Speakers to Focus on Sustainability, Trends, Testing at FGIA Fall Conference

Presentations during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance 2024 Fall Conference will center around a range of topics, including efficient field testing, architectural color trends, the purpose of Environmental Product Declarations, corrosion resistance and more. Join FGIA September 16-19 for either the in-person conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or online via the virtual experience.

“This conference answers the request from our members to deliver a wealth of impactful technical content," says Florica Vlad, FGIA events manager. “We will cover deep insights into cutting-edge construction testing, advanced technology, environmental products, safety and much more. Register now to hear the latest.”

What to expect at the conference

A session led by Christopher Grey, principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, will address how to use mockups and field testing efficiently. Participants will learn best practices for specification and implantation of mockups, understand the laboratory test methods used frequently on exterior wall mockups, discover strategies for efficient use of field-testing techniques and on-building mockups, and gain insights learned from past projects.

Kiki Redhead, the driver of all color, material, finish and trend initiatives for Sherwin-Williams Industrial and Performance Coatings, will present an exploration of trends emerging and evolving in the building products market over the next three to five years. 

Richard Braunstein, corporate consultant for Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, will teach participants the purpose of Environmental Product Declarations, or EPDs, and their importance in sustainability and environmental management.

Another session will guide manufacturers on how they should leverage their Life Cycle Assessments to drive innovation and meet market demands. Two panelists from Sustainability Solutions Corp., Nicole Meyer and Marquis Miller, will provide an overview of the interconnectedness between LCA and greenhouse gas inventory reporting (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions). SSC will educate manufacturers on how to communicate and market the results of their LCA externally, and use the data as a tool for their broader environmental stewardship program. The session will provide an overview of sustainable product design principles and methods.

Dr. Victoria Gelling, senior research fellow at Sherwin-Williams, will lead an introduction to corrosion, focusing on its common forms as well as the mechanism of corrosion. An additional focus will be on the various corrosion standards and test methods that are used within the industry along with a discussion on the correlation between those methods within the field.

Sponsored by the FGIA Fenestration Safety Committee, a panel discussion will cover key attributes of safety-focused commercial fenestration and glazing products. Panelists will discuss the related standards, applications and trends of the following products:

• Ballistics with Matt Manning, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
• Blast resistance with Lothar Erkens, Winco Window
• Alex Fernandez, senior director of advocacy for the Polymeric Exterior Products Association—formerly the Vinyl Siding Institute—will share updates from his organization, a trade association focused on furthering the development and growth of the vinyl and polymeric siding industry.
• School security with Vaughn Schauss, Kuraray