UC Davis' Free Virtual Listening Sessions to Gather Industry Insights

Research funded by the ACI Foundation will utilize insights gathered from stakeholder dialogues.

The University of California, Davis is hosting a series of three free virtual listening sessions aimed at identifying the barriers to implementing innovative concrete materials across the infrastructure value chain. The virtual sessions, scheduled for February 2026, will provide a forum for open dialogue among industry stakeholders to inform an action-oriented roadmap for the future of sustainable infrastructure.

While the ACI Foundation is not organizing these events, it is providing funding for the research project that will launch following the conclusion of these sessions. The insights gathered during these discussions will be critical to guiding that future research.

Transportation infrastructure currently relies heavily on energy- and resource-intensive materials. Emerging technologies offer significant opportunities to improve efficiency and durability while reducing life-cycle costs. However, realizing these benefits requires a deep understanding of the real-world challenges, questions, and uncertainties faced by those who design, produce, and build infrastructure.

Session Schedule:

• Session 1: Governmental and Private Project Owners

  • Date: February 3, 2026

  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST

  • Focus: Addressing the needs and concerns of project owners in adopting new materials.

  • Register: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2QBdoWCgSNukfT42aCNDzw#/registration

• Session 2: Concrete Producers and Contractors

  • Date: February 10, 2026

  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST

  • Focus: Discussing practical implementation challenges on the ground and in production.

  • Register: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c13axyv2SSmzPrQH3hgqUA#/registration

• Session 3: Cement and Alternative Cements, SCMs, Admixture Producers

  • Date: February 20, 2026

  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST

  • Focus: Examining supply chain and manufacturing barriers for innovative components.

  • Register: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rm_ZwYtRT0u7KIB4SYsLAw#/registration

    
    

Registration is free, but attendance for each session is limited to 500 participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from featured speakers and panelists representing a range of institutions and companies, including the American Concrete Institute, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. NEU is a proud supporter of these free virtual listening sessions.