Top Glass organizers are excited to announce the show will take place live and in person April 20 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., Canada, after two years of online shows in 2020 and 2021. Maybe more exciting than going live again is the incredible lineup of presenters we have – the stars really aligned this year to bring out some big, recognizable names, including Tony Clement, Max Perilstein, David Heska and David Schwieterman. And don’t forget, Top Glass presentations are recognized as qualifying for continuing education credits by most professional organizations. Information about the show and online registration are available at topglasscanada.com.

Supply and Demand: Our Challenge in an Era of Entangled Global Supply Chains

Before the pandemic, our biggest concern was finding customers and making sales. Now, with the phone ringing off the hook, the difficulty is getting the supplies and equipment we need. This global crisis has laid bare the downside of depending on offshore suppliers for critical products but are our economies now irrevocably tied to the advantages of cheap labour, less regulation and scale of production that can be found overseas?

These are questions Tony Clement, former federal Industry Minister, grappled with directly. Today, his concern with the state of our supply chains has led him to co-found Reshoring Canada, an information and advocacy group exploring ways to bring manufacturing back home. Join us at Top Glass to collect Mr. Clement’s insights, prescriptions and predictions for how and where we’ll get our critical supplies going forward.

Good Ideas: Collected Strategies for Making our Businesses Better

Top Glass welcomes Max Perilstein, the North American glass industry's commentator and social influencer, to share stories from his hundreds of conversations with glazing professionals and some collected wisdom from a lifetime in the business. Put your hand up to chat with Max about what he’s hearing in his conversations with architectural glass professionals across North America. For many, Max is best known through his blog From the Fabricator, which was the first such industry piece of its kind. In 2021, Max launched a monthly podcast also named From the Fabricator, which features multiple guests from various segments of the glass and glazing world.

Future Considerations: Codes and Standards Update

The rules for designing, making and installing glass facades are constantly evolving and today’s need to drive energy efficiency forward has accelerated the process. David Heska, Director of Southwestern Ontario Building Sciences, is here to help with an expert look at recent changes to the National Building Code and the standards important to the architectural glazing industry. He’ll draw on his diverse experience and the deep well of knowledge at WSP Canada to not only explain the changes that are happening but share some insight into likely future directions.

Rise Up, Glazier Nation: Innovative solutions to today’s labour challenges

The struggle to find and retain skilled glass installers and fabrication workers is familiar within the architectural glass business. Increasingly, our old networks of trade schools, apprenticeship programs and recruiting struggle to meet the needs of our industry. Glazier Nation is a new recruiting, training and placement service for skilled commercial glaziers that has put hundreds of glaziers into the trade across North America.

As a partner in Glazier Nation, David Schwieterman (Global Construction Industries) has seen it all when it comes to skilled trades recruiting and has pioneered surprising tactics that are helping glass companies across the U.S. find the workers they need. Schwieterman will share his insights into the labour market and describe some of the services Glazier Nation will soon be offering Canadians.

About Top Glass

Top Glass is a presentation of Annex Business Media, publishers of Glass Canada magazine. It is a one-day event featuring four one-hour educational seminars. A show floor is also open throughout the day. The audience comprises glazing contractors, glass fabricators, architects and other commercial building professionals. Parking and attendance are free, thanks to event sponsors.

Will you be at Top Glass? Comment below to let us know!