– By Beth Schaefer –
Closed schools across the state. Nine inches of snow. Sub-zero temps. Cancelled flights. Public transportation awry. Unplowed streets and snowed-over sidewalks.
That’s right—during the third week of February 2015, the city of Louisville, Kentucky, was eerily empty. So where was everybody? At the Frame Building Expo!
Despite Mother Nature’s assaults, the halls of the Kentucky International Convention Center were populated with builders, exhibitors and post-frame construction enthusiasts. Clearly, the advantages of excellent education, high-quality products and services and business-impacting networking opportunities outweighed the advantages of staying home and avoiding the storm.
To provide a sharply focused snapshot of the event, we’ll start with the new things that hit the expo stage this year.
Ken Gieseke (center left), board chair, and Greg Lehman (center right), chair-elect and chair of the expo planning committee, cut the ribbon to officially start the expo. They were joined by (left to right) Jeff Henry, NFBA president; Larry Edema, past chair; Todd Carlson, treasurer; and board member Dan Nyberg.
Gracing the Expo for the First Time
Safety Demo
As NFBA builds on its commitment to worksite safety, the association recruited a reputable safety manufacturer, Honeywell Safety Products, to showcase critical safety measures. Honeywell presented equipment for suspension trauma and confined space entry and rescue and demonstrated anchorage connectors and temporary horizontal lifeline systems with dynamism.
Post-Frame Building Design Manual
NFBA’s new Post-Frame Building Design Manual is now available. And what more perfect location for delivery than the expo? The manual contains eight chapters, 200 pages, and hundreds of photos, diagrams, illustrations and design tables. Author David Bohnhoff, PhD, PE, introduced the manual in his session “The Past, Present, and Future of NFBA’s Post-Frame Building Design Manual.”
Swenson Shearing Contest
Hats off to Swenson Shear for throwing their hard hats into the ring of expo sponsors. Swenson Shear, a heavy-duty metal-panel-cutting tool manufacturer, sponsored its shearing competition—the first to be held at an expo. More than 20 contestants took part—an impressive number for a first run! The prize was a free shear with the winner’s choice of shear head. NFBA thanks Swenson Shear for spearheading, or rather shear-heading, this exciting event. Congrats to John Young of Powerlift Doors, who showed off his shearing prowess.
John Young (left) with Powerlift Doors, received congratulations from Jonathan Dravecky, CEO of Swenson Shear, for his first-place win in the first-ever shearing contest sponsored by Swenson Shear. The prize was a new shear.
Entrance-Unit Construction
Expo attendees flowing into the exhibit hall were greeted by an impressive entry unit—the first industry-relevant entrance to be part of a Frame Building Expo—constructed by NFBA member company Greiner Buildings. The unit used Rigidply glu-laminated columns, Post Saver wrapped columns and Engineered Building Design trusses (a combination of common trusses, vaulted trusses, and gambrel trusses).
Workshop Led by Action Coach
Action Coach, a world-renowned business coaching firm, provided one of its best and brightest to speak at the expo. K. P. Persaud, an executive business coach with a background in engineering, delivered an intensive, riveting workshop on sales and marketing competencies. He interacted closely with workshop attendees, presenting techniques on question-based selling, relationship selling, transactional sales, phone sales and online sales.
Client Meeting Rooms
The 2015 expo afforded exhibitors the luxury of complimentary meeting rooms in which they could conduct business. NFBA recognizes that, with the din of so many exhibitors and chattering attendees, suppliers need a little one-on-one time with their prospective customers.
Back by Popular Demand
Expo LIVE!
After a smashing debut in Nashville, Expo LIVE! came back for a curtain call in Louisville. Dozens of onlookers congregated around booths and demo areas to take in the live demonstrations. The presenters were Admirals Bank, on financing for residential and agricultural post-frame structures; AJ Manufacturing, on tools for material managers; Hoover Treated Wood Products, on fire-retardant treated wood; McElroy Metal, on insulated metal panels; Metal Sales Manufacturing, on challenging trim-flashing details; and Replications Unlimited, on the design and installation of new faux-stone panels.
Last but not least, NFBA presented its membership demo. Attendees learned all about the values of membership, which include access to technical and safety resources, business leads, insider industry info; expo registration and product discounts; marketing materials; networking opportunities; and so much more!
Redesigned Building of the Year Awards Ceremony
Once again, the expo awards ceremony opened and closed with applause. Moderated by Todd Carlson of AJ Manufacturing, with support from Sharon Thatcher of Rural Builder magazine, the ceremony proved enjoyable for all. Now in its second year, the redesigned, expanded Building of the Year program recognized exceptional post-frame structures—with winning companies of different sizes across a range of applications.
Graber Post Reception
Graber Post Buildings again held a lively shindig at the expo. Catchy, contemporary tunes were sung by performer Will Stoltz, who knows how to rock a room with a spiritual cover. Graber, we look forward to your next festive gathering in Indy!
Crew Training
Builders, crew members, trainers, site supervisors and trade students rolled up their sleeves for hands-on training. Attendees of sessions in the Crew Training track learned skills in these areas: post-frame construction job-site safety, how to respond to a job-site safety visit by Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials, risk management and permanent bracing of long-span trusses, proper use and handling of wood products, and radiant floor heat. They also had the chance to learn about NFBA’s Post-Frame Building Design Manual.
OSHA 10-Hour Workshop on Construction and Safety
Ray Wellington, safety trainer at Energy Panel Structures, led the “OSHA 10-Hour Workshop on Construction and Safety,” offered for the second time at an expo. Harlan Hoover, of Keystone Construction, remarked as he was leaving the session: “The OSHA 10-Hour Workshop contained a lot of info on how to stay ahead of OSHA [on the compliance front], which is very helpful in our business.”
Traditional Favorites
Contests on the Showroom Floor
Once again, the expo hit the nail on the head with its contests allowing attendees to display their considerable skills. Returning to the limelight were Maze Nails and Atlas Bolt & Screw Company. Maze sponsored the nail-pounding competition, and Atlas Bolt & Screw sponsored the annual screw-driving contest. Fun was had by all!
Christians in Construction Reception
The Christians in Construction Reception has always been a powerful meeting at the expo, celebrating community and delivering a strong spiritual message. This year’s event was no exception. Reception attendees enjoyed an inspirational musical quartet (The Noblemen) in the company of appreciative listeners.
Plyco Hospitality Reception
Let’s give a round of applause for another round of Plyco Hospitality! Rumor has it this year’s party stretched into the wee hours of the morning. If there’s one thing attendees know, it’s that Plyco sure knows how to throw a party! Their regular performer (pianist Fred Beyer) commanded a grand piano, and several feisty attendees ended up stealing the mic and singing karaoke. Al Geisthardt, of Plyco Corporation, commented, “The Plyco Hospitality event is everyone’s best opportunity to share some fun conversation with old friends and to meet new ones, especially the new group coming into the industry.”
A Poignant Moment: The Keynote Address
The 2015 keynote presenter was former Major League pitcher Dave Dravecky. In 1988 Dravecky was diagnosed with cancer in his pitching arm. A handful of years later—after a whirlwind of surgery and radiation—the only solution was amputation.
Tears were visible in the audience as Dravecky spoke of his battle with cancer and the loss of his arm…and of his career. But those tears may have been a testament to the rich meaning that he achieved through his struggle as much as a sign of empathy with his loss.
Dravecky described how he recreated himself after his amputation and navigated through a process. That process involved the support of others, and what struck him most was the realization that life is not about the individual; it’s about the human beings who enter and share your life.
“There were many people along the way who stepped into my story when it meant sacrifice on their part so that I could be comforted in the midst of my pain,” Dravecky said. “Some of the most amazing lessons that I’ve learned have come through the struggles and the adversity of life that have helped me to see the value of people in my life.”
A Fruitful Quest for Knowledge
This year’s educational sessions were meaty but not didactic. This made for the perfect blend of stimulating educational content and practical, easy-to-follow (and easy-to-implement) best practices.
The Frame Building Expo has always been an instructional leader in practical, applicable material—both cerebral and hands-on. Tracks were laid out by building experts in management, sales and marketing; crew training; and technical and product knowledge. John Higgins, of Miller’s Metals, was very pleased with the learning opportunities: “We live in a rural area, so it was great to come to the expo and talk to people with similar interests. I plan to come back next year.”
The Center of It All: The Exhibit Hall
When you get down to it, every home needs a foundation. And for NFBA, our “home” has always been the exhibit hall. Yes, the show floor is the core gathering place for association members across all areas of construction.
The bees that really kept the show floor buzzing, of course, were the exhibitors—those bustling vendors talking shop and demonstrating their wares. The exhibits this year were magnetic. Exhibitors excitedly unveiled their newest products and services and invited questions from all who came to the booths.
CJ Covell, an exhibitor with Everlast Roofing, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, said he came to the expo “to connect with existing customers, build new relationships and have fun!” He continued, “It’s great to see so much energy and excitement about the post-frame industry gathered together in one place.”
Get Ready for the 2016 Expo
Now that you’ve read about the highlights of the 2015 expo, you’re undoubtedly eager to hear about plans for 2016. Next year the expo is returning to one of its most alluring venues: Indianapolis! The 2016 expo will be held March 9–11 at the Indiana Convention Center. So mark your calendars and get ready for the ride. Stay on the lookout for more details coming your way this summer! FBN