Construction and Bulk Materials producers from around the globe descended upon Las Vegas in late March looking for ways to improve efficiencies and increase productivity. What they found was an oasis of knowledge springing forth from the desert floor; or, in our case, erupting from the volcanoes of the Mirage Resort and Casino!

The Command Alkon Customer Conference 2009 took place from March 30th through April 1st at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Command Alkon’s conference is one of the industry’s largest and longest-running events. The format provides customers with product training, one-on-one lab opportunities, beneficial industry updates, an industry specific trade show, entertainment, and an opportunity to share ideas by gathering together the largest knowledge base of Command Alkon products in the world – you!

This year’s conference was focused on helping customers identify and optimize revenue streams, lower their operating costs, and making them more efficient and productive. In these trying economic times, Command Alkon was even more attune to helping customers get the most out of their conference experience. We accomplished these goals through hands-on product training, round-table discussions, forum groups, expanded customer service labs to resolve existing customer issues, lectures from industry leaders, and an extensive selection of new and existing product training designed to empower customers to work smarter, focus on costs, and generate more revenue for their companies.

Training at this year’s conference was structured so that attendees could benefit from the expertise and experience that Command Alkon has to offer to the construction and bulk materials industries. Our track method of training at the conference allowed customers to stay on one path of training, or mix them up, allowing an attendee to maximize his or her time by training on a variety of Command Alkon and JWS products. Tracks for 2009 included: Lab, Concrete Plant Automation, Concrete, Bulk Materials, Quality Control, Management, Back Office, Information Technology, Workplace, and Spanish.

Some of the newer class topics covered at this year’s conference included: Analysis using COMMANDqc, Apex Dispatch with COMMANDtrack, Tuning your System with COMMANDoptimize, COMMANDseries Caller ID Interface, Financial Analysis and Operational Balancing, and many others! In all, attendees had the opportunity to attend over 90 sessions designed to improve efficiencies and increase productivity.

New for this year was the addition of 9 classes certified by the NRMCA as qualifying for their Certified Concrete Professional designation. The NRMCA Certified Concrete Professional is the industry’s top professional designation. To earn the CCPf designation, participants must successfully complete 120 hours of coursework across 4 important areas of study. For more information on the NRMCA and their CCPf program, please visit their web site at http://nrmca.org/products/CCPf.asp .

Accompanying this excellent lineup of courses, Command Alkon provided attendees with opportunities to attend our expanded Product Service Labs. These labs were provided for a variety of product lines and allowed customers to work one-on-one with service professionals, application experts, IT staff, programmers, and managers on service issues and application or database questions. Product Service Lab times were available each day and open until 8:00 p.m. one evening to allow everyone an opportunity to resolve their issues while at the Conference. Labs covering COMMANDseries, Batch, Apex, as well as COMMANDperformance, COMMANDfleet, and invoicing and receivables consulting were available.

In addition to training and lab opportunities, the Command Alkon General Session, which kicked off the start of the conference, gave attendees a look at the current and future product directions of Command Alkon. Senior Product Manager, Mandy Cherry, and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Ramsey, presented customers with a look across the spectrum of Command Alkon products lines. Mr. Ramsey went on to say that Command Alkon is a strong partner in these challenging times. That it is our relationships with our customers, our strong market position around the world, our continued investment in research and development, and the knowledgeable professionals at Command Alkon are what will sustain the company now and in the future.

Adding to Mr. Ramsey’s comments, special guest, Pierre Villere, of Allen Villere Partners, presented an in-depth analysis of the industry’s current market situation and a peek at the future for the construction and bulk materials industries. Mr. Villere told the crowd that despite the recent economic challenges, he believes that that industry will turn the corner in 2009 and that we will witness a robust recovery by the end of 2010. He also went on to say that “shovel ready” projects as part of the President’s stimulus plan are just the beginning, and that this will give rise to further construction starts through all sectors as the economy shows signs of relief.

Also during the General Session, renowned international stars, Siegfried and Roy (with Montecore the tiger), made a special appearance at the show. The trio, aptly played by JWS founders, Jim Wilson, Scott Killough, and Mark Jarvis were a big hit with those in attendance. The trio joined Mr. Ramsey on stage for a light-hearted, humorous look at how the world found itself in an economic crisis. The trio made another special appearance that evening at the conference trade show and reception.

It wasn’t all work and no play. The Command Alkon Customer Conference Trade Show and Reception was THE place for attendees to wind down, relax, and talk with exhibitors representing a wide variety of products and services within the construction and bulk materials industries. The tradeshow featured 22 exhibit booths, along with the Command Alkon booth/Internet café, food, beverages, and an opportunity to network with peers. This year’s trade show was greatly improved by the arrival of a brand new concrete mixer truck brought in by exhibitor Continental Manufacturing, a premier manufacturer of concrete mixer trucks and mixer truck replacement parts.

Be on the lookout for our 2010 Conference dates. Rumors are that we will be back on the east coast in New Orleans in the fall of 2010. Until then, if you would like more information about Command Alkon and other training opportunities, please visit our web site at www.commandalkon.com/training.asp.