Concrete & Steel Construction celebrates 50th edition in style: building connections

On Thursday, May 8, 2025 Beton & Staalbouw celebrated its 50th edition with an inspiring anniversary event at the Laurabos estate in Weert. It became an afternoon full of content, meeting and relaxation, in the company of C&D professionals, some delegates of Louwers Media Group, a number of business partners and other stakeholders. An anniversary that not only looked back at the past, but above all looked forward to the future of the sector and the platform.

An industry in flux, a trade journal as constant

For fifty editions, Concrete & Steel Construction has brought inspiring projects, in-depth interviews and relevant trends from the concrete and steel construction industry. Project manager Mark de Lau kicked off the event with a personal retrospective on the history of the magazine's inception. What once began as a niche publication has grown into a valued platform for designers, contractors, suppliers, engineers and policy makers. "Our ambition extends beyond just publishing a magazine," it sounded. "We want to be a network. A place where knowledge is shared, where insights circulate and where new connections emerge." So the 50th edition is not an endpoint, but a symbolic milestone in a larger story.

Inspiration under the sun

The presentation of the anniversary edition was followed by a look ahead: where are the challenges and opportunities for the sector? Topics such as digitization, circular construction, collaboration and integral approach to complex projects were discussed. No dry presentations, but open conversations and reflections between colleagues, in an informal setting.

The content section transitioned seamlessly into a sporting break: an exclusive golf clinic on the green grounds of Laurabos. Participants were taught to putt, chip and full-swing - and some discovered surprisingly hidden talents. More than competition, it was about togetherness, relaxation and making new connections outside the formal work context.

Award with meaning

A lighthearted but memorable moment was the presentation of the Concrete & Steel Construction Jubilee Event Award. This was awarded not on the basis of concrete knowledge or steel experience, but on the enthusiasm and learning ability demonstrated by the participants during the golf clinic. The award, chosen by the golf instructors, emphasized the light-hearted nature of the event - but also the power of openness, commitment and cooperation.

A network that continues to grow

The day ended with an atmospheric dinner among friends and colleagues. There was networking, discussion, plans forged and forward thinking. Beton & Staalbouw may be fifty editions old, but the magazine remains young at heart. Louwers Media Group is seizing this moment to further strengthen its ties with the sector, to give young voices a voice and to develop new formats in which print, online, video and events reinforce each other. Because: you build together. And that applies just as much to content, knowledge and community.