METALCON offers the latest equipment, materials, tools, software, accessories, technology and expertise to complete each stage of construction with metal. Now in its 23rd year, METALCON remains the only annual event for every type of metal construction need.
The METALCON 2013 theme – EVOLVE – reflects how this major event and metal construction products have dramatically transformed the industry. This evolution includes creating new experiences each year for METALCON attendees to learn about companies, products and applications.
“METALCON always attracts the best and the brightest in the metal construction industry. They love what they do and want to learn more from each other. Even in this digital age exhibitors and attendees still rate face-to-face meetings as the most valuable form of doing business. This year there’s a new energy generated by several innovative start-ups and more international companies who recognize this is the only event of its kind in the world and where they need to exhibit. This combination expands the selection of products and expertise to elevate our attendees’ experience,” notes Claire Kilcoyne, METALCON Show Director.
This year’s METALCON takes place Tuesday through Thursday, October 1-3 at the Georgia World Congress Center, in downtown Atlanta. Some programs start on Monday, September 30.
METALCON is produced by Newton, MA-based PSMJ Resources Inc. and sponsored by the Metal Construction Association. Chicago-based MCA is an organization of leading manufacturers and suppliers. PSMJ is the world’s leading authority on the effective management of architecture, engineering and construction firms.
This one-of-a-kind event draws designers, builders, developers, contractors, fabricators, and suppliers from 52 countries. As METALCON returns to Atlanta for the fifth time, it offers new ways for these visitors to learn from industry experts about the latest products and how to use them. Experts from more than 250 exhibiting companies, including 41 new companies, will give attendees insight into new products, technologies, and efficient ways to grow their businesses. Attendees can capture all kinds of ideas as they roam the 200,000 square feet of product exhibits and attend the comprehensive multi-tiered conference program.
Industry specialists from the Metal Construction Association and other industry related associations present the latest applications and field techniques in live demonstrations in the exhibit hall. This learning experience is highlighted in a new interactive demonstration arena inside the exhibit hall called Metal in Action. It combines the best of MCA’S Residential and Commercial Roofing Demos, Solar Bay Live, and Tool Day. With plenty of seating, tables and bleachers, it serves as a touchdown for attendees to learn in a comfortable setting.
The Solar Bay Live portion offers a different keynote presentation each day that focuses on details of specific techniques used to install solar and metal combinations. It is an extension of Solar Bay, an area of the exhibit hall, now in its fifth year, that features products and education about the growing use of metal and solar technology. It shows the perfect combination of metal roofing with solar applications and is another method of highlighting metal’s role in the green building movement. To learn more about metal and the environment, visitors can also visit Green Island, a dedicated area of exhibits showing products that meet green building standards.
Metal in Action’s tools demo expands the reach of METALCON’s Tool Day from a single-day focus to a three-day bonus where participants can test the latest tools for use with metal every show day during exhibit hours.
As the industry evolves so does attendees’ knowledge base and what they want to learn at METALCON. Based on previous results, the 2013 conference program retains its successful 3-hour format tailored to specific disciplines. This set-up creates more in-depth learning opportunities and meets the need for more time to delve into important techniques and issues from the field.
Sessions run the gamut from the basics that are essential to working with metal through details of techniques for capturing more business and improving productivity. The basics are covered in two ever-popular programs: “Understanding Metal Roofing” with Rob Haddock and “STUD University for the Masses” led by Danny Feazell, Nader Elhajj and Maribeth Rizzuto. Understanding Metal Roofing has consistently been the top drawing session since it began at the first METALCON in 1991.
Architects, builders and contractors, engineers, building inspectors and building trade instructors can learn more about cold formed steel framing in STUD University, which focuses on the growing steel framing market and how to be part of it. This three-day program offers an easy-to-understand, yet comprehensive explanation of framing with cold-formed steel in classroom and hands-on sessions in the exhibit hall.
Complementing these traditional programs are sessions focused on how to use technology to run your business more efficiently, get better results from your marketing and, of course, generate more income.
In “Your Digital Tool Box,” Dan Dawes and David Barista simplify the options in electronic tools and how to apply them to your best advantage. They cover which are the best apps and how to use them in a variety of activities such as coordinating construction projects, managing business operations, and creating successful marketing programs. Dan is Senior Vice President of Digital Operations for Havas Discovery and David is editor-in-chief of Building Design + Construction print and online publications and manager of BDCnetwork.com and BDCuniversity.com.
In “Metal Roofing and Wall Systems – Selling the Benefits,” Scott Kriner and Brian Partyka talk about using technology in selling metal roof and wall systems. These metal experts and savvy environmentalists cover everything from current market size and opportunities to metal’s environmental benefits and how to use social media to find prospective customers. Brian Partyka is executive vice president of Business Development, Drexel Metals Inc. and Scott Kriner, LEED AP, is president of Green Metal Consulting Inc.
Technology for component manufacturers and roofers with metal shops is the highlight of “Rollforming Software to Substantially Increase Productivity in Trim Shops.” This fantastic new session is led by a team of experts: Geoff Stone and Bill Wilkins from MetalForming Inc. and Andrew Dugenske, of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Research Institute, who will introduce the latest IT tool, Georgia Tech’s GRMI Innovation Solutions Summary.
But it’s not all high tech. There’s a lot about people in a must-attend program called “Say Hello to Humor and Goodbye to Burnout!” with Jody Urquart. This entertaining, interactive session shows you how to handle the most challenging people and how humor can help you stay in control and positive in any business setting.
To maximize their METALCON experience attendees can download a mobile app from www.metalcon.com that allows them to chart their time by marking which exhibitors to see and education sessions to attend then load the plan into their mobile device. Those who also like face-to-face help are encouraged to stop by the METALCON booth #1937 to meet members of Team METALCON.
For more information visit www.metalcon.com or call 800-537-7765.
