CCPPA Fall Meetings

Quick answer: Welcome Reception & Trade Show: CCPPA and CPCI

Collaboration, Education, and Industry Growth in Montreal

Welcome Reception & Trade Show: CCPPA and CPCI

The Canadian Concrete Pipe & Precast Association (CCPPA) gathered members, suppliers, and international guests in Montreal this October for its 2025 Fall Meetings. A week focused on collaboration, education, and industry growth.

In partnership with the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI), the event united two pillars of Canada’s precast concrete infrastructure sector – highlighting shared priorities around innovation, quality, and sustainability.

Advancing Knowledge

Learning and Knowledge Sharing

To begin, the week opened with the CCPPA Infrastructure Committee meeting, covering technical developments, market insights, and upcoming research opportunities.

Later that evening, a joint CCPPA & CPCI welcoming reception brought members together to connect and collaborate. Attendees networked and enjoyed a first look at our new Coast to Coast video – highlighting the people and projects shaping Canada’s precast concrete industry.

Education Stream Highlights

Throughout the week, Supplier Members delivered training sessions on products, services, and best practices. Presentation highlights included:

• Concrete Raw Materials – St. Mary’s Cement
• Concrete Mix Design Basics – Euclid Chemical
• Lined Products Best Practices – Titan Environment Containment
• Efficient Production Using Mesh – Nusmesh & Laurel Steel
• Preventative Maintenance – Afinitas
• Admix Dispensing Best Practices – Mapei
• Handling and Lifting Best Practices – Dayton Superior
• Quality Control Best Practices – Master Builders Solutions
• Gaskets: Everything You Wanted to Know – Press-Seal Corporation

Collectively, these sessions reinforced the industry’s commitment to education, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Recognizing Leadership

Honouring Industry Leaders

Midway through the week, at Wednesday’s CCPPA dinner, Mark Omelaniec and Gerry Mulhern were presented with CCPPA Honorary Memberships, recognizing their long-standing contributions to the association and leadership in advancing Canada’s concrete pipe and precast industry.

Keynote Perspectives

Steve Howe

Workplace safety advocate Steve Howe delivered a powerful keynote that resonated deeply with members across Canada’s precast and construction industries. After surviving a life-changing workplace accident at age 22, Steve turned his experience into a mission to prevent similar incidents from happening to others.

Today, a respected leader in safety culture, he helps organizations shift from reactive to preventative practices. Emphasizing communication, accountability, and trust as the foundation of a safer industry.

Chuck Hughes

Additionally, celebrity chef, entrepreneur, and author Chuck Hughes delivered an engaging keynote that linked the precision and teamwork of the kitchen to those of the manufacturing floor.

He shared lessons on leadership, quality, and customer focus – further drawing parallels between culinary excellence and precast craftsmanship.

Strengthening Connections and Global Perspectives

Global Perspectives

On Thursday, the event hosted the International Pipe & Precast Summit, with speakers from:

• Beton Müller, representing FBS (Bundesfachverband Betonkanalsysteme eV) in Germany.
• Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia (CPAA), representing Producers from Australia and New Zealand.
• American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA), representing Producers from the United States of America.

The summit offered valuable insights into global standards, manufacturing innovation, and sustainability practices.

Lastly, the event concluded with a joint CCPPA and CPCI luncheon and a lively, fun social event later in the evening, wrapping up a successful week of learning and connection.

Looking Ahead

Overall, from technical innovation to international collaboration, this year’s CCPPA Fall Meetings in Montreal showcased the strength and unity of Canada’s precast concrete industry.

Finally, thank you to all members, speakers, and partners who made the event possible – and to everyone helping build the infrastructure backbone that supports communities across Canada.