Green Greetings from Chaos

If you could see my desk this week you would begin to get some idea of just how much paper this publishing company can go through putting together a single issue of USGlass. In the four days that I’ve been back in the office since the end of Glass Week and the BEC Conference, I’ve managed to carpet my office and plaster my desk with discarded notes and edited papers, manila folders and silver paper clips camouflaged against the carpet. Folks, it is not a pretty sight.

As I’m more of a neat freak than this image conveys, my skin crawled for a minute this morning as I sunk into my chair (once I could find it), but within seconds I was caught up with the work at hand. It’s amazing how easy it is to spend the few minutes set aside for carting papers to the recycling center instead finishing one more email; to finally give in and replace the burnt bulb with a cheap light bulb in the storage closet rather than taking the time to pick out a few energy-efficient bulbs during the next lunch break.

I’ve always made an effort to reuse the manila folders until they disintegrate, and aim to print on both sides of each sheet of paper before discarding it, but up until a few weeks ago our office’s efforts at recycling wasn’t a priority. However, like many of the companies that we write about, Key Communications is pushing its employees to go greener. At a recent staff meeting, Key’s vice president of business development, Tara Taffera, put on another hat, that of Green Officer. Like many of us, Tara has gone green at home, but now she’s helping to remind us all of ways we can be more environmentally responsible at work as well—like taking those twice-used papers and sticking them in a box to be carted weekly to a nearby recycling drop-off location rather in than the conveniently located circular file.

Let’s face it, green is no longer a trend, it’s an economical approach to making the world a better place. It’s become not only an accepted way to do business but a priority for many companies—as was evident during the recent Glass Association of North America (GANA) sponsored events mentioned above.

For example, during the Glass Week Decorative Division meeting, GANA technical director Greg Carney encouraged all of the association’s divisions to focus on ways to contribute to green and LEED research. “If you have resources focused on this, share them,” he told the members. The decorative division agreed to form a task group on this topic.

The Building Envelope Contractors Division heard the plea. They agreed to develop a green construction task force as well.

“Daylighting is one of the biggest things out there and a lot of people don’t have a clue,” noted chairperson Max Perilstein.

Likewise, the Flat Glass Manufacturing Division explored the possibility of creating a climate change committee, a suggestion that grew into a green committee that would examine climate change among other factors.

As GANA executive vice president Bill Yanek pointed out during that division’s meeting, now is a prime time to start aiming to affect green legislation. “You’re going to have new administration, new Congress, new legislation,” Yanek said. “If you don’t act soon, you’re going to leave the playing field and you might have to live with what comes out of Washington.”

True enough. I’ve mentioned in this blog before the energy-related legislation coming out of Washington. Look out for the magazine’s March issue and its energy-focused article for more on that, and why what we now consider green may soon just be the way it is.

The Real Place to be in Las Vegas

When you open your speech with the words “This isn’t going to end up on a blog somewhere is it?” you’re asking for trouble.

Just kidding, Max.

In truth, as entertaining as it was to see Max Perilstein, chair of the Glass Association of North America’s (GANA) Building Envelope Contractor’s (BEC) division hit the stage during this morning’s opening session of the BEC Conference with Ms. Rio in tow (headdress, sequins and all), it hasn’t been the (only) highlight of the conference thus far.

I’ve been here at the Rio in Las Vegas since Wednesday covering GANA’s Glass Week. While I learned a great deal following the technical discussions during the various division meetings, I was wowed during last night’s BEC opening reception when it seemed that all of the conference’s more than 700 registrants were in attendance.

Although my first BEC, I’ve been told that the large number of attendants is just a continuation of the tremendous growth this conference has seen. And last night it seemed fairly evident that the glazing contractors now here in Vegas know full well the important networking opportunities this event offers, as the conversations that began at the reception continued long into the night (or so I hear).

More impressive, it seems those same attendants are aware of the usefulness of today’s full schedule of seminars, as the room has been packed through this morning’s sessions (Check out http://www.usgnn.com/ to read more about those sessions).

Glass Week had its own definite networking opportunities. On Friday night that conference’s attendants came together for a formal dinner and the presentation of a number of awards. In particular, Stan Smith, GANA executive director, was called repeatedly to the stage in recognition of his upcoming retirement. While pulled in many directions during this busy week, Stan has agreed to spend a few minutes later this week sharing with us at USGNN.com a few reflections on his time at GANA and his plans for his retirement ahead.

Incoming executive director Bill Yanek was also honored—as much for the time he has devoted thus far to the association as for his birthday, which he was celebrating on Friday (Ms. Rio helped add to the festivities with a cake and candles while GANA members chipped in with a close-to-on-tune rendition of Happy Birthday).

Bill Coddington of W.S. Coddington Consulting was brought to the stage with a presentation of a GANA Honorary Membership due to his contributions to the industry and association (for more on Bill's contributions, CLICK HERE). After this week, with all that has been accomplished during Glass Week meetings (check out USGNN and the April issue of USGlass for full details about that) the value of this lifetime membership was clear.

I’ll be here in Vegas through tomorrow afternoon, so please stop by and say hello—or send me an email on how you can get more information about next year’s conference.

A Full Glass Week Approaches

In addition to finishing up work on the March USGlass Book of Lists (email me here if you still need information on submitting a form), I’ve been working on another list of sorts: my packing list. As I’m sure many of you are as well, I’m eagerly heading toward warmer weather this week for the upcoming Glass Week and Building Envelope Contractors (BEC) conferences, February 13-19, sponsored by the Glass Association of North America (GANA).

It’s going to be a long, busy week out in Las Vegas. While this will be my first year in attendance at BEC—an event I’m much looking forward to, as I’ve been speaking with a number of glazing contractors lately regarding their spots in the Book of Lists—I have some experience regarding Glass Week. One thing I recall from last year’s event is that I wasn’t the only newcomer. Last year marked the first meeting of the Fire-Rated Glazing Council, chaired by Jerry Razwick of Technical Glass Products. The council had set its sights on becoming a forum for communications on fire-rated glazing issues; developing technical resources for industry and design professionals; supporting the development, enhancement and maintenance of product standards and codes; and providing consensus on industry positions on fire-rated glazing issues to improve the knowledge and effectiveness of organizations and agencies interested in fire-rated glazing and fire-rated glazing code provisions.

Last year was also a first meeting for the Decorative Glass Division under elected chair Kris Vockler of ICD High Performance Coatings.

As I recall, last year’s Glass Week featured a presentation from Rachel Long of Hospitality Design magazine on decorative trends regarding glass. Her slide presentation was filled with images demonstrating high contrast between materials, such as a mix of textures and colors; chameleon materials; and the trend toward building green, with examples of how glass can let natural light into a space. Now I’m sure we’ve all noticed by now that the green “trend” has hardly slowed this year, but I’ll be interested to learn what this GANA division has to say about decorative glass trends and how they’ve changed or picked up steam in the last year.

Now, with a year of work under their belts, I’m looking forward to hearing the updates from these two groups, in addition to the latest news from the more seasoned GANA divisions.

CLICK HERE to read more about last year’s Glass Week conference. Otherwise be sure to stay tuned to USGNN.com™ for daily updates from this year’s event—whether you make it to Las Vegas or not!

Sun and Sand or Desk and Mouse?

Last Monday I traveled down to Sanibel Island, Fla., to report on the 8th annual conference of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA). The weather on the 12-mile long island, famous for its beaches filled with unique shells, reached the low 80s before I left. Yes, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.

I’m sure that the sunny shores of Florida (in January, no less) are a great temptation to members of any association—or the industry at large—to participate in industry meetings. But for those individuals who haven’t found an opportunity to get involved—why not?

The IGMA Certification and Education committee asked a similar question during last week’s meeting. The group questioned how to best provide its educational seminars to individuals who haven’t yet taken part (CLICK HERE to read that story). Specifically, the committee considered whether it should offer its Preventing Insulating Glass Failure seminar (and an upcoming seminar on IG quality procedures) at industry trade shows in the future, or reserve it for online use where interested individuals could access it at their leisure.

Certainly the use of online webinars, and even “virtual expos,” are greatly increasing. These educational tools offer the benefit of being able to take part from the comfort of one’s own chair (many even feature virtual “hands” you can raise to ask questions during a presentation). I’ve listened in on many a webinar to bring an afternoon of education to our readers.

However, it can be argued that webinars are lacking in one important feature—networking opportunities such as those gained during coffee breaks, group dinners and the occasional volleyball tournament. Of course, in this day and age where individuals can search for their soul mate online, email networking isn’t entirely impossible …

Another possibility suggested by the committee was offering its seminars in those metropolitan areas where large numbers of the target audience reside. Again, it increases the convenience level, but it may leave out many other people who might still resist travel but are otherwise interested.

Both are good options sure to draw new participants, as we’ve learned here.

The USGlass/USGNN.com™ online message forum aims to build relationships and networking via the web. It’s one place where individuals in the industry can turn to ask questions as they arise, getting answers not only from our online editors but also from their colleagues in the industry.

If you are in fact looking for educational opportunities to come to you, and bringing the networking opportunities that entails, consider the regional Glass Expos sponsored by USGlass magazine. Our March issue will feature a preview of the upcoming Glass TEXpo™ ‘08 to be held April 10-12 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. More information about the upcoming expos can be found HERE.

Where do you turn for your continued education? Whatever method you choose, I hope USGlass plays a part.