BECBooms_feature_USGlassMarch2012

Volume 47, Issue 3 - March 2012

feature

BEC Booms
Conference Promises to Feature Hot-Button Issues for Nation’s Glazing Contractors

The annual conference of the Building Envelope Contractors (BEC) Division of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) is being held March 18-20, 2012 at the Paris Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The conference opens on Sunday, March 18, with a meeting of the BEC Technical Committee from 3 to 5 p.m. Afterwards, meeting attendees are encouraged to relax and network at a welcome reception.

Down to Business
On Monday, March 19, attendees are starting the day early at 8 a.m. with a welcome speech by Henry Taylor of Kawneer Inc., chair of the BEC division.

A landmark keynote speech by Ted Hathaway, CEO of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, is scheduled to follow; Hathaway is addressing the state of the glass and glazing industry.

Victor Cornellier, CEO of TSI/Exterior Wall Systems, whose company ranks number 10 on this year’s USGlass list of the nation’s top contract glaziers (see related story on page 24), is following with a talk titled “Leadership in Your Contract Glazing Firm.”

For those optimistic but cautious about a construction rebound, Scott Hunter, an Irvine, Calif.-based motivational speaker, is addressing the topic, “How to Position Your Business for the Coming Recovery.”

A trade show is open during the lunchtime hour, after which attendees can participate in an informative presentation by Anthony Callas, director of operations for Heinaman Glass: “How to Avoid Problems in the Field: Project Management.” The presentation is first in a small afternoon series, to be followed by Thomas Schwartz, president of the building technology group and senior principal for Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. Schwartz is continuing the field problems segment with a discussion specifically about installation, fabrication and labor.

Contract language is an ever-crucial topic, and Richard Kalson, shareholder and attorney for Babst Calland Clements and Zomnir, is addressing it in a session called “Trends/Changes in Contract Language That Will Impact Your Business.”

Courtney Little, president of ACE Glass Construction Corp., is wrapping up the day’s sessions with a seminar titled, “How Do You Know You Are Making Money?”

A networking reception follows, giving attendees a chance to discuss the day’s sessions, catch up on business, and network.

Panel Time
What happens when you place an architect, general contractor, contract glazier and a project owner on a panel together? At this year’s BEC Conference, attendees are finding out, when a panel titled “How Contract Glaziers Can Assist in Building the Buildings of the Future” convenes one of each of these together for a group presentation. The panel features Keith Boswell, technical director for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; and owner David Bellman, senior vice president for Avalonbay Communities Inc. Little also is participating on the panel as a contract glazing industry representative. An hour-long question and answer session is following the panel, along with more time to visit the trade show’s exhibitors.

Relaxation Time
The three-day event concludes on March 20 with a golf outing for the industry’s major players to show off on the greens and network while doing so.

For the latest updates about the event schedule,visit www.glasswebsite.com/events/bec and see information below for a schedule at a glance.

Schedule at a Glance

Sunday, March 18, 2012
Registration Open 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
BEC Technical Committee Meeting 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Monday, March 19, 2012
Registration Open 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Breakfast/Trade Show Open 6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
General Session 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Trade Show Open 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Registration Open 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast/Trade Show Open 6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
General Session 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Golf Outing 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.