Command Alkon would like to thank those that attended our annual Customer Conference in Las Vegas from March 12-14, 2007 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.You are truly the reasons why we work so hard to put on a great conference for you. You inspire and challenge us. And for those that didn’t attend, why not?

The 2007 Command Alkon Customer Conference is one of the industry’s longest-running and largest training/tradeshow events. It is well supported by industry leaders and well attended by professionals from the bulk and construction materials industries from around the world. Command Alkon structures its conference to maximize advanced product training alongside an entertainment package that appeals to our varied customer base.

This year’s conference was a whole new experience for everyone as it saw the incorporation of JWS customers into the Command Alkon family of users. We had hoped that a lot of our JWS folks would come out in support of this new conference, and you did not disappoint! Over 200 of our attendees were JWS only customers anxious to hear about Apex product developments, future enhancements and the future of the product line and management staff. We hope that a lot of your questions were answered and that you will continue to attend Command Alkon and JWS conferences in the future. All totaled we had more than 600 attendees from 13 countries join over 100 Command Alkon employees in support of this annual customer event.

Training at this year’s conference utilized the track method of training. Command Alkon divided its training classes into tracks (or groups) to make it easier for you to choose when trying to decide if a class was right for you. Our 2007 tracks were: Batch, Concrete, Aggregate, JWS, Information Technology, Management, Back Office, Spanish and Workplace. In all 143 class sessions were available to attendees over a four day period. Judging from feedback we received from our post conference survey, you found that the mix of classes between tracks and the balance between hands-on and lecture style training was right on target.

Our Management Track was the most popular track at the conference. This track featured training classes on our ConAd Quality Control Product, a COMMANDconcrete roadmap, Dispatch Optimization and COMMANDseries Service Labs that gave customers an opportunity to take any existing issues they had to a Command Alkon service professional and receive one-on-one service from them. These labs were supported and designed so that Command Alkon service personnel could connect to a customer’s site and review with a customer any issue(s) they had. Many said that these labs alone were worth their trip out to Las Vegas as open issues were resolved on the spot.

During our General Session attendees were informed about the latest product initiatives, updates and the future direction of Command Alkon and our products. During this year’s session Phil Ramsey, COO of Command Alkon, defined our company’s purpose as “Helping customers get what they want in the most economical way.” He also said that we will continue to invest in the research and development of new technologies and in our employees, noting that from 2006 to 2007 we added 59 new Command Alkon professionals to service our customers’ needs. To fulfill that purpose Products Business Units designed to focus on bringing the product to market with industry expertise and service capabilities were created. Likewise Jim Wilson, General Manager of the JWS Division, told the crowd that the JWS division is growing, working on integration with the COMMANDseries product and that both the Apex and COMMANDaggregate product lines will still be available and that your investments are protected. Jim said that new and exciting opportunities, resources and markets are now available to JWS and that he looks forward to a great future together with Command Alkon.

During the General Session our very own Jim Wagner was presented the Joseph E. Carpenter Award for lifetime achievement in the ready mixed concrete industry. Jim began his career in 1964 as a dispatcher in Minnesota where he assisted in the development and co-patenting of The Operations Monitor, a mechanical truck-tracking device, and established processes and procedures for concrete scheduling. After dispatching, Jim became certified as a concrete technician and worked in QC and sales. He developed the Concrete Bid Price Calculator and implemented a successful FOB concrete pricing scheme for special customers where delivery was charged separately by the hour. In 1973 he founded his own company and in 1975 introduced the first commercial computerized dispatching system. In 1985 Jim merged his company with Command Data Inc. to integrate more closely with accounting. In 2001 Jim literally wrote the book on concrete dispatching with his top-selling book “The Handbook of Ready-Mix Concrete Dispatch.” This handbook is “the” essential guide to setting up an effective dispatch operation. Dispatchers, shippers, and managers at ready-mix concrete companies around the world have benefited from the invaluable information that Jim given to this industry. Thanks Jim!

Our Customer Conference was not all work and no play. Alongside our training curriculum we offered opportunities to get out and have some fun. The biggest of these fun events was the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race was part of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Over 200 of our attendees enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon watching Jimmie Johnson take the checkered flag. Race fans were provided chartered transportation to and from the Planet Hollywood hotel, a windbreaker jacket and tickets in the Grandstand between turns 3 and 4.

If racing was a little too fast for you, Command Alkon offered special private tours to The Hoover Dam as part of the Conference registration fee. Two tours were made available to attendees to “See What Concrete Built.” These private tours included a theater presentation, a trip down to the power plant, a chance to stand on top of the 30’ adit pipe and a trip to the Observation Deck. We understand that there was a little bit of excitement each day during our tour. Apparently the Hoover Dam has only had 3 fire alarms in the past 15 years, two of them being on back to back days when we showed up. Luckily for us, the feds have cleared us of any suspicion ;-). Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Next time we’re in Vegas, look for more tours to this national treasure.

The Command Alkon Annual Golf Tournament was also another nice diversion from the classroom. Blue skies and temperate weather greeted our golfers as they arrived at the Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock, site of the 2007 tournament. Tournament players were given a golf shirt, transportation to and from the Planet Hollywood, lunch and an evening reception where prizes were given out. To shake things up a bit, Command Alkon gave away a prize for each hole which included an iPod nano, Calloway golf balls, a Leatherman tool, golf accessories, gift certificates and other prizes. Command Alkon would like to thank all of those that played golf this year. Congratulations to our 2007 tournament winners: Tom Curling, Boxley Materials Co. Mike Yates, Boxley Materials Co. Tom Yates, Boxley Materials Co. Walker Scott, Command Alkon

Beginning that Monday evening and continuing through until the end of the show was our Conference Tradeshow. Our Tradeshow gave attendees the opportunity to visit industry related companies and review products and services that are relevant to our industry. We would like to thank our sponsoring and exhibiting companies at this year’s show. Results from our post conference survey said that more than 90% of conference attendees found the tradeshow relevant and worthwhile to their businesses. Look for a more expanded tradeshow at next year’s conference.

After all was said and done we hope that you enjoyed our 2007 Customer Conference. It was our largest and most successful to date. We will continue to review feedback from our survey to make sure that you, our customer, get what you want in terms of training, entertainment and interaction with our employees. Photos from this year’s conference have been uploaded to our server and are accessible via the USB drives (that holds your conference presentations) we gave to each attendee. On behalf of our 390 employees worldwide, thank you for your support of this event. We look forward to serving you next year!

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