While an economic recovery in the US construction industry may still be several months away, there was a renewed sense of optimism on the trade show floor during The Precast Show 2011 in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 27-29. Trade show attendance topped 2,600 and both exhibitors and precast plant owners reported rising expectations for increased business during the second half of the year, according to Ty E. Gable, president of the National Precast Concrete Association. NPCA sponsored the trade show with the American Concrete Pipe Association.