ARE YOU READY FOR SOME METAL!!!!
By Scott Kriner, MCA Technical Director
The metal construction industry’s Super Bowl event is here. Now through October 22, in the Las Vegas Convention Center, METALCON is holding its 20th anniversary celebration of the metal industry’s premier conference and trade expo. Like the NFL’s Super Bowl, METALCON is complete with fanfare, promotion, a variety of sponsors, an international audience, learning experiences, entertainment, parties and yes, even new ads! It’s the annual culmination of a long commercial season for manufacturers and suppliers battling the competition in the building construction marketplace.
This year’s keynote speaker, Alberto Gonzalez, former US Attorney General, wins the coin toss to start off METALCON with a speech on “The American Dream: Reach It, Build It, Share it.” After the pep talk from Atty. Gonzalez, the fanfare begins with the official ribbon cutting ceremony, the speeches, the photo opportunities and the opening of the show. Thousands will fill the stadium-like exposition hall to be exposed to anything and everything related to the metal construction industry. Over 800 exhibits will be promoting the latest products, equipment, systems or techniques related to metal construction. The educational portion of the event includes 33 informative seminars covering technical, commercial, and regulatory subjects.
The show floor will be buzzing with excited attendees experiencing live product demonstrations and networking with the best of the best in the metal construction industry.
There is no comparison to METALCON. It is the only tradeshow in the world that focuses on metal in residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, institutional, industrial, retail, self storage and ornamental construction. Attendees from over 50 countries routinely travel to the U.S. to participate in this annual event.
The show is sponsored by the Metal Construction Association and is produced by PSMJ Resources, Inc. It is supported by 60 participating associations representing all industry types.
Anyone who has been to METALCON in the past knows that it is THE PLACE to be for learning about new metal building construction materials, green products, energy efficient systems and sustainable designs. Building on the success of last year’s Solar Bay, METALCON 2010 will once again showcase new solar technologies integrated into metal roof and wall systems. Metal is the ideal platform for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems due to the documented longevity of a metal substrate. When considering a building-integrated photovoltaic system, for example, the complete metal roof system treated as an asset is more cost effective than PV on conventional roofing materials.
This year’s Solar Bay will feature continuous demonstrations and displays of many new products, systems and technologies related to the solar and renewable energy generation in concert with metal roof and wall panels. Other live demonstrations will be held throughout the show hours to provide hands-on instruction related to residential metal roofing, commercial metal roofing, metal wall systems, natural metals, tools, safety and more.
The show has something to offer to all decision makers in the construction market. If you are a contractor, engineer, architect, fabricator, developer, building owner, professor, student or government employee, attending METALCON can broaden your knowledge of the features and benefits of metal construction.
The theme for METALCON 2010 is Focus Forward. The past twenty years have been fantastic for the industry and for the METALCON partners. As the industry looks forward it sees buildings playing a larger role in the reduction of our nation’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
METALCON is focusing on how metal construction products and systems can play a role in the emerging trends of the building community. The emphasis on buildings becoming zero net energy within the next 20 years is evident in the broad range of products exhibiting their role in improving energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy generation. Solar Bay and the Green Island are prime examples of how METALCON is staying ahead of the curve, by focusing on the future. Metal building envelope components will play an important role in our nation’s efforts to reduce energy usage and allow buildings to be designed and/or retrofitted in the most sustainable fashion.
The Super Bowl prides itself on a halftime show. METALCON is no different this year with a gala party planned for the evening of October 20 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this industry event. There are rumors that the Blue Angels may even arrange a fly over with a tip of the wing to METALCON for their efforts over the last two decades (just kidding).
With METALCON taking place in the gambling capital of the world, we are reminded of how the wagers leading up to Super Bowl can become outrageous. Odds are placed on the outcome of the opening coin toss, or an over-under threshold for the number of cleat changes that will take place during the game. But if anyone is wagering on the success of METALCON this year, you can count on it being a sure winner!
See you in Las Vegas! For more information on METALCON, visit www.metalcon.com.
Scott Kriner, MCA's Technical Director, is the president and founder of Green Metal Consulting Inc. He is a LEED Accredited Professional who began his career in the metal construction industry in 1981. His company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the California Association of Building Energy Consultants and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Scott can be reached by email at skriner1@verizon.net, or by phone at (610) 966-2430. You can also visit him on the web at www.greenmetalconsulting.com.
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