Have you been to The Concrete Countertop Institute?

[Bill Rave]

Why Train with us?
* Solid information from an engineer:
Our instructor, Jeffrey Girard, P.E., is a licensed professional civil engineer who personally teaches all classes. He will teach you far more than just the basics of creating concrete countertops. He will educate you on how to utilize different materials and methods and why they work.

* We don't sell proprietary products:
The Concrete Countertop Institute does not push products. All classes teach inexpensive, versatile, high-performance from-scratch mix designs, and our textbooks include lists of all the equipment and materials you need and where to get them directly from the manufacturer. This means you get the best prices on the best materials and equipment, not overpriced proprietary products.

* Comprehensive, intensive information:
Our classes are extremely comprehensive, teaching you not just how to make concrete countertops but WHY to do it that way. You will completely understand mix designs, reinforcing, sealing, etc. so there is no more trial and error or experimenting. You will have total confidence in your countertops.

Not a beginner? What CCI offers experienced concrete countertop makers:

* Training: Even the most experienced person never stops learning.
o In-depth classes about topics important to take your business to the next level, such as sinks & molds, mix design, GFRC, sales & marketing and project management
o A fresh perspective on concrete countertop techniques and a better understanding of why, through our extremely intensive "beginner" classes

See What others have said...

http://www.concretecountertopinstitute.com/testimonials.php

[Robert Winckler]

I know what others have said but their posts just seem to get erased.

There is a lot of negitive energy regarding this school due to their strict censorship policy and it would be fine with me if they just advertised on their own forum.

They ban members from their forum for knowing too much.

I would prefer taking a class from Ralston, Gore, or the Cook's before I went anywhere near this school. These others still produce countertops professionally which I don't think can be said for our in gin ear friend.

Just one man's opinion of a collective vibe.

[Brian Krompack]

Shameless

[Alla Linetsky]

Bill, congratulations on your new job. You are quite understandably excited about your new role and the task of promoting your employer's offerings. However, this forum is probably not the place to do it, at least not on the discussions.

While this forum is not restricted in terms of who is allowed to be a member, members who are also vendors have abided by an unwritten code: they are available to answer questions, but otherwise do not actively promote their products except to announce something new. We all know who the vendors are and where to find them, and we value their contributions to our industry. This includes CCI and the education they have provided - I personally would not be in business without them.

That said, the self-promoting nature of your post in no way excuses the extremely rude responses you have received. Dave, thank you for deleting them and keeping the forum polite.

[Brian Krompack]

Alla could you point out the rudeness you have seen? I personally havnt seen any. I also would like to see this unwriten code. I see several advertisments for product and such, but you have to admit cci covers every event opening with every class they have. I dont know if they pay for that and if they do thats fine, At least we know where this forum is heading.
Myself, as a suplier of a product, would like to think I havent really abused this forum as a sales pitch place, nor will I ever its about the common good of sharing insight. Please enlighten me so that I may respond as a salesman like so many others on this forum have


Alla Linetsky said:

Bill, congratulations on your new job. You are quite understandably excited about your new role and the task of promoting your employer's offerings. However, this forum is probably not the place to do it, at least not on the discussions.

While this forum is not restricted in terms of who is allowed to be a member, members who are also vendors have abided by an unwritten code: they are available to answer questions, but otherwise do not actively promote their products except to announce something new. We all know who the vendors are and where to find them, and we value their contributions to our industry. This includes CCI and the education they have provided - I personally would not be in business without them.

That said, the self-promoting nature of your post in no way excuses the extremely rude responses you have received. Dave, thank you for deleting them and keeping the forum polite.

[Alla Linetsky]

Brian, this forum has effectively kept the self-promotion by vendors in check. Some vendors who first join this forum get a little excited and try pushing their product or service aggressively. Whatever response they receive from the membership, the self-promotion usually stops after the first post. After that, the vendors just answer questions about their product. This is true of you, Jim, Mark, Tom, Jon, Bob, Ryan, John, Shawn and yes, even Lane. Have I missed anyone? Do any of these vendors think that they would sell more product if they posted an advertorial every week?

As for deleted posts - sorry, I'm not going to go there.

[Robert Winckler]

I will go there. No post should be deleted no matter how offensive. Sticks and stones will break my bone but words will never hurt me.

It is all in the name of free speech. It is these here and there deletions that turn into censorship. Too what end.
No individual should feel that empowered to draw "the" line in the sand.

The only good censorship is NO censorship.

If people want to pump their wares go right ahead. Just don't be too surprised if people voice their opinions.

[Alla Linetsky]

There is a need to balance free speech and respect. I don't like censorship either - this is why I no longer post on forums where ideas get squashed - but when free speech becomes a simple insult, I can't fault Dave for putting a lid on it. Same goes for political discussions. I can post for miles about politics, but I agree with Dave that this is not the forum for it.

[Brian Krompack]

Dont you have a queen in canada? Your political voice in the USA is mute. If you wont post in other forums out of fear then pull out and dont lurk. The idea of your ideas getting squashed is bad it could be for several reasons that I wont mention here but you should take it up with some others. How much money do you make off of cci a year as in the same as ccic and other speaking seminars that you do for cci?

you could find all the answers for the worlds problems by clicking on my link to Da'Shaft !!!!!!!!!!! Talk about shameless, that crap makes me want to vomit out my nose, there is no need to say you are the Savior unless you are

[Robert Winckler]

Censorship diverts the river of our collective thoughts.

[Robert Winckler]

Respect is the hug we give ourselves at night from the self confidence we lack. I will take NO censorship eight days a week.

[Bruce Davenport]

Wow, how crazy is this? Concrete, free speech and the queen all in one post. The guy from cci has only made one post/sales pitch.

[Alla Linetsky]

Brian, I started writing a response to you and gave up. You are so blinded by hate and disgust, there is no reasoning with you. Relax, cool off, and find it in you to articulate your thoughts without offense. I won't engage in a shouting match.

Robert, the cliches you've posted are nice, but there is a reason why Rules of Order exist for any group of people who gather to share ideas: elected governments, boards of directors, professional association councils, etc. Nothing censors more than personal insults - they destroy any hope for constructive discussion and exchange of ideas.