An associate member benefit
Associate Tours
Once a quarter, an associate member shows off its business to a small group of producer members. Walk the plant, the offices, the yard and the assembly floor, and meet the people who make what you buy. Producers only.
- How oftenOnce a quarter
- Who comesProducer members only
- Group sizeSmall, 10 to 20 guests
- Cost to associatesIncluded in membership
What a tour looks like
Tours are small on purpose: about 10 to 20 guests, all from producer members, and about two and a half hours. Everyone gets time with the host’s people. The shape is the same each time so hosts know what to prepare.
- 11:30 Registration and lunch
Sign in, eat, and meet the room before anything starts. The host provides lunch. - 12:00 Welcome and presentation
A short talk from the host on what they make and how it is used in precast. - 12:45 Walk the site
Groups of 6 to 8 with the host’s people: the plant floor, the yard, assembly, testing, the offices. - 2:00 Wrap
The formal program ends. Guests can stay as long as the host allows to keep looking and talking.
What guests see
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The plant and the line
How the product is made, step by step, with the machines running.
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The yard and shipping
Stock, staging, loading and the trucks that get it to a precast plant.
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Assembly and testing
Fabrication, quality checks and the tests behind the data sheets.
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The offices and the people
Sales, engineering and customer service. Guests learn who to call and why.
For associate members
Host a tour
Every associate can host, whether the site is down the road or across the country. Local sites are the easiest to reach, and we plan the rest with you.
- A small room of producer plant managers, purchasing staff and engineers who came to see your operation.
- A small guest list of producer member companies only. You review it before the tour and can decline any name.
- Photos and a short write-up for the PCI IW news page and social channels.
- Your company named on this page and on every invitation for the tour.
The 2027 tours
- 1 Spring 2027
Host to be announced - 2 Summer 2027
Host to be announced - 3 Fall 2027
Host to be announced - 4 Winter 2027 to 2028
Host to be announced
Dates are set with each host and posted on the events page once confirmed. Premier Associates get first choice of dates.
Premier Associates of PCI of Illinois & Wisconsin
First choice of dates
Premier Associate
Your company here
Premier Associates choose their tour date first, lead every Supplier Showcase edition, and get editing included.
Not a member yet?
Put your operation in front of the producers who buy from you
Associate membership is $1,000 a year. It includes a listing in the member directory, the invitation list for every chapter event, member pricing, a Supplier Showcase video, and the chance to host an Associate Tour.
Associate Tours questions
What does it cost to host?
There is no fee to host. The host provides the site, a short presentation, guides for the walk, and lunch. PCI IW handles the invitation, registration, the head count and the follow up.
What does it cost to attend?
Attending is free. Guests register ahead so the host has a lunch count and can plan group sizes.
Who goes on a tour?
PCI IW producer members only: plant managers, purchasing staff, engineers and other staff. Guests register with a company email, the host reviews the list before the tour, and the host can decline any name. Each tour is small, about 10 to 20 guests, so everyone gets time with the host’s people.
Can other associates attend?
No. Associate Tours are a way for associates to show their business to producers. Other associates are not on the guest list.
My location is far from Illinois and Wisconsin. Can we still host?
Yes. We work out what fits. Options include a group trip from a central meeting point, pairing the visit with another chapter trip, or a live video tour of the site when travel is not practical. Tell us where you are and we will suggest a plan.
What if parts of our operation are confidential?
The host decides which areas guests see and where photos are allowed. Guests wear the host’s required safety gear, follow site rules and sign a short waiver at check in. Every PCI IW event is run in accordance with PCI’s antitrust policy and code of conduct.
How is the host chosen each quarter?
Volunteers first. With about four tours a year, not every associate hosts every year. We choose hosts to spread tours across product categories and locations, and once chosen, Premier Associates pick their date first.
My company is not a member. Can we host?
No. Associate Tours are a member benefit. Associate membership is $1,000 a year. The membership page has a short form that starts the process.