Pipe School 2025 Marks Record Engagement and Global Participation
70+ classes, a streaming forum, and a dynamic keynote highlighted this year's event
Irving, TX – March 2025 – The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) proudly wrapped another expectation-exceeding Pipe School in 2025, held this year in Columbus, Ohio. With over 70 in-depth classes and workshops covering production, quality, engineering, marketing, and transportation, the 2025 Pipe School (PS25) cemented its position as the concrete pipe industry’s premier educational event.
This year’s event welcomed attendees from across the country and the globe, including participants from Germany and Australia, highlighting the growing international interest in the industry’s long-standing event. Shelley Row, P.E., CSP, opened the week as the keynote speaker with a powerful presentation on decision-making for technical leaders, helping to set the tone for an engaging and energizing week.
“Each year, Pipe School continues to grow—not only in the number of opportunities and quality of the education—but in reach, scope, and industry influence,” said Aimee Connerton, Chair of ACPA’s Education Committee. “What began as a member-focused event has now evolved into a platform that draws in professionals from around the world, expanding the conversation and raising the bar for our entire industry.”
One of this year’s standout features was the opportunity for transportation professionals to virtually attend the classes in the event’s transportation forum. This enabled DOTs, municipalities, and transportation agencies from across the U.S. to remotely participate in the school’s transportation forum. Attendees could interact live with speakers, submit questions, and engage with the content in real-time—making the school accessible to more industry stakeholders who may not be able to attend in person.
PS25 also played host to the industry’s signature trade show, the Pipe Show, which ran for three consecutive nights. The expo brought together manufacturers, vendors, and service providers from around the world, giving attendees hands-on exposure to new products, tools, and technologies. The event concluded with a fun and memorable casino night, offering a unique opportunity for networking and celebration.
Following the live event in Columbus, the ACPA offered the Pipe School Encore, a virtual experience held March 4–6. This special encore presentation featured 15 of the most-requested sessions from PS25, giving in-person attendees a chance to catch sessions they missed and offering virtual-only participants a taste of the Pipe School experience.
“Pipe School is so much more than just sitting in a lecture,” said Dena Silva, the ACPA’s Director of Education. “It’s an experience. It’s a chance to connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, engage in meaningful discussions, and even present your own innovations. Whether you’re on-site or tuning in virtually, Pipe School brings the entire industry together in a way that no other event does.”
Pipe School is the ACPA’s annual educational event where members, DOTs, consulting engineers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders come together to learn, network, and advance the industry. With its expanding curriculum, increasing international interest, and hybrid format, Pipe School continues to set the standard for professional development and collaboration in the concrete pipe industry.
The 2026 Pipe School will be held February 9th - 12th and will take place in Kansas City, MO, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Registration for the event, along with the schedule and keynote speaker, is expected to open in September of this year.
Learn more about Pipe School at pipeschool.org.
About the American Concrete Pipe Association
The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) is the spokesperson for the concrete pipe industry in all matters affecting the industry’s welfare. ACPA members contribute to the improvement of our environment by producing quality concrete pipe, engineered to provide a lasting and economical solution to drainage and pollution problems. For more information, visit www.concretepipe.org.