If there were one word that could sum up GlassBuild America
2012 it would be “engaged.” For the last
few years the show had some positive moments, exhibitors still built amazing
booths but the attendees struggled to fill expectations against a brutal economy. This year however the tide turned. This time in a very successful event, the
attendees were truly engaged in positive conversations with the exhibitors and
they actually had real live business to discuss. I heard from so many people who booked business
or found great prospects that it really was exciting. Like one exhibitor told me- last year it was
“wow I hope someday to use your product” while this year was “I have a project
and I want to use your product”- what a difference a year makes. I have been to boatloads of shows over the
years and I always gauge the crowd and get a feel for expectations. After this one, I can’t help but feeling
positive that we are headed in the right direction. Time surely will tell though, but for now I
am enjoying where we are going.
My quick awards:
Best Booths: Quanex-
they always have a great presence but this year their booth was perfect- open,
inviting, informational and truly welcoming.
The runner up was PRL for their amazing mix of materials, including some
really unique hardware.
Most Newsworthy Event: The GEF “State of the Industry” panel
absolutely delivered. The three
panelists delivered in an 80-minute session that could’ve gone on all morning.
Hot Product: Decorative Glass still rules, but the
installation equipment for the glazier was a very close 2nd. (loving
the lifts and cranes!)
Best shirts: Lauren Manufacturing with the blue, orange, and
black shirts. Sign me up- that group has
excellent fashion taste!
Top show stoppers: Several booths had professional models
working, and YKK even got Jay Leno (or a close impersonator) to work their
party. Looks like the Vegas style is back!
And before I hit my part of the show, I have to give major
props to the 7 ladies who put this show on- they build this thing from the
ground up and deal with every obstacle thrown at them to put on a first class
event. So to Denise Sheehan (the boss
and driving force), Susan Jacob, Zoe Buckmaster, Dominique Spaide, Cindy Luria,
Jaime Barnhart and Jennifer Robinson, congrats ladies, you are one talented and
amazing team!!
Now on to the show scene…
On a very busy show floor… people seen and people missed…
Who I saw…
-- Last week I said if you see me, stop me and say hi… first to
do that, Mike Gainey of Azon… Odd to see
Claude Duquette of “Eastman” now that Solutia is a part of that company. He did look dapper in a great red Eastman
golf shirt though. He was with Doug
Marren who will be returning from the solar world to work in glass again- great
to have him back in our side of things!
Good to see industry stalwarts like John Dwyer and Bernard Lax. I saw the Idaho State football hall of famer
Dave Michaeli of AGC- looks like he could gear up now and rush the QB. And speaking of AGC, running into Matt
Ferguson was an unexpected pleasure. No
show for me is OK unless I see Jan Rogan of PPG, so I knew all would be well when
I visited her on day 1.
-- The always-dynamic duo of Bob Price and Mike Nicklas of JEB
even stopped and said hi to me. On the
fashion side Danik Dancause of Walker broke out a powder blue sport coat that
not only drew attention at the show, but also had all the women at Coyote Ugly wanting
him to dance on a table. (That will never happen to me!) Always nice to see my old friend Chad
Simkins, who is now doing great things for Soladigm. Speaking of old friends, getting to see Bret
Summers of Arcadia was great as well as catching up with Michael Schmidt at
Erdman Automation (who’s booth was jammed all day every day).
-- A few more… saw fellow bloggers and NGA heavyweights (as
well as excellent businessmen) Bill Evans and Chris Mammen. I also met for the first time Mike Albert and
Bryan Bush, great guys. Got to have a
quick visit with one of the best reps in our world, Dan Pompeo, who was there
with his better half and the brains of their operation- his wife, Stacey. The Quanex people as a whole are always so
welcoming to me- I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality. Dave Lutrell and Tom Noe of Glasstech actually admitted that they read
the blog- then again they said this at the big reception party, so who knows…
LOL. Bowie Neumayer of Cardinal and I
caught up and compared notes on Fantasy Football… hopefully by the time you
read this Bowie’s team will have a win on the board or they’ll be heck to pay.
-- Finally on the scene, it was super to catch up with family… my
brother and nephew Josh along with Justin Benline and Tim Marconi of WA Wilson
were there. Great to see my bro and Josh
and watch them cringe realizing that they are related to me as I worked the
floor in an obnoxious yellow media vest.
(Yes, I think both want to disown me)
Who I missed…
-- I know Rodger Ruff of AGC was there, but didn’t ever get to
catch up to him- his booth was always packed when I went by. Tom O’Malley the legend from Doralco I saw
for a second and never saw again. Joanne
Funyak of PPG missed the show, and really all missed her. Joe Carlos of Triview was working the floor
and seminars so I didn’t get as much time with him as I would like. I saw Derek Malmquist, the excellent VP of
Marketing for SAGE for a split second- and then did not make it to his booth in
time to visit. Very disappointing for
me. Saw Mark Spencer of SAPA several
times, but the guy is too popular, so never could get a chance to talk. And last but certainly not least Earnest
Thompson of Guardian had to miss because of other meetings… or maybe because he
was afraid an Alabama fan would approach the booth and remind him about the U
of M-Bama game….
-- Final thoughts… Hope to see everyone in Atlanta in 2013… this
year proved yet again that this is the show where the industry meets and the
networking is just top notch. It was
amazing to see how many meetings and gatherings there were all over the show
floor, in the lounges, at the lunch tables, heck any area that someone could
sit down really. BUSINESS WAS BEING
DONE! It was great to see. This show brought it out… (and yes I am
biased, I do promote and work on the show, but still…)
-- Last…. My feet hurt.
Time for universal rules that we can all wear sneakers or comfortable
shoes… No more worry about fashion and political correctness- lets focus on
comfort!!!!
LINKS of the WEEK
-- I am so friggin fat right now… I may actually try thisgimmicky diet.
-- Read this article and you can’t help but thinking this kid
is headed towards a life of crime if his mind is working like this at age 8!
-- Brand new computers pre loaded with Malware… oh joy(sarcasm)
VIDEO of the WEEK
Last week was the new Red Dawn… this week the sequel to
Taken… called Taken 2. Now I thought the
original Taken was awesome. Wish I had
kick tail skills like Liam Neeson. My
worry is sometimes the 2nd movie ruins the memory of the first…but I
am willing to give this one a shot- here’s the trailer.
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