GlassBuild America 2025
The future of glass and fenestration is built here
GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo, the biggest glass industry trade show in North America, will welcome 550 exhibitors Nov. 4-6 in Orlando, Florida, this year. Housed in the South-North Exhibit halls of the Orange County Convention Center, visitors will be able to peruse hundreds of products in over 230,000 square feet of space.
GlassBuild at a Glance
- 550 total exhibitors
- 231,400 square-foot show floor
- 145 international exhibitors
- 97 first-time exhibitors
A New Location for GlassBuild, and a New President and CEO for the National Glass Association
As exhibitors and attendees gear up for the new location in Orlando, Lakisha A. Woods, the new president and CEO of the National Glass Association, is also looking forward to seeing her first GlassBuild. “I’m really eager to get my feet on the ground, walk the aisles and meet our customers and attendees and hear what they think,” says Woods in an interview with Katy Devlin, vice president of content and programming for the NGA.
Other industry leaders are looking to leverage the new location to find a new market or to connect with existing customers more easily.
“The Florida market is massive, and I’m looking forward to meeting local companies that haven’t made the traditional pilgrimage to Atlanta or Vegas,” says Andrew Haring, chief marketing officer, FHC Frameless Hardware Co.
“We’re especially excited about Orlando. It’s a fresh location and puts us closer to a lot of our Southeast-based customers,” says Sam Frankland, sales and marketing manager, Smart Glazier Software.
“Last year’s event in Dallas brought renewed energy and drew attendees who may not typically have traveled to Las Vegas or Atlanta. With this year’s show in Orlando, we see an excellent opportunity to build on that momentum and engage with an even broader audience in this growing region,” says Brad Thurman, vice president of sales and marketing, GGI.
Tariff, supply chain and labor issues remain top of mind
Leading companies report that customers are currently facing a complicated economic landscape, made more difficult by perennial issues like the labor shortage, and the more recent difficulties caused by tariffs.
“I still see the global impact of supplies and materials, as well as the downstream impact of tariffs—aluminum in particular—being the biggest challenge for the market and our customers,” says Sandro Cestaro, CEO, Emmegi.
“Labor shortages, tighter margins and general economic pressure are making it harder to do more with less,” says Smart Glazier’s Frankland.
“It’s tough finding good people and there’s been a real loss of knowledge recently as some of the older workforce retires and companies are scrambling to find worthy replacements,” says Nate Huffman, regional sales manager, North America East, LiteSentry.
Some recommend diversifying supply chains to mitigate this uncertainty. “Don’t keep all your eggs in one supplier basket because availability, pricing and lead times can be dicey; don’t be afraid to enter new markets and project types,” says FHC’s Haring.
Plan ahead to find solutions on the show floor
Industry players will offer new products, innovations and insights at GlassBuild to tackle these very challenges. Industry leaders offered their advice for getting the most out of GlassBuild this year.
“Challenge yourself to bring back at least three product/service/supplier solutions to share with the rest of your company. Not everyone gets to attend and discover—they shouldn’t have to miss out entirely,” says FHC’s Haring.
“Capture key contacts, schedule postshow demos and review insights as a team afterward to take advantage of what you have seen and learned,” says Dan Reinhart, CEO, Salem Fabrication Technologies Group.
Networking remains a major draw for many. “Some of the most impactful conversations happen outside the exhibit hall, so it’s important to take full advantage of all that the event has to offer,” says GGI’s Thurman.
Building the Future Workforce
The National Glass Association remains committed to developing the resources and opportunities for glass and fenestration industry companies to find and train a skilled workforce. This year, the association is excited to present the new GlassBuild Skills Challenge, which provides a space on the show floor for attendees to test their skills, learn tips from industry experts, network with peers and win prizes. Open to all during show hours Nov. 4-5, this event is designed to celebrate the unique talents of the glass and glazing industry.
The Shower Design Challenge will test glaziers’ ability to properly measure and design frameless shower enclosures. Participants will measure openings and identify common installation mistakes, as well as learn from shower experts how to reduce errors. Participants will be entered in daily drawings for tool prizes, courtesy of MyGlassClass.com.
The “Are You AGMT Ready?” Challenge will test glaziers’ sealant knowledge and application skills, in addition to their ability to spot installation errors in a curtain wall mockup. Attendees can stop by Booth #21135 to show off their skills, learn more about Architectural Glass & Metal Technician certification, and win prizes.
Glass fabricator personnel will have the opportunity to participate in the IG Fabrication Challenge, hosted by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance. Modeled after the IG Fabricators Workshop, which addresses best practices for fabricating and testing insulating glass units, the challenge will focus on ensuring proper sealant mix and identifying flaws in insulating glass units. Attendees will be eligible to win a Free Fundamentals of Insulating Glass online education package.
Innovation from Every Angle
Beyond finding solutions on the show floor, attendees and exhibitors can once again enjoy insights for every segment of the industry at GlassBuild. From Main Stage programming and podcast interviews, to a new and exciting on-the-floor live skills challenge, GlassBuild 2025 is the place to find new ideas for your business.
Get educated at the Main Stage
The GlassBuild America Main Stage will host three days of industry insights, networking and industry celebration, conveniently located on the show floor at Booth #27108. Open to all attendees, this dynamic hub is presented by the National Glass Association and sponsored by MyGlassClass.com, Glass Magazine and Window + Door. Programming spans the full spectrum of the glass and fenestration industry, with sessions for glaziers, fabricators, suppliers, architects and more.
Preview some standout sessions below and check out the full schedule on for up-to-date programming.
Blueprint for Collaboration Breakfast: Celebrate the 2025 Glass Magazine Awards | Nov. 4. All are welcome to celebrate the 2025 Glass Magazine Award winners during a breakfast and award presentation at the GlassBuild Main Stage. As part of the Blueprint for Collaboration program for architects, the award presentation will offer insights on the projects and products that push the envelope of what glass and glazing can do. Hear about the glass and glazing innovations that provide performance and aesthetic solutions required by architects and owners. Meet the project team winners and see what’s possible with glass.
Industry Forecast | Nov. 4. Get expert insights on market trends and economic outlooks from Connor Lokar of ITR Economics.
People + Profits | Nov. 4–5. Learn how to build safer, more profitable businesses with actionable strategies tailored to today’s challenges.
Family Business Breakfast | Nov. 5. Family businesses come together for a networking breakfast followed by a special Main Stage session about exit planning and succession in family-run companies from experts at Beacon Exit Planning.
Women in Glass + Fenestration | Nov. 6. A powerful morning of mentorship, networking and inspiration hosted by Stefanie Couch of Grit Blueprint, featuring breakfast, speakers and facilitated networking focused on mentorship and building connections. The event is open to all.
Find opportunity at the Glazing Executives Forum
GlassBuild programming once again welcomes the leaders of installing companies to the Glazing Executives Forum on Nov. 4. This program, featuring insights specifically tailored to contract glaziers, is designed to help leaders unlock new growth and improve margins from existing work, with business management and trends insights. Separate registration is required.
Conference highlights include the following:
- Glazing Forecast. Economist Connor Lokar of ITR Economics returns to present an in-depth outlook for the U.S. economy and the construction segment, tailored for glazing contractors.
- Navigating the Supply Chain. Industry leaders discuss today’s realities and offer best practices for successful project collaboration and execution.
- Contracts and Legal. Top construction lawyers discuss how to negotiate around killer contract clauses, and what to know about the state of immigration enforcement.
- Cracking the Division 10 Market. Hear from key voices in glazing about the challenges and opportunities in the interior partitions segment.
Listen and learn as Glass Cast and Window Cast go live
The official podcasts of GlassBuild, Glass Cast and Window Cast, will once again record live from the show floor. Glass Magazine and Window + Door’s editorial staff will welcome leading glass and fenestration leaders to discuss the latest trends and industry news, as well as share their thoughts on the larger economic and business landscapes ahead.
Discover Solutions at the Industry Pavilion
GlassBuild association sponsors, the National Glass Association and the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance, will offer solutions that members need at the Industry Pavilion, Booth #27096.
Visitors can ask NGA staff about its advocacy efforts and technical knowledge and resources. Booth visitors can also find insights on NGA’s industry-specific education opportunities for the current and future workforce through MyGlassClass.com—a collection of three different training paths for glass installers, fabricator personnel and glazier apprentices.
FGIA returns as association sponsor of this year’s GlassBuild, joining NGA in the Industry Pavilion. This year, FGIA will also participate in the new GlassBuild Skills Challenge. Their technical experts will test participants’ knowledge to help them offer better installations and insulating glass products.
Finish in the Fast Lane at the GlassBuild After-Party
After walking the show floor, finding leads, scoping out solutions and attending learning sessions, GlassBuild welcomes exhibitors and attendees alike to finish the race at the “GlassBuild-in-the-Fast-Lane” After-Party as the show accelerates toward a return to Las Vegas in 2026. Food, drinks and fun will be on hand for this gathering at the end of the third day of the show. Registration is required, and ticket proceeds go to the NGA Foundation.
