GlassBuild 2024
Everything is bigger in Texas: Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, Dallas, Texas
GlassBuild at a Glance
- 500+ total exhibitors
- 207,400 square-foot show floor
- 9,000+ registered attendees
- 91 international exhibitors
- 73 first-time exhibitors
GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo, will return Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 in its biggest edition yet. And that big size is appropriate to the new locale: Dallas, Texas. The 500-plus exhibitors to the show will enjoy 207,400 square feet of space at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, as well as the new market and networking opportunities this new location promises. The size of the show, and the fact that its square footage has more than doubled throughout the past 12 years, is a testament to the glass and fenestration industries’ ability to grow amid the difficult economic landscape of the past few years.
Excitement builds for Dallas
The show’s new location in Dallas offers new opportunities for both exhibitors and attendees. “I’m excited about GlassBuild being held in Dallas this year after many years of rotation between Las Vegas and Atlanta,” says Ron Crowl, NGA board chair and senior advisor, windows, doors and glass at Cyncly. “It’s a gentle reminder that all of us should be open to new ideas and changes. Not only do we collectively have an opportunity to see what’s new in the industry and catch up with industry peers and friends, but we can also explore a new city.”
“Choosing a new venue, and specifically Dallas, is a direct response to feedback from our exhibitors and attendees, and we’re planning an event that is invaluable to everyone,” says Nicole Harris, president and CEO, National Glass Association.
Many exhibitors already see value in the new location ahead of the 2024 show. “Dallas is a vibrant city with a growing market for our industry, which we believe will attract a diverse and enthusiastic audience,” says Ed Robles, vice president of sales, HHH Equipment Resources and Salem Fabrication Supplies. “The city’s central location and excellent transport links also make it convenient for attendees from all over the country. Moreover, Dallas offers a wealth of networking and business development possibilities due to its dynamic economy and large concentration of related industries.”
“The city’s strong economic growth and investment in construction and infrastructure projects provide a promising backdrop for discussions on the future of the glass, window and door industry,” says Chris Kammer, sales and marketing coordinator, A+W Software. “It’s important for our industry to be present in different regions throughout the country so that we’re exposed to new ideas, as well as challenges that help us improve our products and services,” says Crista Tekstra, vice president of brand and product marketing at C.R. Laurence.
2024 GlassBuild exhibitors also commented about the continued importance of face-to-face networking for staying up to date with the latest trends in glass and fenestration. “The most important aspect of GlassBuild, and what keeps us coming back year after year, is the incredible engagement and networking opportunities with our customers and industry partners,” says Alan Kinder, director, commercial segment and technical services, Guardian Glass North America.
“We are eager to explore new industry trends in sustainability, energy efficiency and digital integration that could shape the future of building materials and construction,” says Greg Koch, vice president of sales and marketing, Deceuninck North America. “GlassBuild provides an excellent opportunity to stay on the leading edge of industry developments, collaborate with industry leaders and drive innovation forward.”
In-person shows also continue to have unique benefits for sales. “With the complexity and price of machinery increasing, the need to see the machinery running and performing in the ‘show’ environment is a huge benefit to engage potential customers,” says Brian Ludwig, sales manager, Erdman Automation. “It also showcases the ability of our service and install teams to potential customers when they see a fully functioning line up and running in short order for the show.”
Find education and solutions
In addition to catching up with customers, booth visitors and potential leads, attendees and exhibitors can also find industry insights, education and more on the GlassBuild show floor.
Tailored solutions at the Industry Pavilion
The Industry Pavilion, Booth #17009, is where you’ll find the association sponsors of GlassBuild, the National Glass Association, and the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance, offering up the solutions their members need.
Beyond its impressive advocacy and technical knowledge on all things glass, NGA provides education opportunities for the current and future workforce through MyGlassClass.com—a collection of three different training paths for glass installers, fabricator personnel and glazier apprentices. NGA will feature the MyGlassClass.com Learning Lab in the Industry Pavilion during GlassBuild to give interactive demos on its course offerings.
FGIA is dedicated to improving home and building performance through better glass, window, door and skylight technology and standards to help their members excel. FGIA is an inclusive community offering the glass and fenestration industry solutions through research, consensus-based standards, product certification, advocacy, and education and professional development.
Education, expertise and networking
Industry members will also find insights and solutions for their most pressing problems in the slate of programming of this year’s GlassBuild.
Glazing Executives Forum
The NGA’s Glazing Executives Forum is back at GlassBuild for the 18th year. The one-day conference is the premier event for glazing contractors of all sizes to learn, network and tackle industry challenges. The Glazing Executives Forum will be held Monday, Sept. 30. Separate registration is required, at glassbuildamerica.com/registration.
Highlights for this year’s events include:
Business Management for Glaziers. This year’s Glazing Executives Forum offers general sessions on risk management, estimating best practices, and using technology for better marketing and recruitment.
Exclusive Construction Forecast. Glazing Executives Forum attendees will have exclusive access to the full construction forecast from keynote speaker Connor Lokar, senior forecaster for ITR Economics.
New Workshop Tracks. For the first time, the Glazing Executives Forum will offer workshop tracks that allow attendees to split into smaller groups to meet and converse directly with experts in the field about specific industry topics: AI at Your Glazing Company, Shower Enclosures Solutions Share, and Effective Recruitment Strategies.
Main Stage
Another can’t-miss at GlassBuild America 2024 is the GlassBuild Main Stage, centrally located on the trade show floor in Booth #19009. Main Stage sessions are open to all GlassBuild America attendees. Programming is presented by NGA and sponsored by NGA’s MyGlassClass.com, Glass Magazine and Window + Door. Highlights from the Main Stage:
Blueprint for Collaboration. The NGA’s successful initiative to bring glass and glazing education directly to architects comes to GlassBuild on Sept. 30. Architects are invited to the show floor for a day of AIA-accredited programming, including a keynote Lunch and Learn.
Workforce Development Day. Oct. 1 at the Main Stage addresses companies’ biggest challenge: labor—specifically finding, training, keeping and protecting employees. Main Stage content will provide business owners with take-home strategies to address the ongoing workforce hurdles.
Gathering place. Once again, the Main Stage will be a place for industry to come together to network and connect. Opportunities include the third annual Women in Glass + Fenestration Keynote and Networking Breakfast taking place on Oct. 2, and the Glass Magazine Awards reception.
Notable keynotes. The Main Stage will host must-attend talks, including the annual construction forecast from Connor Lokar, senior forecaster for ITR Economics, and a session on building the next generation from Emily Pilloton-Lam, designer, builder, educator and author, and founder and executive director of the nonprofit Girls Garage.
Adjacent to the Main Stage will be the first-ever GlassBuild Podcast Studio, where episodes of NGA’s Glass Cast and Window Cast podcasts will be recorded throughout the show.
Live certification testing
In addition to all the Main Stage education, live certification testing will take place on the show floor at this year’s GlassBuild. For the first time, the Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council will host its hands-on certification testing program for experienced glazing supervisors and technicians at GlassBuild. The event underscores the association’s ongoing commitment to producing a trained and skilled workforce for the glass industry.
Stay for the “magical” after-party
Next year’s GlassBuild America will be hosted at another new location—Orlando. To capture the excitement of this new location and market, NGA will host The Magic of Glass After-Party at the end of this year’s show, featuring golf simulation and a virtual reality plank walk, along with Southern-inspired food and beverages.
