Blue-collar concrete show takes over for computer geeks at Las Vegas center.

Publication: Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Las Vegas Review-Journal

Byline: Chris Jones

Jan. 19--Sporting a world-class mullet, countless tattoos and a lunchtime bottle of Budweiser, Erick Rendon's mere presence at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Tuesday seemed to scream, "The gadget geeks have left the building."

Less than two weeks after the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show shut down, this city's convention industry has donned its best blue collar to welcome this week's return of the World of Concrete trade show. Dark blue dress suits and ultra-high-tech cell phones were out, their places taken by denim blue jeans, work boots and the occasional hard hat.

"There's a lot of cool equipment," Rendon, a burly concrete worker from Denver, said as he wandered from exhibit to exhibit. "Every year, there's always something new."

Also new in 2005: a revived...

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