The International Codes Council (ICC) Group A Committee Action Hearings (CAH) now underway are making history - not because of the proposals themselves but instead because these hearings are taking place virtually, due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.Code Hearings in a Virtual WorldHow exactly do building code hearings take place online? Through the wonders of technology, participants are able to virtually testify for or against building code changes or proposed modifications to them in ICC’s Group A cycle via Zoom rooms.Some of ICC’s committee members...

In 2021, most companies already know the value of social media for their business. Having a robust social media presence is key to furthering awareness of your brand, gaining customer leads and getting more clicks to your website. But as social media platforms change, so do their features. There are tools specific to Instagram Business accounts that you probably already have available to you, whether you know about them or not. Plus, here are some examples for how to apply them.Tool 1: Get Your Website...

One of the important tips for Window Safety Week recognizes the use of proper hardware to limit window openings. When it comes to window hardware, it can sometimes be confusing to distinguish between which type of hardware is required for a given application or opening. For example, night latches and vent limiters may sometimes be confused with window opening control devices (WOCDs). But even though they may look or seem similar, they serve distinctly different purposes. When it comes to safety, it’s essential to make...

The Ontario Glass and Metal Association (OGMA) used to have a regular get-together at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Having no idea of the difference between a good horse and a bad one, I never bet much but I did usually go for the chance to have a beverage with my friends in the glass business. And as so often happens over a beverage, a great idea came up. This was in 2012, so I was still fairly new to the industry. I was chatting with...

It’s been a year since the world stopped in its tracks, and if you’re like me, you’re tired. Tired of social distancing. Tired of mask wearing. Tired of missing loved ones. Just tired. Special shout-out to all you tired parents out there! When it’s acceptable to do so, let’s all get together for the world’s largest high five. We are parenting during a pandemic, and it’s exhausting. So exhausting. As a parenting researcher put it when describing parents’ roles right now, “There’s just a lot...

It’s March, which means it has now been nearly a full year since the pandemic began, keeping us mostly indoors, including me and my family. As spring arrives, it is even more important than ever to keep an eye on open windows since we are at home so much of the time. As we all know, open windows can be dangerous for young children who are not properly supervised. Fortunately, the Window Safety Task Force shares resources and tips each spring to commemorate Window Safety...

As FGIA’s executive director, I have a lot of responsibilities, but limited time. After more than 20 years of experience in the industry, the last several of which have been in executive roles, I have learned a lot about leadership. With the online FGIA Leadership Development Program currently open for enrollment, I’ve been thinking about leadership lately and have settled on five traits that I’ve observed in great leaders and that I believe can go a long way to making sure your team is...

During next week’s FGIA Virtual Annual Conference, we will gather (remotely) to engage with speakers and learn from presentations on several important industry topics. Of equal import, we will also take the time to recognize our leadership during the Virtual Annual Awards Ceremony. This ceremony is a time to reflect on the members who make our Association as efficient as it is, and to honor their hard work. Those who take on leadership roles often do so in addition to their regular work assignments with...

The FGIA Virtual Annual Conference is just around the corner! It is taking place February 23-25, and early bird registration is available through February 10. FGIA Marketing will be live-tweeting sessions throughout the conference on our Twitter account, and we would love for those attending to join the conversation. Follow the hashtag #FGIAconf and use it in your own posts about the event. We will be sharing your posts with our followers and tweeting highlights from speakers. As a reminder, you don’t need a Twitter...

We at FGIA are thrilled to announce the opening of registration for the 2021 FGIA Virtual Annual Conference, which will be held February 23-25. This three-day industry event can be attended from anywhere, with breaks built in to accommodate a range of time zones. Plus, an upgrade option is available for those companies who seek multiple registrations from different locations. Let’s get into some of the highlights for this much-anticipated fenestration and glass event.First off: Back by popular demand, economic analyst Dr. Chris Kuehl will...