn new techniques from their peers. Products displayed at past ICFA Expos have included: Bracing and Scaffolding, Waterproofing, Cutting and Fastening Tools, Exterior Sidings, Foam Fabricating Services, Window Bucks and more.

Joe Casassa, chair of the ICFA Board of Directors, noted that last year’s addition of ICFA manufacturer exhibits to the expo signals a new focus on contractors and building professionals: “While this meeting continues to provide a forum for the ICF industry players to network and learn of industry improvements, the expo now also serves as a resource for installers to gain new product knowledge.” The show in Portland will also offer installer seminars, and a professional track to help attract local contractors, architects and engineers.

Plans are also being made to hold affiliated industry sessions, such as the National Association of Home Builders’ “Building with Insulating Concrete Forms” course, an AIA “Introduction to ICFs” for local design professionals, and a “Sustainable Solutions through Building Science” seminar for contractors. Sign-up links for these sessions will be provided on the ICFA website.

In addition, ICFA will soon be accepting awards for its third annual ICFA Excellence Awards program. The ICFA Awards program promotes the outstanding features and benefits insulating concrete form buildings offer customers throughout North America. Project entries are due on or before July 31, 2008. Winners will be recognized during the ICFA Excellence Award’s Luncheon at the 2008 Meeting and Expo.

More information about ICFA’s Meeting and Expo 2008 will be posted on the Web sitewww.forms.org.