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METALCON International Draws Qualified Buyers and Eager Learners
Newton, MA, October 12, 2005 – Variety was the key word at the 15th annual METALCON International held October 4-6, 2005. The international trade show and conference for those who design and build with metal drew more than 6,500 buyers from more than 40 countries. It filled 70,000 square feet of space with the latest products and equipment at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
This mix of products, demonstrations of new field techniques and educational opportunities filled the needs of architects, contractors, specifiers and municipal officials who came to learn and to buy. Show Director Claire Kilcoyne explains: “When we started METALCON 15 years ago, a small percent of architects and builders understood the value and beauty of metal. Now metal is the most sought after building material because it’s durable, recyclable and has unlimited design possibilities. That draws a greater variety of people wanting to know more about metal and how to use it and a broader spectrum of exhibitors to this event.”
The vibrant show offers a mix of colorful roof and wall panel systems, steel framing systems, ornamental and decorative metals, fasteners, green building products, tools and accessories, safety equipment, huge fabricating equipment, onsite roll formers and software for design, specification and project management.
The value of the show to the industry and the quality of its attendees brings exhibitors back each year, according to Paula Parker, METALCON Sales Manager. “We have a 25 percent increase in the gross square feet of exhibit space reserved for 2006. We’re at 651 booths reserved right out of the gate for 2006 with 12 months to go.”
This volume of exhibitors signing up for 2006 and action on the floor confirms the steady flow of qualified visitors. Booths like that of Denton, TX-based NUCONSTEEL drew lots of activity as the company demonstrated the quick set up of its NUPANEL pre-engineered, pre-fabricated wall panel system and its NUTRUSS fully engineered, integrated truss system.
On the other side of the show floor, John Butts, president of Colorado Springs-based JFBA Inc., a supplier of steel truss design and estimating software, was also busy. “These were serious buyers. We had a few less leads than last year, but this year they were ready to buy and we stayed busy through the last day of the show,” he said.
Just down the aisle, Comeq Inc., a White Marsh, MD-based metal fabrication machinery distributor was exhibiting the GEKA Hydracrop Ironworker series. According to salesman Don Letourneau, “We got a lot of business at this show. Our leads are always high quality in Chicago.”
Other exhibitors, such as Robert Ruff of the Architectural Division of K& R/Christopher echo that enthusiasm. “Every year gets better at METALCON. People seek us out at this show and we do a lot of relationship building here. This year our leads doubled,” he said. The Elgin, IL-based company provides products and services related to refurbishing metal on buildings.
METALCON visitors had many opportunities to learn about metal from these product specialist as well as industry experts presenting education sessions and conducting the daily Metal Construction Association (MCA) Mega Demos. The live demos featured field techniques for residential and commercial roofing and wall panel applications, including the use of copper, zinc and stainless steel.
The expanded, 38-session education program featured 21 new topics and speakers, a track on green building and a keynote address by Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and President of the U.S. Green Building Council. Interest in steel framing continues to grow, with nine sessions covering the topic and the popular STUD University steel framing program held for the third consecutive year.
STUD U, offered by the Steel Framing Alliance only at METALCON, combines classroom and hands-on training into a three-day intensive learning experience. STUD U students and instructors built METALCON’s steel structure in inside the exhibit hall. A dozen contractors from the Gulf Coast states attended STUD U this year to learn about steel framing, which is considered the material of choice for rebuilding structures in their home states.
The steel structure built by STUD U students showed visitors the latest in steel framing and was particularly interesting to 35 students from the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentice and Training Program, and 110 technology students from several Chicago Public Schools who toured METALCON. After the show, materials from the steel structure were donated to Dunbar Career Academy in Chicago to be used to teach students about applications for metal in construction.
To mark METALCON’s 15th Anniversary all paid attendees had a chance to win cash in a $15,000 giveaway during the three-day event. Winners of the daily $5,000 drawing were: Phillip Colombo, Ballinger, TX; Thomas Warner, Lindstrom, MN; and Melissa Baker, Whitney Point, NY.
METALCON is sponsored by the Metal Construction Association, and more than 45 related associations and publications promote the event. METALCON is produced by Newton, MA-based PSMJ Resources, Inc., a leading provider of education and management consulting to the international design industry.
The next METALCON International will be held at the Tampa (Florida) Convention Center, October 3-5, 2006. For more information visit www.metalcon.com or call 800-537-7765 or 617-965-0055.
Media Contact:
Marge O’Connor
Tel: 630-539-1347
tmcresources@sbcglobal.net
