METALCON 2009 Focuses On Sustainable, Green Construction To Meet The Needs Of The Future
By Claire Kilcoyne, METALCON Show Manager
METALCON International 2009 is just a month away and this year’s event promises to continue the tradition of being the premier worldwide showcase for metal construction products. If you haven’t registered yet to attend the all-industry conference and exposition, there’s still plenty of time to make plans to be in Tampa, Florida, October 6-8, where you can see the latest innovations in products and services—including solar collecting technology and sustainable, green building solutions.
We’re excited to be back in Tampa, one of the most vibrant locations for past METALCONs, situated in the heart of the Southeast. This region is immersed in metal construction as illustrated by the beautiful metal roofing, wall and building projects located throughout this area of the U.S. The new aluminum-clad Tampa Museum of Art, scheduled to open in early 2010, is an outstanding example.
There’s no doubt that this past year has been a challenge for all of us involved in design and construction. While the economy has shown recent signs of positive activity, we recognize that the marketplace is changing and that there will be increasing demand for sustainable, green construction products that blend quality, aesthetics and value. We’re happy to showcase many of these products at METALCON International 2009 in the Tampa Convention Center.
Solar Bay
Now in our 19th year, we continue to add new features to METALCON to reflect the changes taking place in the marketplace. With that in mind, we are proud to announce the introduction of Solar Bay at METALCON 2009.
Solar Bay allows us to shine a spotlight on the growing interest in solar collecting techniques that will play a key role in the future of energy throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Attendees will find full scale displays of the latest techniques in thin-film and solar collector panel systems, assembled by a variety of experts who’ll be available during exhibit hours to address all of your questions, as well as daily educational sessions that cover the benefits of each system and Federal, State and Local solar energy funding incentives. The 3,500 sq. ft. Solar Bay area by itself will make your trip to the Tampa Convention Center worthwhile, but that’s just the start.
Keynote Speaker Bob Berkebile
Keynote speaker Bob Berkebile, FAIA, a founding principal of Kansas City, MO-based BNIM Architects, has a powerful message to deliver in his presentation titled “Creating A New Sustainable Economy”. Slated for 10:15 a.m. on the opening day of the show, Tuesday, October 6, Bob will present attendees with a new way of looking at their role in the future of design and construction.
We’re honored to have Bob with us at METALCON. He brings a very enlightening, global perspective to what’s happening financially and environmentally. He’s a wonderful presenter with a positive message that will leave all of us asking “what can I do to make things better?”
Seminars And Special Programs
METALCON attendees can select from a vast menu of 38 seminars and special programs. Aside from the keynote address, most seminars and special programs qualify for continuing education credits, with many meeting Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) criteria.
The number of green building topics will double this year to serve the growing interest in metal’s key role in improving energy-efficiency in the building envelope. Likewise, the popular business management program, which received record attendance in 2008, will offer additional topics in Tampa.
In addition, the 2009 conference features an expanded program about metal roofing and wall applications, retrofit roofing, metal interiors and effective rainscreen techniques. Codes, insulation, fasteners, steel framing and onsite and factory fabrication are the focus of several Special Programs, which are offered by various industry groups. For details on all the seminars and special programs, click here.
Vast Range Of Exhibits
In addition to the popular seminars, the exhibit hall is one of the main reasons that METALCON has drawn more than 7,000 attendees from over 50 countries each year. In Tampa, we’ll have three days of exhibits—Tuesday, October 6th through Thursday, October 8th.
Attendees can meet face-to-face with representatives from over 250 companies who supply virtually every product in the industry. This includes metal roof systems, metal wall panel systems, metal building systems, manufacturing equipment, light gauge framing, retrofit systems, self-storage systems, snow guards, fasteners, roof curbs, vents, computer software, insulation systems, metal cutting & hand tools, rainware, metal substrate material, and a wide range of other accessories and related products and services.
Passes to the exhibit hall, which normally cost $60, are available this year for free! Click here to register.
Demos, Green Island & New Product Harbor
Also in the exhibit hall, there are many other features that all attendees should be sure to check out.
The MCA Demo Area coordinated by the Metal Construction Association—the official sponsor of METALCON—addresses new and retrofit metal roofing, metal walls and related design and installation topics. These popular hands-on demos are scheduled on each day of the show.
The action continues on Thursday with Tool Day where contractors can literally get a grip on the latest in high quality power tools for metal construction. In addition to testing tools, visitors at this year’s Tool Day can see demonstrations of the latest fall protection devices specifically designed for the metal construction industry. At the end of the day, tools used in these demos will be raffled off to a few lucky winners.
With sustainability and energy efficiency requirements becoming more rigorous than ever before, visit Green Island and find companies that help prepare your projects for full integration of sustainable products and technologies unique to the metal construction industry.
A study conducted by Maya Design, Inc., a "human-centered" design consultancy, reveals what attendees really want from a tradeshow. The bottom line regardless of show type - attendees want a consolidated area on the show floor to find innovative, new products. METALCON delivers with New Product Harbor a table-top area featuring new product introductions.
The New Product Harbor is anchored by DesignandBuildwithMetal.com, who is also producing METALCON e-dailys to document the events of the show in an electronic format. Cyber-stations are part of the New Product Harbor, to allow attendees to stay in touch with email during exhibit hall hours. Also, DesignandBuildwithMetal.com is giving away 6 Kodak HD Camcorders—with two drawings daily during exhibit hours—that can be used to document activities during METALCON and to track project work on jobsites afterward.
Please Join Us In Tampa
We know that this past year has been challenging for everyone, especially in the construction industry. We’ve kept this in mind while shaping METALCON 2009, to make certain it will offer you a tremendous value for you and your business. Be sure to register by September 22 and you can sign up for 4 seminars for the price of 3. Please visit us at www.metalcon.com for the complete line up of conference sessions, list of exhibitors and travel information. You can also register online—it only takes a few minutes.
We look forward to seeing you at METALCON International 2009, October 6-8, in Tampa!
Claire Kilcoyne, is Vice President, Trade Shows for PSMJ Resources Inc., producers of the annual METALCON International Conference & Exposition, sponsored by the Metal Construction Association. As METALCON's Show Manager and Conference Director, Claire has been instrumental in shaping METALCON into the premier global event for metal construction products since its inception in 1991. To contact Claire, call (617) 965-0055, ext. 134 or email to ckilcoyne@psmj.com.