I haven’t looked forward to October 31 this much since I was a kid and waiting for school to be over so I could run home, put on the golden retriever costume I favored for four years, have my mom paint on whiskers and a black nose, and collect as many Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as I could in one evening. Although I still use October 31 as an excuse to indulge in a peanut butter cup (or pumpkin, if I’m really lucky), this year, that date has extra import: the 20th annual GlassBuild America kicks off in Atlanta.
Stepping onto a tradeshow floor on the first day is always a thrill. Energy is high as the industry convenes to network, do business, share solutions and have some fun while we’re at it. At a tradeshow like GlassBuild America, there’s always something new to see and education opportunities abound. No matter what aspect of your business you’re looking to improve, GlassBuild America will have a solution.
I’m especially looking forward to the Main Stage presentation by Chris Beard with John Burns Research and Consulting, where Beard will present the results from the inaugural Window & Door Market Study, which we partnered on this year. Didn’t get a chance to contribute? This will be a quarterly study and one we hope you’ll participate in moving forward. The economic forecast by Connor Lokar of ITR Economics is a must-attend event as he details what we can expect from the construction market in future years. And those are just two sessions out of the three days of programming on deck. Visit GlassBuildAmerica.com to stay updated on the full education offerings.
More than 450 exhibitors will display their products and services across 180,000 square feet. View the full product showcase at GlassBuildAmerica.com.
Beyond the programming and exhibitors, however, lies perhaps the best value of an event like GlassBuild America that can’t be quantified: the community, the networking, and the peer support and collaboration. These events create an environment to get to know one another, deepen existing relationships and form new ones. We are a people business, and there is no better place to engage with people than at GlassBuild America.
Coinciding with GlassBuild’s 20th anniversary is the National Glass Association’s 75th anniversary. Katy Devlin, editor-in-chief for Glass Magazine, writes: “Over the years, the NGA has continued to shift its mission to meet the changing needs of the industry. Today, the association is dedicated to elevating the image of glass as a safe, healthy, sustainable and inspiring building product while also advancing the industry as a viable, thriving and exciting career path. Its four strategic goals: educate, promote, advocate and workforce development.
“To meet the industry’s evolving demands, the NGA has stepped up its education and advocacy activities, particularly in recent years. The association launched Glass and Glazing Advocacy Days in 2022, a two-day annual event that brings NGA and industry leaders to Capitol Hill to meet with congressional members and government agency officials. The NGA was a pivotal voice in the United Nation’s 2022 International Year of Glass, a year-long celebration of glass’ essential role in society, culminating in a program at UN headquarters in New York City. And the association has continued to develop technical materials and resources to educate the industry on best practices in glass and fenestration.” Read more about the anniversary at GlassMagazine.com.
