GBA is Starting and it’s a Big One
I landed in Orlando on Sunday afternoon on my way to GlassBuild America 2025. People were telling me that the airlines were running slowly and to expect some delays. However, my flight was right on time, and the only surprise was how dark it was at 5:30 p.m. This is by far the latest in the year the show is being held.
Monday was set-up day, and the first thing I noticed was how many vendors were in attendance this year. If you are attending the show, leave some extra time to walk the floor. The show is big, especially the machinery section. Whatever you are looking for, I am sure it will be somewhere on the show floor.
Many attendees, I have noticed over the years, walk around like they are in a trance. Staring through the booths, not at them. While you’re at the show, stop for a minute in front of each booth and make sure you know what they are selling. Often, signage and marketing are more for looks than helping you to understand the company’s real message.
The first thing I like to do at most booths is ask them, What’s new? Companies may look like they are selling the same commodities, extrusions, sealants, hardware, etc. However, you often find that most companies are introducing something new that they have added this year.
Be sure to also take your time; you may be surprised by what you find on the second walk-through that you missed on the first. Grab a bag from your favorite booth to carry your literature or your pen collection, which you pick up around the show. Also, don’t forget to leave a business card or get scanned in the booths you are interested in. That’s because by the time you get back home, you won’t remember half the items you were interested in. This way, the company will remind you with a follow-up if they are smart.
Once home, don’t just throw your bag of literature in a drawer. Spend the time while the show is still fresh in your mind to at least sort the literature into piles and figure out who you want to follow up with, discard or save for future reference.
One final note, don’t forget to pick up a show book on your way in. I always save them as a reference tool. Sometime during the year, I will remember something I saw at the show that can help solve some problems. With the show book on the shelf, you can look up the company, find their location, phone, etc.
I hope to see you at the show. Please stop by the FHC’s booth at 14022 and say hello and ask us what’s new.