AIA 2013 Recap

Another edition of the AIA show is now in the books and the reviews of the show were somewhat mixed.  A majority of exhibitors were disappointed with the traffic, especially on a brutal first day.  There were some folks who felt the show was solid though so once again I guess it depended on where you were and what you were selling.  From my view, it was not good.  The floor layout was a confusing mess and I simply did not see traffic coming anywhere close to 2012.  In any case despite the bad reviews I still remain very positive about the entire show process as a whole and can’t wait for the next big event… GlassBuild America!

--  So as you have come to expect from me over the years, here’s my rundown of the life on the floor and what I saw and heard. 

--  The big story easily was View and their latest round of funding led by Corning.  That had many people buzzing.  It is tremendous news for the entire dynamic space, for which I am a huge fan.  View’s booth was seriously impressive too.

--  From a product standpoint, the winners for me were Glass Apps and Pacific Architectural Millwork.  Glass Apps had the coolest interior switchable product that I have ever seen (and I have checked out a ton) and Pacific Architectural Millwork really had some sharp window and curtain wall innovations.  Both companies were not on my radar previously, they sure are now.

--  YKK premiered their latest fun architect video; you can check it out in my VIDEO of the WEEK area.  Good stuff.  It has already more than 84,000 views!  That is amazing!!  Kudos to Oliver Stepe, Mike Turner and company.

--  Once again the excellence of Rob Struble of PPG was on display with a creative usage of his entire booth space, including the backside.  Somehow Rob knew the back end of his exhibit would visible and filled the space with a cool ad to draw people in.  However for the first time in a while, Rob and company did NOT win best dressed… that award went to the very stylish gang at Viracon.  They were sporting new shirts with their logo on the cuff- very sweet.  

--  Downer of the week… a bottle of water was $4 at the convention hall.  Ouch.  And with the altitude there you needed to drink. 

--  I noted View and the excitement on Dynamic glazing above, and the other players showed nicely too. Sage with their smartly branded “Dynamic Decade” had a nice set up, as did the folks from Pleotint.  My pals from RavenBrick garnered a lot of attention with their hair dryer simulation in making their product go from clear to tint.  Good stuff from all. 

--  It was great seeing former interview subject Mark Silverberg of Technoform on the floor and chatting with him on next steps of the ASHRAE issue (more to come on that) and visiting with the classy pair of Dave and Cliff Helterbran.  That was a pleasure and honor.  At the Guardian booth (bustling with activity thanks to several new product launches) it was awesome to see old friends Brian Craft and Bob Cummings.  That was a day maker.  And at that booth, I’d be lost without the great Amy Hennes always looking out for me. 

--  Schott did not have a booth at AIA for the first time in several years, but they still had a presence thanks to Don Press working the floor and Dan Poling out and about.  Dan by the way was mistaken for the great actor James Franco several times.  (Right now my mom just made a face while reading this… the fact I called James Franco a “great actor” sorry Mom, I think he is…)

--  I did like the set up that Tubelite and Wausau had, just wish I had more time to browse there.  Plus I only got see the awesome Heather West from a far because she always had something going on.  Good to catch up with Nick Barone of GGI and the always-friendly Tom Herron of NFRC.

--  Next week I’ll be back with a look at the latest ABI, as well as a recap of the first Glass Management Institute session (still time to sign up folks- click HERE) and more.

LINKS of the WEEK

--  I love love love Disney and I have no problems with this.  Amazing how hypocritical people are.

--  Frightening and stupid mistake here- very lucky it landed in an honest persons hands.

--  I can’t even grasp what the heck this is.  And why.

VIDEO of the WEEK

The amazing YKK video on being an architect.  Fun and snappy rap tune as well!