Attending GlassBuild, or Still Deciding?

Over the years, I have attended more trade shows than I care to count as an exhibitor and attendee. In a few weeks, a lot of you will be heading to GlassBuild America 2026 in Las Vegas. Others are still trying to decide if it will be worth attending or who to bring. Whether you are attending as a customer or as an exhibitor, you will all be asking the same question. Is it worth my time and the expense?

If you do intend to go, understand that planning is essential. This will keep travel costs down. If you intend to exhibit, you must set goals: What products are you going to highlight?  Do you have a message that you want to communicate? Have you set up a meeting with the staff to discuss the show plan?

I have always used the show as an opportunity to train with the staff. Review all the products on display and make sure everyone knows their features, advantages and benefits. You may want to write out the talking points to review with everyone. Make sure that your staff has taken the time to review the literature that you are handing out so they can explain it to customers.

Make the Most of Your Time

I have found that it is a good idea to assign someone to walk the show, check on competitors and look for new products and ideas. Attendees will be seeking the next great product or industry trend, education, new suppliers or just to build better relationships with current ones. All important reasons to attend the show, but none that can quantify the expenses.

As you can tell, I believe it is important to attend trade shows. Looking back over the years, I don’t know of a show where I could put a spreadsheet together that showed the immediate impact of attending. However, I can look back and identify many critical relationships, products and suppliers that changed our business forever that would never have happened if we hadn’t attended.

The Value Goes Beyond the Show

Companies are busy, but supply chains are still changing, and prices continue to increase. GlassBuild will offer opportunities to enhance your supply base and give you confidence to expand suppliers. I know there will be many new and innovative products that companies have been developing over the last year that could change your business forever.

The most important reason to attend is to strengthen your relationships with customers and vendors, who are the people that keep us all in business. Start by thanking them. Of course, remember to keep your eyes open for that product or trend that you will one day look back on and appreciate how it affected your business.

I hope to see you at the show. Stop by the Frameless Hardware Company exhibit at booth 3135 and say hello.