In response to the increasing demand for concrete countertop education developed by world-renowned author and designer Fu-Tung Cheng, the Cheng Concrete Training Academy is pleased to announce its upcoming nationwide expansion. The Academy will soon boast a facility located in Atlanta, Georgia and will be known as the Cheng Center of Excellence - Atlanta.
This new, East Coast training facility will offer the curriculum developed and made famous by Fu-Tung Cheng and his team of professionals. First offering the Essentials Workshop, a one-day seminar imparting the basics of concrete countertop design and education, the Cheng Center of Excellence - Atlanta will be headed by Cheng-certified artisan David Akers.
Akers, a long-time concrete craftsman, designer and successful business-owner, was trained and handpicked by Fu-Tung himself to lead the first national training facility bearing the Cheng Concrete name.
The Cheng Center of Excellence - Atlanta is the first of many Cheng training facilities that will open across the U.S. over the course of the next year. Akers was selected to lead the first center because of his skill, extreme concrete mastery and his deep understanding of the medium. Furthermore, his commitment to good design and his immaculate business principles sealed the deal. He and the Cheng team of concrete professionals will conduct the introductory Essentials Workshop in Atlanta on January 5, 2008.
The Story Behind David Akers
David Akers is a Cheng-certified Designer and Fabricator of custom concrete products. The son of a carpenter and lifetime craftsman, Akers began his career working as a designer and builder of high-end cabinets. His experience with custom concrete dates back to 1972, when he designed and fabricated his first concrete countertop. He continued working with the material while spending many years in bridge design, engineering, and construction.
Thanks to innate design capabilities, precise fabrication skills and a vast knowledge of concrete, Amelia Concrete Fusion was born. This firm, which provides design, fabrication, and installation of custom concrete products for residential and commercial use, will serve as the southeastern headquarters for the first-ever Cheng Center of Excellence.
"I have complete faith in David's ability to carry-on the Cheng aesthetic to this new and growing audience," said Fu-Tung Cheng. "David's skill is apparent, and as one of the few Cheng-certified artisans, his involvement ensures the quality long-associated with Cheng Concrete and the Academy. I am both proud and excited to be working with David on this venture."
The Basics On The Essentials
Cheng originally began teaching classes to address the ever-growing concrete countertop market. The expansion to Atlanta was developed to address this demand, as the market is growing at a particularly rapid pace in the Southeast, second only to the California market, which is regarded as the birthplace of the concrete countertop industry.
The Southeastern facility will cater to budding concrete craftspeople in the Carolinas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. Atlanta is geographically positioned as a southern hub and is easily accessible to all areas within this region.
Throughout the course, students --- who will include professionals and do-it-yourselfers from across the Southeast or the entire nation --- will be educated in the fundamentals of designing and creating countertops. Furthermore, detailed education in the Cheng design philosophy will be emphasized, along with craftsmanship and construction techniques. The Workshop is truly everything you need to get started in concrete.
The seminar will also include design tips and techniques specially developed by Cheng and how he grew his world-renowned concrete business into an empire. "The concrete countertop industry is thriving. It has huge potential, both professionally, but also within the DIY market, where creating concrete countertops is a huge trend," said Mike Heidebrink, Director of Training and Product Development at Cheng Concrete. "There is no question the Essentials Workshop will provide any attendee the tools necessary to get started in the concrete industry. The information offered in the Essentials Workshop is second-to-none."
More Than Just Concrete - 101
All Cheng Concrete Training Academy classes, seminars and instructional products represent the best in concrete education. By attending any of the Academy classes (Essentials Workshop, Advanced Training Seminar, and Fabricator Training) individuals can start becoming fully schooled in the Cheng design aesthetic. By learning these concepts, attendees will obtain skills which can then be incorporated into their own projects or small-business practices. Fu-Tung's mantra that education is a fundamental pillar of success at any level is evident in this complete series of classes.
The Essentials Workshop will be offered for the first time at the Cheng Center of Excellence - Atlanta on January 5, 2008. Enrollment is now open and these coveted, initial seats are quickly filling. For additional information on this program, scheduling, other Essentials Workshop locations, Advanced Training Seminars, or to become a Concrete Exchange Member, please visit www.concreteexchange.com or contact John Geluso at (510) 849-3272 ext. 217, or jgeluso @ chengdesign.com.
About Cheng Concrete
Cheng Concrete is the premier source for concrete success. Created as a division of Cheng Design Products in 2003, the present-day version of Cheng Concrete, LLC is the leading, concrete products source for the design and creation of concrete countertops.
Cheng Pro-Formula Mix, a groundbreaking product that eliminates the guesswork in concrete countertop creation, anchors the Cheng product portfolio. Created in conjunction with the Canadian-based company Interstar, a leader in the development of pigments, admixtures and fibers, the line is further enhanced by Cheng Pro-Formula Acrylic Slurry, Sealer, Wax and a complete line of concrete accessories. For detailed product information, please visit: www.concreteexchange.com/catalog.
The Cheng Concrete Training Academy is hailed as the go-to source for concrete countertop education. Founded by Fu-Tung Cheng as a place for all to learn and profess the merits of good design, the Academy is headquartered in Berkeley, CA and boasts a full-curriculum of hands-on, uniquely crafted educational classes.
For more information about Cheng Concrete, the Training Academy and Fu-Tung Cheng, please visit: www.concreteexchange.com.
For editorial information regarding Cheng Concrete or Cheng Concrete Training Academy, please contact Casi Morris at 510.849.3272, ext. 205 or cmorris @ chengdesign.com.