Our team is heading to Atlanta soon for the return of GlassBuild - the largest annual gathering place for glass, window and door industries in the Americas. Who knew that when we stepped off the trade show floor in 2019 that it would be two years before we’d step back into those halls? But, as NGA President and CEO Nicole Harris said in her Ask Me Anything session about GlassBuild last week, “The show is on!” We’re back to business and back to GlassBuild, but what can you expect from this year’s show? Safety as a top priority and industry collaboration, lots of industry collaboration!

Safety Protocols

First, masks will be required on trade show floor. On July 28, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the city is reinstating mask requirements indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Additionally, the National Glass Association (NGA), as the show organizer, has provided information about safety protocols in the FAQs on the GlassBuild website. These include but are not limited to:

• Using open booth designs to limit groups congregating in one particular area.
• Cleaning machines and other high touch surfaces multiple times throughout the day.
• Providing extra masks and hand sanitizer at check-in and in booths.
• Directing traffic in one direction to encourage social distancing.
• Adding green and yellow dots on badges to indicate comfort level for physical interaction.
• Removing aisle carpeting for cleanliness and budget (similar to European shows).
• Ensuring rapid testing is available on-site (appointments may be booked online).
• Providing meeting pods for private conversations, reserved via a sign-up sheet.

Though vaccines are not required, NGA is strongly encouraging them. And, both NGA and FGIA staff who will be at the event are fully vaccinated. We will also be reducing touch points in the booth, including QR codes in place of sell sheets…and no ping pong table this year. Sorry, everyone, but hopefully, this beautiful masterpiece of glass will make its return in future years.

Collaboration is Key

The Industry Pavilion, where both FGIA and NGA exhibit at the show, will showcase even more industry organizations that range in size and focus. Harris said, the Pavilion will “open our umbrella even bigger – [with] 20 organizations represented.” Collaboration is key, and the organizations will be representing a united front. “We’re all in this together,” she noted. It’s important to all of the industry organizations to show solidarity. Collectively, we want to serve as resources for the fenestration and glazing industry during these challenging times.

Another first for the Industry Pavilion is GlassBuild TV, which will stream video during the show. All of the industry organizations will be contributing information to showcase what each has to offer. FGIA plans to feature its education offerings (including FenestrationMasters^® coursework and the popular Insulating Glass Fabricators Workshop), member benefits and more. These videos will also be available via YouTube.

Stop by the Industry Pavilion (booth 3625) to experience all that the industry has to offer! And, don’t forget to say “Hello!” to our team. We can’t wait to see your smiling face in Atlanta, even if it’s hidden behind a mask.