Source: Melinda Sinn, 785-532-5888, sinnpio@k-state.edu
Web sites: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/scholer/registration.shtml and http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/masonry/registration.shtml
News release prepared by: Jared Betts, 785-532-2529, betts290@k-state.edu

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

K-STATE CONFERENCES TO HELP CONCRETE AND MASONRY PROFESSIONALS DEVELOP MORE SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

MANHATTAN -- Two upcoming Kansas State University conferences -- the Kansas Masonry Conference and the Scholer-Peterson Concrete Conference -- will offer timely information as the nation seeks to build and repair bridges, roads, water systems and airports through the most economical and sustainable means. Both conferences will be on the K-State campus in early February.

The fourth annual Kansas Masonry Conference, "The Sustainable Choice for Thousands of Years," will be Wednesday, Feb. 3. It will focus on the improvement of the production, design and uses of quality masonry products. Speaker presentations include "Sustainable Masonry: A Contractor's Perspective" and "A Review of LEED V3.0 and Green Attributes of Masonry."

The 33rd annual Scholer-Peterson Concrete Conference, "Build Green -- Save Green," will address the production, use and placement of quality concrete and concrete products. This year's conference, Thursday, Feb. 4, features topics like "LEED: Going Green with Concrete" and "Can Decorative Concrete Be Green."

Jim Goddard, K-State professor of architectural engineering and construction science who coordinates both conferences, said that people in fields like architecture, code enforcement and public works, education, engineering, contracting and real estate can apply the information from either conference to their profession. Students can also attend the conferences.

"The conferences' focus on going green with concrete and masonry this year not only helps the national need to develop and maintain cost-effective infrastructure, but it also aligns with the university's continued efforts toward sustainability," Goddard said.

A discounted preregistration fee is available for participants attending both the Scholer-Peterson Concrete Conference and the Kansas Masonry Conference. Each conference offers the option of earning six professional development hours.

"A lot of professionals working in masonry and concrete are required to earn 30 professional development hours or learning units every two years to renew their Kansas licensure, and attending both of these daylong conferences at K-State will help meet their licensure needs," Goddard said. "We always try to keep registration costs to a minimum so these conferences are more accessible to those who need to keep current in the field."

Conference information and registration are available online at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/scholer/registration.shtml and http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/masonry/registration.shtml

More information also is available by contacting the K-State Division of Continuing Education conference registration office at 785-532-5569 or 1-800-432-8222.