The Amazing Show Floor

Well the AIA show is off and running and there’s plenty to talk about.

The attitude of the attendees is very good. Especially the three following groups:

Designers involved with....

Schools

Hospitals

Military bases

All 3 groups were easy to recognize because they were the ones who were carrying the most info and stopping and smiling everywhere they went.

So far the feeling is that the commercial segment will stay strong for a while- which is a good sign- at least judging from the folks I talked with they are putting up a very confident front.

As for the show itself, the main story is the floor… the actual layout of the floor to be exact. This has to be the oddest layout of a trade show I have ever seen. The building is broken up badly and this is the first trade show that I have seen people constantly looking at their maps and also checking the “You are here” kiosks. Normally trade shows feature a simple up and down flow… nope not here. I swear if a cop followed you trying to walk this floor with its zigs and zags you’d get pulled over for WUI- Walking Under the Influence. Seriously it’s so bad that I wish I would’ve sponsored portable GPS for the show floor and I would’ve been the most popular man around.

While traffic for my booth and some around me like the folks from Pilkington has been solid, I feel horrible for those who are in the outer Siberia of the show or even worse in separate rooms! Yes amazingly there are separated rooms that have a handful of booths and not many visitors. Its kind of like the AIA version of Exile Island. (And probably after this post, next year in Boston, Arch will be in Exile Island!). Or better yet, its like most of the show is at the adult table for Thanksgiving while those little rooms are like the kids tables.

That challenge aside it still very well attended and Friday will hopefully allow more people to find their way and visit the outer regions.

Also from the floor..

- Its funny I noted here in the last few weeks about the many companies that may be for sale and sure enough there was a lot of talk about that. When you get this many industry mavens in one place, you can surely expect the rumors to fly and they sure are.

- Very small Chinese contingent here which is refreshing. Also heard from a few architects that they are not happy when jobs are getting switched to Communist Chinese material. In fact one architect went out of his way to find me and tell me he had “nothing do with” the usage of Chinese material on one of his jobs. Amazing. I think part of the guilty feelings are based on the fact that sooner than later the “Buy America” act will be bowing its head and none of these guys want to be the ones that get stuck in the middle of a disaster.

- As for the “Buy America” act- get ready, it’s real and it’s coming your way soon.

- TGP had announcement on their new Steel Curtainwall. It should be an interesting product added to their current lines. Steel has been popular in Europe and could find a niche here in the States. The best part is at least it’s not Vinyl. I’m surely not a fan of Vinyl for commercial usage and have serious issues with its durability and laugh when I hear how "Green" it is. Can you recycle it? If the answer is no, its not green in my book. Then again paint that releases VOC's are considered "green" so what do I know.

- Lastly, It was a thrill to hear from so many people who take the time to read this blog. I do appreciate your support!

This week’s video- from earlier in the week- a Dallas Maverick fan trying to dunk from a trampoline… and well he is… not…. even…close…..