It may have glass in its name, but make no mistake that GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo is the biggest event in North America for anyone in the business of residential fenestration. Walking the floor is like a live who’s who for our industry. Companies in the top echelon of our annual Top Manufacturers Report are all regular attendees. Why?
There’s a lot to look forward to—GlassBuild 2022 highlights what we’ve been planning for this year’s GlassBuild Oct. 18-20 in Las Vegas. Here are some of the plans I am excited to see come to fruition.
What: Women in Glass + Fenestration
When: Wednesday, 10 a.m., Main Stage
How can we encourage more women to join our trades and support those already working within them? This is a huge piece of the diversity, equity and inclusion conversations happening in different pockets of the industry. The Women in Glass + Fenestration Event, being held for the first time at GlassBuild America 2022 in Las Vegas, will bring women together to discuss strategies for encouraging the next generation of women to join our industry.
All are encouraged to partake in this presentation and discussion on how to raise awareness about careers in our industry. Opening the conversation are Deb Callahan, National Fenestration Rating Council; Barbara Kotsos, Giroux Glass; and Alicia Hamilton, National Glass Association. I should also mention: in addition to great discourse and networking, there will be snacks.
What: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
When: Wednesday, 11:15 a.m., Main Stage
In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries, averaging four times higher than the general population.
Presented by John Hewitt, “We Mind and Kelly Matters;” Steve Dillon, VEKA North America; Dustin Anderson, The Alone Effect; and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this timely and poignant session puts mental health advocates in the glass and fenestration industry on the stage to talk about their efforts to raise awareness, increase suicide prevention and change the stigma surrounding mental illness.
What: Familiar Faces sans computer screens
When: Tuesday through Thursday, Las Vegas
“GlassBuild is a lot like a family reunion for us. No, not the kind you dread and think of every excuse to avoid. But the reunion you look forward to so much that you count down the days until you’re there,” writes Samantha Hudeck, FeneTech, a 2020 Company, in her Inside Perspectives blog on GlassBuildAmerica.com.
I’m with you, Samantha. I look forward to conversation, laughs, mingling along The Strip at various events hosted by exhibitors after the show, meeting with industry friends and making new ones. Find me in the Industry Pavilion, booth 1172, along with most of the staff of Window + Door, GlassBuild, the National Glass Association, and sister publication Glass Magazine. Our friends from the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance will also be hosting in the Industry Pavilion for the duration of the show.
Can’t wait to see you there.
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