Blended Cements Workshop - Newport Beach

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
8:30 AM
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (Plaza I & II)
 
8:45 AM
OVERVIEW OF BLENDED CEMENT
  • Evolving Cement Specifications
  • Types of Blended Cement
  • Impact of Cement Characteristics on Concrete Properties

Michelle Wilson, Senior Director, Concrete Technology and Industry Outreach, American Cement Association

9:30 AM
MANUFACTURE OF BLENDED CEMENT: Cement Supplier

Gary Kirk, Vice President of Technical Services, CalPortland Company

10:00 AM
BREAK
 
10:15 AM
EVALUATION OF CEMENTITIOUS MATERIALS
  • Review of Mill Test Report
  • Mortar Tests
  • Concrete Tests

Brian Killingsworth, Chief Technical and Industry Officer, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

11:00 AM
OPTIMIZING MIX DESIGNS: Concrete Producer

Lauro Rivas, Vice President of Technical Services, CalPortland

11:30 AM
PRECONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST
  • Project Planning
  • Quality Control
  • Acceptance Criteria

Chris Sullivan, Technical Director, American Society of Concrete Contractors

12:00 PM
LUNCH BREAK (Lunch Provided - Plaza Arbor)
 
1:00 PM
WORKING WITH BLENDED CEMENTS: Contractor Perspective

Maizer Ouijdani, Vice President - Southern California Region, The Conco Companies

1:30 PM
FUTURE OF BLENDED CEMENT
  • Emerging Trends and Innovations
  • Future Research Needs

Larry Sutter, Professor Emeritus and Research Professor, Michigan Technology University

2:30 PM
BREAK
 
2:45 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION w/ Q&A
  • Cement / Concrete / Contractor Perspectives
3:30 PM
INDUSTY RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS
 
3:45 PM
CLOSING REMARKS