BEC Bonanza

The 28th BEC Conference is now in the books, and it was one heck of an experience.  Going in, there was concern about how challenging it would be to get to Louisville. But those concerns obviously went away because the people showed up in droves.  And once everyone arrived, Louisville and the host hotel really shone. It was fabulous with a perfect layout.  There was so much you could do (I feel like everyone but me went to the Louisville Slugger plant), and really, everyone was in pretty good spirits as we got it all off and going.  The annual Sunday night reception did not disappoint- a packed room- and just tons of folks connecting at every level.  The sessions on Monday and Tuesday really delivered. I could go on and on about them all, but I’ll just call out a couple.  The “New Gen” panel really worked- with an audience of mixed generations- the talk after was how relevant the conversation was and where it could go in the future.  On Tuesday, the AI session led by Ethan Turner of Binswanger, with AJ Hubert of Dynamic Group, Tyler Clark of Baringer Construction, and Johnny Maghzal of Togal.AI was fabulous.   These guys provided so much actionable insight and did it in a very enjoyable way.  I hope we can keep them coming and participating in our events. All four guys were fantastic.  All in all, the sessions were a success, and I’m sure I’ll hit on more in future blogs.  

-- Now on to my annual namedropapalooza. The seen and heard at the event.  Before I begin- I am writing this at the Louisville airport, and I’m cracking up because 75% of the entire conference is here waiting for flights, and because this airport is on the small side, with just two hallways in this terminal, everyone is seemingly doing laps to pass the time before they leave. I’m seeing it all as I sit in a Kentucky easy chair just off the main entrance ways to the two corridors.  It is comical. But I was happy to see people whom I missed at the show!

-- The BEC Conference is known for catching up with old friends and making new ones.  On the old friend side, my trip started perfectly thanks to the brilliant Jon Kimberlain of Dow, who grabbed me at the airport and treated me to an authentic Louisville breakfast that was off the charts.  His hospitality there and overall was off the charts. I was thrilled to get a few minutes with the nicest guy in the industry, Tom O’Malley from Clover Architectural, who was awesome as always. Joe Kaiser of Herzog is not only a great operator but also a tremendous human, and I cherish the time I get with him. I had not seen Gary Tongco of ES in a few years, so that was a pleasure, as was getting some time with Tom Nesbitt of United Architectural Metals and United Glass & Panel.  And on Tom, I say this every recap: I mention that he’s gonna come on my podcast, but I think it’s for real this time. Dapper Dan Reinhart of Salem was there in his spiffy best, as was my guy Danik Dancause of Walker.  Style off the charts.

-- On the new side, it was excellent to meet Marcie Harris of E30 Facades in person.  Cool person with the best business cards ever. I loved meeting Mason Harper of NU-VU Glass, and his enthusiasm was seriously contagious.  I got a few minutes with Bob Phillips of Forman Glass; hopefully, we’ll get to know him better down the line.  After all, he is from the great state of Michigan. Jennifer Ellison of Super Sky was a joy.  She is seriously sharp and is going to make very positive waves in our industry.  Nice to meet Mark Green of Shape Exchange. I’m excited to learn more about his tech at the Texas Glass Conference in late April.  I had always heard about Lawrence Ginsburg of Arcadia and finally got to meet him.  That was super.  The dynamic duo of Amy and Chris Ratterree of Grizzly Glass were 1st time attendees, and they are really impressive people.  Love what they have going!

-- The From the Fabricator podcast has allowed me to meet more people than I ever thought, and it was awesome to hear from folks that they listen/watch. Thank you, Spencer Newman of Larson Engineering, Marty Scarborough of CDC, Anssi Alatalo of KOJA, and Derek Holtmayer of Quaker.  I appreciate it a ton.  And a note on Derek- sharp young guy seeing this industry needs more of his gen in place- so hopefully we can get some focus on that need. Also seeing past guests like the positive presence of Lisa Lococo Smith of Kawneer.  She was incredible on the pod and very much so in person.  The sales GOAT Art Huard, owning the room like only he can, and Jodi Martinez of AllStar Glass. She is a force!

-- The hotel was spectacular, so it was extra cool that my pal Shelly Farmer of Glasshape had product on there from a past life- loved seeing it. (Shelly is the sales dynamo!)  As well as the curtain wall was incredible, and the gang from Pioneer rocked that one, it was nice to give props to Paul Robinson (past pod guest too), Coleman Jones, and Kip Larison. All good folks and huge industry supporters, too. Speaking of support- we can’t have a BEC without Joe and Mike Clabbers of National Glass & Metal. They are the OGs of this event, and I’m thrilled they don't miss.

-- More industry stars were there- Mark Rabinowitz making an appearance was cool, and having his son Justin there as well was huge.  Loved seeing them, and I’m pumped for Justin’s path in our world. Impressive person!  Drew Forester brings it every time- infectious enthusiasm!  The marketing guru Rich Porayko was everywhere, and I don’t think he slept in the 72 hours he was in town.  Star/Legend Andrew Haring was only there a short time, and I got about 30 seconds with him because he was mobbed otherwise.  I saw the tremendous Troy Johnson of Apogee Architectural Metals on Sunday for 2 minutes, and then on Tuesday afternoon at the airport (like everyone else) for 30 seconds. But hey- I’ll take it! And this BEC will be memorable as it was the last one for the retiring Tom Jackson of Steel Encounters.  Getting time with him is a delight.  He also passed to me a very thoughtful gift that I will cherish.  So happy for Tom for his next phase in life, but his absence surely will leave a hole.

-- It was nice to see Kurtis Suellentrop of WINCO for a few moments as the show wound down- great that he attends and supports!  Simply off the charts to get a few minutes with the ultra-talented Krisy Kilpatrick of Isoclima.  She’s a superstar, no doubt. Though I was bummed I got zero time with her Isoclima cohort Lance Cotton.  I won’t let that happen again. Josh Aknin of Glass 3 Enterprises was another one that I got more time in at the Louisville airport than at the show- so grateful for that! 

-- I mentioned the sessions- and big kudos to Ted Baumgardner (Guthrie AI), Emily Yukish (Specified Systems), Patric Murphy (Texas Commercial Glass), and Evan Afenir (DP Glass) for their efforts.  They are a major part of our industry's future, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish.  Tactical Tuesday was a success in my estimation, the AI session I highlighted above delivered and so did the “Beards”- Brandon Bellegarde and Tyler Faulk of The Drafting Marketplace had an incredibly fun and creative take on preconstruction. Truly memorable! And last on that day, Travis Nevins (IUPAT) interviewed two strong field tech players in Evan Pennington of Trimble and Conley Oster of Raise Robotics. What they are doing for a sliver of the industry now will be mainstream faster than we realize.

-- A few more to hit- Joffy Thompson of United Plate Glass is a great presence at this event- he just gets it. Bruce Murray of Steel Encounters is a big timer too- he continues to drive good things out there. I only got to see Kevin Hardman (Hardman Glazing) for a second because I think he’s starting a ninth and tenth business, and also consulting for the state of Kentucky while he was there. Seth Madole of Viracon- smooth as always, and some happy blessings in his world. Though, as is tradition, did I see Garret Henson from Viracon? Yes.  Did I get to say more than a passing Hi? Nope. It never fails.  I think I have to go to Minnesota to get time in front of one of the best we have in our space. Or a return appearance on the podcast.

-- Kreg Hatfield of Guardian Glass was a huge help as always- and he’s been a super clutch guy in every setting I’ve been with him in.  Grateful for his support- excellent person. I heard the Guardian Glass Project awards were awesome, and I was thrilled my pals Tom Donovan and Lorne Flaig of Thompson Innovative Glass walked away with one of the honors.  Those guys live and breathe this industry, and you know, for me, that’s a huge thing. I can also say the same thing for the Physical Security team- Trevor Barrett gets it, as does his new co-worker, Danny Bostic.  Wonderful seeing both of them.

-- Derick Clutchey and Trevor Elliot of YKK were in the middle of everything- I swear that each time I’d turn around, they had a crowd around them.  Kai Knitter (Oahu Metal & Glazing) made the trek from Hawaii, which was cool and classy- as always, from his family.  Quick visits with Nathan Seaman (FORM), Wade Arnold of (USBP/Quikserv), Pat O’Connor of the Glass & Metal Alliance, and the upcoming- must attend- Glass Symposium helped make my time a success. And last on this, Bobby Hartong and Rob Taliani of WA Wilson made their first-ever BEC appearance, and I was thrilled when Bobby committed to being at every upcoming show and maybe even jumping in as a major sponsor. That’s huge!  I hope those guys, along with everyone else, had an incredible time.

-- I’m sure I missed a few folks, and I am sorry to do so- but I can honestly say I loved every single interaction I had!

-- Before I wrap- big kudos to the entire NGA team for their intense work on this from start to finish.  But just a few I have to mention here- Bethany Stough was an absolute hero in making sure this event got promoted, the brilliant Tara Lukasik managed the show flow perfectly, and Katy Devlin crushed it as always, leading the content effort and also being that calming force to keep things rolling.  Next year, BEC heads west to San Diego.  That has the makings of another unbelievable event.  But until then, in the NGA world, the new Glass Fabricator Conference-GFAB debuts in Chicago this June, and of course, the biggest and best major show in the land- GlassBuild America hits in September in Las Vegas.  Hope to see all of you at one or all of these events.

Programming note- No blog next week. I’m actually taking a few days off, going off-grid, and will attempt to recharge the batteries.  I’ll be back in this space the week of March 22nd with a new podcast that is shaping up to be a real dandy, and of course, my weekly run through our world. See you then!

(Links and Project of the Week return in the next post as well!)