The Insulating Concrete Forms Association held its Fall Meeting and Expo September 19 through 21, in Indianapolis. With approximately 40 exhibitors and more than 300 attendees, this was the largest attendance ever in ICFA's history. Four new board members and a new vice chairman were elected. Following are some highlights from the meeting.

Jim Dorr, ICFA chairman, reported that the industry has grown so rapidly that the association has had difficulty keeping pace. A technical services director will be hired by early 2006. There will also be a dues increase to help fund association growth and strategic planning. Due to tremendous growth in the ICF market, the NAHB has formed the Concrete Home Building Council within its organization. The ICFA will also implement a new designation-Concrete Home Building Specialist-that will be integrated to its members and through the Redi-Mix Aggregate Association.

The association's Executive Director Joe Lyman gave the market report. ICF's has grown from 7.5 million square feet in 1994 to more than 56 million square feet in 2005. This represents a 650 percent increase in the ICF market in a decade. Above-grade has grown from 46.6 percent in 2000 to 60 percent in 2005.

Although ICF growth has been mostly residential, the commercial market has grown from 19 percent in 2000 to 28 percent in 2005. The market is currently 28 percent commercial and 72 percent residential (multi-family housing is considered commercial), with 40 percent below grade and 60 percent above-grade.

Projections: Based on past trends, the ICF market will show a 15 percent increase over 2004, with the commercial market up 30 percent over 2004 and the residential market up 10 percent over 2004.

For additional information on the ICFA Fall Meeting/Expo, visit the association's Web site at www.forms.org.