ICF Builder Magazine Continues To Move North America Towards ICF Construction

Recently I attended my 20th ICF Builder Awards, the brainchild of ICF Builder Magazine publisher and owner Mr. Craig Shorts and sadly deceased partner Clark Ricks, in Las Vegas at World of Concrete in January.

As I looked around at the packed room of ICF contractors, manufacturers, clients, architects, and many impressive supportive repeat sponsors, I was humbled by how much our ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) industry has grown over my almost 30 years in
the industry.

Twenty-four years ago, I was asked by Amvic (now Alleguard) founder, Dr. Victor Amend, to introduce his ICF products to the U.S. market at World of Concrete, just four years before ICF Builder Magazine was launched. Those early years were very, very busy as me and other form representatives introduced this great construction methodology to the North American marketplace.
While traversing the United States, my peers and I spent a great deal of time educating contractors, conducting Lunch and Learns with professional communities, and doing too many regional trade shows to remember. Without exception, at every event I participated in, I heard comments from the general population such as, “Why isn’t everyone building this way?” or, “This is the construction methodology of the future.” My passion for the industry was beyond doubt as I began my journey by first building my own ICF home and experiencing firsthand the unparalleled comfort and energy efficiency these walls provide.

But sadly, our journey has been fraught with roadblocks.
A very wise person told me years ago that there is no such thing as a new market as you are just stealing market share from someone else, i.e. predominantly the wood industry, with their well-funded lobbyists!

So as I sat with our nominated customers at the most recent ICF Builder Awards, eating delicious food combined with a free beverage and looking around the room, it dawned on me that the one constant in raising the ICF public awareness bar over all these years has been the ICF Builder Awards ceremony!
When you ask a builder, developer, architect, or owner to step outside their comfort zones and design and build with ICFs and have their project judged and found worthy of an award by the industry, the results are downright emotional for all! I have had many customers over the years tear up and be humbled by this event, none of which would have been possible without ICF Builder Magazine ie Mr. Craig Shorts and editor Vanessa Salvia and their valiant efforts turning traditional construction methodologies towards resilient, green, energy-efficient, safe harbors.

I truly believe that as severe weather continues to ravage the country and traditional residential and commercial methodologies are abandoned by the insurance industry, great ICF paths lie ahead!

My only regret while attending my last but memorable awards ceremony was not encouraging a standing ovation for Mr. Craig Shorts when he took the stage!

I sincerely wish that at next year’s 2026 ICF Builder Award ceremony, attendees correct my mistake and acknowledge the tremendous effort ICF Builder Magazine and their sponsors have contributed to our industry over all these years!

Work safely and thanks kindly,
Paul Camozzi