Come on...Be There!

It is that time… GlassBuild is approaching, and with the hotel deadline this week, I figured this was a prime opportunity to make my pitch on why you should be there. This is the show for the entire industry. A chance for all of us to connect, learn, and grow. I hear from people who say they don’t go because “there’s nothing for me there,” and to that I say…nonsense! To me, it means you are not looking at it the right way.

So, you’re saying that with 600 exhibitors there, there’ll be none that would help you or your business? So, you’re saying with top-notch speakers and educational sessions, there’s nothing at all to gain? Just seeing Conor Lokar is worth the trip because of the knowledge. Or the panel at the Glazing Executives Panel featuring supply chain insights from leaders at Viracon, YKK, and Allegion. So, you’re saying that with 8,000+ other people there, you won’t run into someone who can help you with your business/life?

I think people sometimes see “trade show” and if they’re not in the mode to buy something, then it’s not worth attending. Well, this one is. It is crucial even more this year, given a sluggish economy and unknowns everywhere. So, if you are on the fence, jump off and sign up.  If you were a “no,” reconsider and join us. Go to GlassBuildAmerica.com and use my code MAXPOD25 at checkout for a free show floor entry and get to Orlando. You won’t regret it. And as mentioned above, the hotel deadline for the best locations and rates ends this week, so you probably shouldn’t wait any longer on that. Thanks for hearing me out!

Elsewhere…

Latest pod

In case you missed it… the latest From the Fabricator podcast that dropped last week was one for the books. Getting insights from Devin Bowman of TGP/Allegion and Paul Daniels of FHC was priceless. Feedback has been incredible too… Thank you for giving it a shot!

Watch on Youtube, or listen here.

Career exploration event

Recruiting. A huge issue. So it was awesome to see the always astute Jim Stathopoulos of AJAY Glass leading the way at an event last week in Rochester, NY. Jim, along with the NGA, took part in ROC With Your Hands, a hands-on career exploration event connecting 1,500 students (grades 8-12) with skilled trades careers. Cool stuff. NGA had a great take on it all here, and it hit home. Check it out and know if Jim is into something, then it’s a great signal to follow his lead!

Latest Dodge Momentum Index

The latest Dodge Momentum Index was released, and it, of course, is still pointing more positively than we all expect (and probably feel.) I’ll take it, positive always works. There was one great line from the report that I think is worth sharing:

 “After a prolonged period of uncertainty, owners and developers are advancing projects into planning, but activity is expected to normalize in future months.” 

Ok, this is what we have been talking about… when will the dam break? Money has been sitting on the sidelines… is it starting to move? I do think the uncertainty is still considerable. The Fed may not cut rates again as expected —bears watching, but the need to progress may be outweighing it all. For me, I want to see what Conor Lokar says at GlassBuild. That will surely help to determine what is coming down the pike and when.

Sympathy to Philly sports fans

Last this week… I have many friends in the Philadelphia area, and my heart goes out to the sports fans there. What a miserable, no-good, brutal week you just had. The Eagles go from 4-0 to 4-2 in the space of 4 days, and then the Phillies lose a series in the most agonizing, insane way with a walk-off dribbler matched with a mental freeze. Rough. Hang in there, folks… And as for me, watching the Tigers lose in the longest elimination playoff game ever (while texting the Mayor of Glass Town, Jon Johnson for all 5+ hours) was a tough experience too…