NAMC Conference

Key Dates

Hotel Reservation Deadline: May 30, 2019
Presentation Submissions: June 3, 2019
Regular Registration Deadline*: June 11, 2019
*Late & on-site registrations will be charged an additional $100.

Keynote Speakers

Innovation in Masonry Today

This talk will address the important role of innovation to the masonry industry in today’s world. Different types of innovation will be described, including incremental, gradual changes; and revolutionary or disruptive innovation. Various sources of innovation will be explored, including linear focused research; interdisciplinarian research involving other fields; the psychology of innovation; biomimicry as a source of innovation; and the unexpected, “opened door” source of innovation. The challenges of innovation will be described: including fundraising, intellectual property, green technology, the importance of credentials, evangelizing new technology, converting others, establishing a technical standard and obtaining a critical mass. The speaker will address all of these considerations in the real-world context of his own experiences in the development of using specialty manufactured concrete block to build masonry roof arches, domes, spheres, flying buttresses, boats & ships, and much more. This talk will summarize the role of profitable innovation in the masonry industry relative to society, our country and the wider needs of today’s world.
Peter Roberts
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Spherical Block, LLC

Peter Roberts is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of innovative masonry systems at Spherical Block, LLC. Peter is a masonry designer entrepreneur inspired to develop profitable, sustainable and scalable solutions for expanding the use of manufactured concrete block into topological designs, using block to provide roofs, such as arches and domes. He is at the vanguard of this entirely new use of concrete block, creating new applications, uses and markets for concrete block at scale. Peter has earned a reputation for utilizing existing production methods and materials to provide a profitable new realm for manufactured concrete masonry products. His work is suitable for affordable, high-strength building designs viable for withstanding severe weather events, wildfires, tsunamis, seismic applications, infrastructure, kilns and more. Peter has been granted six awards from the National Science Foundation, and two awards from the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority toward the development and characterization of this innovative masonry technology. Peter’s work has been identified as a Cutting-Edge Technology by the American Concrete Institute. Peter has authored 18 US patents. He holds a Bsc in Masonry Science from Alfred University’s New York State College of Ceramics. In his spare time, Peter is an avid outdoors enthusiast and devotes his time to pottery, sculpture, metal working, glass blowing and music. He is currently working to obtain a positive evaluation of his company’s technology from International Code Council – Evaluation Services. He can be contacted at roberts.peter01@gmail.com.

From whence to here and where?

The evolution of masonry will be examined to establish where the industry is today. Current pressures and influencers will be reviewed to consider how the industry needs to adapt to those pressures and influencers. The need for closer industry-researcher interaction will be exposed in order for the industry to be proactive in response to certain predicted inevitabilities. The intent of the presentation is to provoke thought, discussion and debate.
Nigel Shrive, MA, DPhil, FTMS
University of Calgary
Department of Civil Engineering

Professor Nigel Shrive has researched in masonry for over 40 years. Based at the University of Calgary, he has collaborations with colleagues in Australia, Brazil, Europe and the USA. He has served on the Boards of Directors of The Masonry Society and the International Masonry Society and has been recognized for his contributions to the advancement of masonry through the Scalzi Award from TMS, the HWH (Timber) West Award from the IMS and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. Nigel serves on four technical committees of the Canadian Standards Association – Structural design of masonry, mortar and grout, masonry construction, whilst also representing the masonry industry on the committee for structural applications of Fibre Reinforced Polymers. Nigel has been elected fellow of both the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Canada for his contributions to engineering.

Venue

The 13th North American Masonry Conference will be held at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center hotel, located in the heart of Salt Lake City. The hotel is within walking distance from many of downtown Salt Lake City’s most notable attractions.

The hotel features numerous ballrooms and meeting rooms that all adjoin a spacious pre-function area. Dedicated elevators link the area directly to the garage beneath the hotel. The meeting areas can be easily accessed from State Street and Gallivan Plaza.

The hotel can be reached directly from Salt Lake City International Airport by taking the TRAX Green Line to the Gallivan Plaza Station. The trip is approximately 20 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes during the day.

The hotel is within the UTA free fare zone and can be reached for free via train or bus from most downtown destinations. More information about fares, routes, and timetables can be found at www.rideuta.com.

The conference seeks to provide a forum to professionals from around the world for networking and sharing the latest advances in masonry knowledge and practice. The conference will feature tracks of interest to masonry researchers, designers, practitioners, educators, and building managers. Certificates of Attendance for conference sessions will be available for attendees.



Registration

Early registration rates for the conference are shown below. TMS Members receive a 25% discount on their registration. Become a TMS Member to save more on 13NAMC registration than the cost of your membership!

13NAMC attendees can also register for the TMS Spring Meeting at no additional cost. That option will be shown after adding the conference registration to your cart.

*Early Registration Rates end May 8th, 2019. On-site registrations will charged an additional $100.
TMS Members: To ensure you receive your discount, make sure you are logged-in and have renewed your 2019 membership.

Register for the Conference

Click here to see the conference roster (last updated May 28, 2019)

  • Full
  • Early Registration

    $870

  • TMS Members: $650
  • Regular registration:

    $ 1,000

  • TMS Members: $750
  • Conference Banquet, Closing Luncheon, & Receptions
  • All conference Breaks and Lunches
  • Access to all Sessions
  • Printed copy of Conference Program and Book of Abstracts
  • Digital copy of Conference Proceedings
  • Access to exclusive conference Tours
  • Student
  • Early Registration

    $300

  • TMS Members: $225
  • Regular registration:

    $360

  • TMS Members: $270
  • Conference Banquet, Closing Luncheon, & Receptions
  • All conference Breaks and Lunches
  • Access to all Sessions
  • Printed copy of Conference Program and Book of Abstracts
  • Digital copy of
    Conference Proceedings
  • Access to Student Reception
  • One-Day
  • Early Registration

    $500

  • TMS Members: $375
  • Regular registration:

    $600

  • TMS Members: $450
  • Conference Banquet, Closing Luncheon, & Receptions
  • All conference Breaks and Lunches
  • Access to all Sessions
  • Printed copy of Conference Program and Book of Abstracts
  • Digital copy of
    Conference Proceedings

Destination

Salt Lake City International Airport is serviced by nine major airlines. The airport has over 300 daily non-stop flights to 85 destinations in the U.S. and to 10 international destinations:

  • Amsterdam
  • Calgary
  • Cancun
  • Guadalajara
  • London
  • Los Cabos
  • Mexico City
  • Paris
  • Puerto Vallarta
  • Toronto









Accommodations

Salt Lake City Marriott City Center
220 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 84111
Phone: 801-961-8700
Fax: 801-961-8703

Use this link to make your hotel room reservation or call the hotel and specify the TMS/NAMC Room Block rate. The room block rate is available for reservations from June 13th through June 19th. The room block rate closes May 30, 2019 or whenever the room block fills up.

TMS TMS/NAMC Guest Room rate is 159.00 USD per night and includes the following:

  • Free high-speed internet
  • Fitness center
  • Pool

Parking is available at the hotel at the following rates:

  • Valet parking: 22.00 USD daily
  • On-site parking: 4.00 USD hourly, 17.00 USD daily







Transportation

The Marriott City Center Hotel does not provide shuttle transportation between the Hotel and the airport. The Hotel is 6.5 miles from the airport.

Transportation Options
  • TRAX Light Rail Green Line Service – The TRAX/light rail Green Line leaves the airport every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. The TRAX stop is located at the south end of Terminal 1. See the Airport Terminal Map. Cost is 2.50 USD one way. The TRAX stop is only 1/10 of a mile from the Hotel. Exit TRAX at the Gallivan Plaza Station and walk across the plaza as shown below.
  • Express Shuttle – Fee: 10 USD (one way), reservation required. 801- 596 – 1600
  • Taxis – Estimated taxi fare: 25 USD (one way)
  • Uber and Lyft from your smart phone app
  • Driving directions if you rent a car
    1. Take I-80 East to the City Center/600 South exit.
    2. Continue on 600 South and turn left on State Street.
    3. Hotel is 3 blocks north on the left hand side.
    4. Make a legal u-turn to your left to enter property.
    5. Parking rates for the Hotel: On-site parking, 17 USD daily rate, Valet parking, 22 USD daily rate.

Tours & Events

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

When: Sunday, June 16, 8:00 – 10:30 AM
Where: Meet other attendees in the Lobby of the Salt Lake City Center Marriott Hotel no later than 8 AM to walk (3/4 mile), or share rides, to Temple Square at 60 W. North Temple Street. Alternately, provide your own transportation and meet us there.
Cost: Free (unless you wish to take a taxi)

Join fellow attendees and listen to the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on Sunday morning (June 16) from 8 AM until about 10:30 AM. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is a 360-member chorus of men and women, all volunteers, that is often referred to as “America’s Choir” due to the high standard of popular choral music. They have performed around the world in acclaimed concert halls from the United States, Australia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East including at several World’s Fairs, expositions, and at inaugurations of several U.S. presidents.

Admission to the performance is free but is limited to those eight years of age and older. Doors open to the public at 8:30 AM, and guests should be seated by 9:15 AM, when the doors are closed. The broadcast is 30 minutes in length and ends at 10:00 AM.

Respectful dress clothes (i.e. “Sunday Dress”) rather than sports jerseys, sun dresses, shorts, and tennis shoes, are recommended.

Conference attendees and their guests should meet other attendees in the hotel lobby no later than 8 AM to walk (3/4 mile), or share rides, to Temple Square at 60 W. North Temple Street. Alternately, provide your own transportation and meet us there.

TMS members will meet in the hotel lobby and leave promptly at 8 AM to walk 3/4 mile to Temple Square (or share rides as desired).

Photo courtesy of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

This 360-member chorus of men and women, all volunteers, has performed at World’s Fairs and expositions, at inaugurations of U.S. presidents, in acclaimed concert halls from Australia and Europe to Asia and the Middle East, on television broadcasts, and now on YouTube and Facebook. The choir has even been referred to as “America’s Choir,” as a result of their high standard of popular choral music.

With their incomparable voices and their shared faith in God, they are a significant presence in the world of music, giving service through song. The Tabernacle Choir is dedicated to the universal language of music that has the power to bring joy, peace, and healing to its listeners. This unique music organization transcends cultural and generational boundaries and brings together people from around the world through stirring music.

The Tabernacle Choir can’t reach everyone in person, but its weekly program, Music and the Spoken Word, can. Since 1929, nearly the lifetime of radio, The Tabernacle Choir has been a phenomenon of broadcasting, with the longest continuous broadcast on the air. Music and the Spoken Word has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame and has entered the hearts of listeners everywhere.

Known from its beginnings as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Choir changed its name in October 2018 to more closely align with its sponsoring organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Choir is now called “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.”

For more information, please visit thetabernaclechoir.org

Park City Tour

When: Sunday, June 16, 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Where: Meet in the lobby of the Salt Lake City Center Marriott Hotel no later than 10:45 AM to board a tour bus to Park City
Cost: $42 (attendees may want to bring extra money for lunch, souvenirs, and a tip for the tour guide.)

Join us for an 80-Mile adventure high into the Rocky Mountains to experience this Old West, historic silver mining town, now one of the top ski destinations in North America. See wonderful scenic mountain views, learn Old West history, visit 2002 Olympics venues, browse boutique store shops. Bus transportation with a tour guide is provided and included in the registration fee. Comfortable dress, likely including a jacket or a coat, and walking shoes are recommended.

Tour Information:

  • Travel through historic canyons and admire beautiful mountain scenery on your way up to 7,000 feet in elevation to Utah’s #1 resort town!
  • Hear amazing stories from the most successful Winter Olympics ever! See the 2002 Winter Olympic Village, the Olympic Stadium and the towering 72-foot-high Olympic Cauldron.
  • Explore the Olympic Winter Park, site of the 90 and 120-meter Nordic ski jumps and “the fastest bobsled track in the world”
  • Park City is home to three of the top ten ski resorts in North America, used for multiple Olympic events.
  • Hear the legends of Park City’s silver mining and of life in the Wild West; see where Robert Redford’s world-renowned Sundance Film Festival takes place – America’s largest independent film festival.
  • Stroll Historic Main Street – experience the Old West saloons and structures, popular boutiques for shopping, and fine dining at some of Utah’s best restaurants.

NAMC Opening Night Reception

When: Sunday, June 16, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Student Only Time: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Salt Lake City Center Marriott Hotel
Cost: Included in registration fee for attendees and guests

Meet and Greet for NAMC Attendees and Guests. Join us for an enjoyable evening after checking in for the conference at the NAMC/TMS Registration Desk. Appetizers and Beverages are provided as you mingle with your fellow attendees, presenters, and sponsors.

Monday Evening Casual Dinner and Social Gathering

When: Monday, June 17, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Gallivan Center adjacent to the hotel
Cost: Included in registration fee for attendees. Additional cost for guests.

Debating whether to come to our evening gathering or to go out instead with a select few friends? DO BOTH! The Conference Organizing Committee would like you have a great time at our informal Monday evening gathering. We are planning for you to stop by, get some light dinner, mingle with some old friends, use the opportunity to make new friends, BUT our intention is for you to go out and explore the city. We really want you to go see some of beautiful Salt Lake City and/or try some local establishments as well. We are planning on a tasty light barbeque dinner with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks as well as limited beer and wine. Because of difficulties with offering a bar, beer and wine will be limited to 2 tickets per attendee. A DJ will provide music for listening and (for those of you what are brave enough) dancing. Because we know many also want to see the city, we’ll have maps and short descriptions of places/things you may want to see either before or after stopping in at the gathering. The gathering will be held at the Gallivan Center adjacent to the hotel. We hope to see you there!

Reception and Awards Banquet

When: Tuesday, June 18, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Salt Lake City Center Marriott Hotel
Cost: Included in registration fee for attendees. Additional cost for guests.

Reception precedes the Awards banquet. This plated dinner will be followed by presentations of a number of awards including: Best NAMC papers, TMS Journal Outstanding Paper Awards, and 2018 Outstanding Thesis/Dissertation Awards.

Interstate Brick Manufacturing Plant Tour

When: Wednesday, June 19, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Meet other attendees in the Lobby of the Salt Lake City Center Marriott Hotel no later than 12:45 PM to board a tour bus.
Cost: $20

Join us on an interesting tour of one of the largest brick manufacturing plants in the world. Box lunches will be provided to attendees so they can eat on the bus ride to the plant. Interstate personnel will lead a tour through the manufacturing plant where attendees can see raw materials, blending, forming, cutting, stacking, firing, and warehousing operations for a wide range of clay masonry units. After the tour, the bus will return to the hotel. For more information on Interstate Brick, visit their website interstatebrick.com.