by Megan Headley

“We got some real good responses … We were very pleased.” 
—David King, Texas Tempered Glass Inc. 

With seminars drawn to a close and booths packed up, many Glass TEXpo’06 attendees left San Antonio with a better understanding of the glass industry and a stronger commitment to their state association. These two messages were important throughout the show, which ran from April 7-8 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio. The event was co-sponsored by the Texas Glass Association (TGA) and Key Communications Inc., publisher of USGlass magazine. 

Many attendees came into town a day early to participate in the golf tournament sponsored by TGA. 
The winning low-gross team was made up of Jerry Bissey, PPG; Bob Lawrence, Craftsman Fabricated Glass; Willard White, ACI; and Patrick Smith, USGlass magazine. The team shot a score of 60 for 12 under par. Alan Sharp, Sam Hill, Danny Goode and Bob Taylor, all with AFG, comprised the team with the winning net score of 60. 

John Linhart with Craftsman Fabricated Glass won the competition for closest to the pin, while Ray Horton, also with Craftsman, demonstrated the longest drive of 335 yards.

Learning More 
Golfers, exhibitors and attendees moved inside Friday and Saturday for seminars on architectural glass and management. 
John Hornsey, national sales director with Winco Window, discussed the newest developments in blast-resistant glazing, framing and testing requirements. Blast-resistant glazing led to a seminar on hurricane glazing, presented by Doug Penn, marketing manager for YKK America. Penn explained impact-resistant glazing requirements including where impact-resistant products are required, which products can be used and product testing. 

Thomas Strittmatter, senior architectural sales for Oldcastle Glass, covered the basics in Glass 101. His presentation focused on the differences between low-E and low-I, how new coatings and hydrophobic glasses that are being introduced will change projects and much more. Ted Krantz with PPG elaborated on low-E’s role in energy efficiency.

On the Show Floor 
Following two full mornings of seminars, the trade show ran with steady traffic for exhibitors. 

“We’ve had a good show,” said Eric Hermann, chief financial officer of Friedman Corp. 

The company offered attendees a chance to preview demos of its quote management information systems (QMIS) software for dealers, subcontractors and material suppliers. The software is designed to manage the sales process from quotation to final invoice. 

David King, with sales for Texas Tempered Glass Inc. of Houston, said he’d received several quality leads at the expo. 
“We got some real good responses,” said King. “We were very pleased.” 

The company offered information on its new laminated hurricane glass in thicknesses of 5/16-, 7/16- and 9/16-inch. 
Steve Coyle with Performance Achievement Group drew large crowds to the auto glass replacement demonstrations that took place both days. Using cars and windshields donated by Pilkington, tools supplied by Equalizer and AEGIS and adhesives from Shat-R-Proof, Coyle demonstrated best practices for a well-installed windshield. Jay Burman with Craftsman also drew a large crowd with his show floor seminar on heavy glass shower doors. 

“Awarding” Experience
As the trade show wound down on Friday, TGA president Jerry Wright of AAA Glass welcomed attendees with his comments on the importance of participation in the associations. Tom Lee, of Lee & Cates Glass who also serves as the National Glass Association chairperson, continued with that message by discussing the benefits of association involvement. 
Jerry Bissey of PPG next took the podium to recognize Bob Lawrence, president of Craftsman Fabricated Glass, for his contributions to the relief efforts following Hurricane Rita. Lawrence had used the company’s trucks to transport and distribute much needed supplies to hurricane victims. 

Also recognized was Donald Day of Texas Glass and Tinting in Victoria, Texas. The association’s Lou Green Award, which honors an outstanding professional in the glass industry, was accepted on his behalf. 

Attendees found not only answers to their questions about new products, but also some fun from door prizes sponsored by Palmer Mirro-Mastics, Arch Aluminum and Glass, Equalizer Industries and GTS Services during Friday’s Casino Night hosted by the TGA. Craftsman Fabricated Glass sponsored Friday evening’s cocktail party.

Glass TEXpo ’08 will return to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio. 

theAuthor...
Megan Headley is an assistant editor for USGlass. 

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