Check Out The Numbers, Then Make Plans To Attend METALCON 2010
By Shawn Zuver, editorial/content director
The numbers are truly impressive. There are literally thousands of products in the metal construction industry, supplied by hundreds upon hundreds of companies for use on tens of thousands of new and retrofit construction projects around the world each year.
On DesignandBuildwithMetal.com, for example, you can access information on more than 1,400 companies who service the metal construction marketplace, including direct links to their websites and often times their product catalogs. There’s little doubt that electronic media places a wide range of information at our fingertips in a matter of seconds, yet there are still times when we all need to see and touch the actual products, and talk to the suppliers face to face.
That’s where trade shows provide one of their biggest benefits. And in the metal construction industry, nothing comes close to rivaling the annual METALCON International conference and exhibition. The 2010 event, marking METALCON’s 20th anniversary, will be held October 20-22 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Living up to its reputation as “The One Event For Metal Construction Products, Technologies And Solutions”, METALCON offers the opportunity to visit hundreds of suppliers during three days of exhibits. From a practical standpoint, it’d be impossible to spend the time and money to visit such a large number of individual suppliers to see their product lines. At this one trade show, though, it can all be done in one exhibit hall, with the opportunity to talk directly with the experts who can answer all your questions. I’ve attended every METALCON since the first show in Washington, DC, in 1991, and strongly feel that it’s the “can’t miss” event of the year for anyone interested in metal construction and design.
In addition to the seeing the exhibits, METALCON attendees are able to…
Stay up to date on current construction techniques. Installation demos conducted by the Metal Construction Association, METALCON’s official sponsor, are presented each day of the show—covering roofing, wall panels and related topics.
Earn continuing education credits. Attendees can also benefit from the expert advice offered in the broad range of METALCON conferences, most which offer AIA continuing education credits. These seminars typically take place in the morning hours, allowing attendees to participate in them before the exhibit hall opens.
Learn how solar collection can be integrated into metal roofs and metal walls. Solar Bay, introduced at METALCON 2009 in Tampa, is a popular educational area on the exhibit hall floor that offers presentations covering a variety of solar collection systems that are being used in conjunction with metal construction products. In addition, full-scale mockups show how the systems are put together. It’s a great way to learn how solar collection systems can be integrated into your projects.
Research products that focus on sustainability. The Green Island of the METALCON exhibit hall is an area that showcases companies who focus on sustainable design. Visitors can see products that are designed to conserve water and energy, as well as those that reduce material waste, and some whose manufacturing processes control the release of toxic pollutants into the environment. There are also Energy Star rated products and those used in LEED certified buildings. For information about exhibiting in Green Island, contact Paula Parker at 617-965-0055, ext. 145 or email pparker@psmj.com.
Check out new products. The New Product Harbor, which we at DesignandBuildwithMetal.com are happy to sponsor again this year in Las Vegas, allows METALCON visitors to view product innovations, many that will be seen by the public for the first time. For suppliers who’d like information about exhibiting in the New Product Harbor, contact METALCON’s Kate Lavelle at (617) 965-0055, ext. 137 or email klavelle@psmj.com.
As I mentioned above, METALCON is sponsored by the Metal Construction Association (MCA), a group dedicated to growing the use of metal in construction. DesignandBuildwithMetal.com is a proud member of the MCA, as are many other leading product manufacturers, material suppliers and related companies. To learn more about MCA, including its many research projects and technical publications, go to www.metalconstruction.org. Dozens of other trade organizations are also cooperating participants in METALCON.
Las Vegas is a great location for METALCON, pulling in thousands of suppliers, architects, contractors and related professionals from all over the world. The city is a major entertainment destination, leading to some affordable pricing for flights and hotel rooms—something that we all can appreciate. And special discounts available from METALCON make travel arrangements even more economical. I hope to see you there…don’t forget to stop by and see us in the New Product Harbor, where you can sign up for our daily prize drawings.
To learn more about METALCON, including attending the 2010 event in Las Vegas, go to www.metalcon.com. For companies who are interested in exhibiting products and services to METALCON's worldwide audience, click here.
Shawn Zuver is editorial/content director for DesignandBuildwithMetal.com. He has been covering the metal construction industry, including residential and non-residential construction, since 1985. To contact Shawn, call (419) 581-2051 or email shawnz@designandbuildwithmetal.com.
To view other columns by Shawn or other columnists, click here.