Glass Build Atlanta 2021, From the Show Floor
In my last blog I asked the question “are trade shows worth it?” Well after spending the day at the Glass Build America show in Atlanta I can say yes. If for no other reason, then to see how well our industry is doing after what everyone has been through over the last year. The show has been well attended and the crowd seems excited and enthusiastic to be attending after being away for two years. Compared to past shows it seems like the companies attending have brought a lot of their staff with them. Many of these people told me they were attending for the first time.
I have also met many old friends that have been attending for years and heard a lot of stories about how innovative and creative they have been. Bill Daubmann from MY Shower Door told me how a group of shower door companies from around the country started getting together over Zoom just to talk and support each other. If you are on LinkedIn you certainly know what his son Keith has been up to.
At the Glazing Executives Forum I had a chance to sit in on a session discussing hiring issues, and how to retain good employees. The attendees all participated with how they have handled employees in the past and programs for recruiting they have found successful. It was great to see a group from the same industry sharing their experience with others in the same boat.
The National Glass Association has done a great job putting together a series of online training classes to help glass shops hire and train entry level glaziers with their MyGlassClass.com online training program. I was also proud to be present when my old boss was given an award for the donations and support the Friese Family Foundation has given to support these education classes to help train our entry level and future glazing executives.
Tomorrow I look forward to walking the show to see some of the new innovative products that many of our customers told me about today. I know I will hear many more optimistic stories from customers visiting our booth. Please stop by the FHC Booth 803 to say hello if you are in town.