Glass Expo Midwest 2010 to Feature Expanded Seminar Program

Glass Expo Midwest 2010, which is scheduled to take place March 16-17 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center located in Schaumburg, Ill., will feature an expanded seminar and education program that covers some of the most relevant topics for the entire architectural and auto glass industries.

Sessions included as part of the architectural track will cover subjects ranging from energy codes and LEED to building information modeling, as well as many others. Scheduled presentations are:

BIPV: Challenges and Opportunities for the Contract Glazier
Attendees can learn from experts who will discuss the benefits and challenges of BIPV as it relates to the contract glazing industry. One of the speakers is Russ Huffer, chief executive officer of Apogee Enterprises, whose company has spent millions researching this new technology and how it fits into a curtainwall system. Huffer will offer a no-nonsense look at BIPV and what he has learned after 20 years of research-and important issues of which the industry needs to be aware.

Energy Codes and LEED: Learn How to Benefit from Both
Tom Minnon, CSI, CDT, LEED AP and regional sales manager, will discuss green-the fad that became fact, which is now well rooted into everyone's minds. He will talk with attendees on how they can succeed in using these codes to benefit their businesses and their clients.

Proper Application of Shower Doors, Mirrors and More
Dan Kolthoff and Chris Miller of Rockford (More Than) Auto Glass will discuss the safe and proper way to install all glass shower doors, mirrors and more. Presenters will provide some of the top tricks of the trade to make this portion of the installation run smoothly. Attendees will also learn some of the pitfalls to avoid and how to tackle the job correctly the first time around.

Building Information Modeling
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a continuing trend for the contract glazing industry. Architects are using 3D modeling software to allow planners, designers, manufacturers, contractors, glazing subcontractors and owners to work from the same object-related database. Attendees can learn about where BIM is headed and exactly what it means for the glass industry (Speaker TBA).

Neat and Unique Projects
You know them when you see them … and then you wonder who did the job. Moderated by Ludek (Lou) Cerny of MTH Industries, attendees will hear how some of Chicago's amazing jobs came about and the masterminds behind them. They can also learn how their company, too, can attain such jobs-and perform future infamous unique projects that they can add to their business resume.

Economic Trends - Riding the Ebb and Flow
These days the economy is being monitored continually, so many glass manufacturers are taking these trends into consideration to plan their next steps wisely. Michael Collins of Jordan, Knauff and Co. will discuss what some companies are already doing and how others can also manage the tides effectively.

New to the 2010 schedule, the program will feature a special session for both the architectural and auto tracks. Marilyn Moats Kennedy, of Career Strategies and author of "Office Politics: Seizing Power/Wielding Clout," will help participants "Learn How to Manage All Ages - From Youth to Golden Agers." This session will educate attendees regarding the five age groups in the workplace, their traditional values and their differing views on the role of managers, employer/employee loyalty, and much more. Attendees will learn ways of communicating that deliver the same message in ways that each group understands and responds to. This special event will take place on March 16, from 1:30-3 p.m.