New Orleans is the site for decorative concrete exposition. - Press - News

The Concrete Countertop Institute participated in the Decorative Concrete Councils exposition in New Orleans this month. The exposition included educational seminars, demonstrations, and a community project in which concrete contractors, landscapers and city officials gave their time and resources to renovate a neighborhood park near the New Orleans Convention Center.

The renovation of the park at the corner of Tchoupitoulas and Religious streets included the planting of palm trees, crepe myrtles and rose bushes and the installation of decorative concrete walkways and borders. James Orgeron of Concrete Nouveau, a Concrete Countertop Institute alumnus and local decorative concrete contractor, donated and installed the curbing for the park. Orgeron and other participants were honored at a dedication ceremony on March 18. Orgeron also coordinated the concrete countertop demonstration portion of the exposition, held at Construction Materials in Jefferson on March 17 and 18. Orgeron and Jeff Girard, P.E., President of The Concrete Countertop Institute, created a precast concrete countertop in bright yellow and green, and a cast in place concrete countertop dyed purple. Girard and Orgeron chose the Mardi Gras colors of the countertops to show the versatility of concrete. "James Orgeron showed the generosity and spirit of New Orleaneans in rebuilding their community, said Girard. The Concrete Countertop Institute is honored to have had the opportunity to participate in even a small way. I hope that as New Orleans rebuilds, that the craftsmanship of decorative concrete contractors like James plays an important role.