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Movers & Shakers Meet in the Midwest
A Preview of Glass Expo Midwest™ 2011
by Megan Headley

Looking for an edge against the competition in 2011? How about networking to learn from those colleagues likewise interested in bettering their businesses in the year ahead? Better yet, how about taking in a couple of seminars on the topics most of interest to your customers? Or maybe it crossed your mind that some one-on-one-time with suppliers—the ones you’ve used for years and those popping up with brand new products—might give you the know-how to draw in more customers?

How about all of the above?

Attendees of Glass Expo Midwest™ 2011 can expect to find networking opportunities, top-notch education and personal attention from trade show exhibitors. The event will take place for its 17th year on April 7-8, 2011, at the Indianapolis Marriott East in Indianapolis.

In addition to the business benefits, show organizers are throwing in a bit of fun with a variety of door prize offerings. Attendees have the opportunity to earn gifts just for attending as prizes will be given away every other hour, on the hour, during the trade show hours on the show floor. Winners must be present to win the items being given this year, including big-screen TVs, cameras and iPods. One lucky attendee will walk away the winner of a BARKOW Cargo Van Glass Carrier courtesy of F. Barkow.

Learning Opportunities
This year’s Glass Expo Midwest will feature seminars on a variety of the latest trends of interest to the glass industry. Among those trends is building information modeling (BIM). Architects are using 3D modeling software to allow planners, designers, manufacturers, contractors, glazing subcontractors and owners to work from the same object-related database. During “BIM: How It’s Shaping the Future,” Expo attendees will learn from a BIM expert how to use this new technology to better the bottom line, streamline projects and more. Active glazing is another such trend. During the session on “New Dynamic and Solar Glazing,” attendees will learn just how their business fits into these new opportunities, as it will review dynamic electrochromic glass performance characteristics and the benefits to glazing contractors.

For a comprehensive overview, the two contract glazing updates will offer glaziers an economic forecast as well as tips for proper construction for watertight curtainwall by expert speakers. After all, to remain competitive in this dynamic environment, glaziers need to know what will affect their businesses in the year ahead.

The presentations will also provide some general product information. To help know just what types of products architects are looking for, so that glazing contractors can help to educate them on options, the expo will feature a seminar titled “What Do Architects Want?” “Selling Security Products: What You Need To Know” will feature a panel of experts discussing how to properly sell the benefits of security products, advanced security options and the relationship between film, glass and glazing. And in a presentation on “Proper Application of Mirrors,” attendees will hear some of the top tricks of the trade to make this portion of business run smoothly.

Several general business seminars also will be offered. Attendees will learn what is being predicted in terms of growth in the Midwest during Michael Collins’ seminar, “Economic Overview and Industry Outlook.” Collins is an investment banker with a focus on the door and window industry, an area in which he conducts extensive research. He publishes the Window & Door Industry Benchmark Survey, conducts semi-annual industry updates webinars and writes a monthly article for Door & Window Manufacturer (DWM)™ magazine.

To help build business during boom or bust, every company should have an up-to-date marketing plan. Since today’s marketing is much about providing information through a community, show organizers are offering information on using these online tools to benefit bottom lines in the seminar “E-Marketing: The Future of Promotion.”

An Extended Stay in Indy
Once the show is over, Indianapolis offers plenty of opportunities to unwind. Indy, “America’s most walkable city,” has some of the most beautiful architecture in the Midwest and with the event’s location close to downtown there is something for everyone. Located just minutes from downtown, the Indianapolis Marriott East offers all the amenities essential for a relaxed stay. It also is located near the Indy Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate Brickyard 400 and MotoGP.

Of course, Indianapolis is home to much more than just the Indy 500, though it’s certainly a favorite to race fans. It’s a place where you can take in the latest exhibit at the one of the country’s 10 largest and oldest general art museums, the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Cultural events, such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performing at Hilbert Circle Theatre or a visit to Indiana Repertory Theatre to experience the best in professional regional theatre in the heart of downtown Indy, can be enjoyed on any given evening. Foodies can appreciate the multitude of options in Indianapolis, such as the award-winning Goose the Market, ranked by Bon Appetit as one of their Top 10 U.S. sandwich shops, and St. Elmo Steak House home of the hottest meal in the world, as declared by the Travel Channel. There is something for everyone in Indy, and for every Midwestern glass shop at Glass Expo Midwest.

F. Barkow Donates Glass Rack to be Given Away at Glass Expo Midwest 2011
In addition to hard-hitting educational seminars and a comprehensive floor plan, attendees of Glass Expo Midwest 2011 automatically have the chance to win a multitude of door prizes. A top featured item is the BARKOW Cargo Van Glass Carrier, which will be given away to one lucky attendee (winner must be present to win). F. Barkow donated the all-aluminum glass carrier, which holds a $1,520 value. Also an exhibitor at the event, the company will show its complete line of products in booth #200.

Share with Your Customers
Next time you’re meeting with customers, give them an extra hand by letting them know that Glass Expo Midwest offers educational opportunities from which they too can benefit.

USGlass sister publication Door & Window Manufacturer (DWM)™ magazine will once again host Fenestration Day™, its line-up of fenestration-related seminars, on April 7, in conjunction with Glass Expo Midwest.

More Information?
Visit www.usglassmag.com/gems for more information about, and to register for, Glass Expo Midwest™ 2011.

USG
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