It's Time!

We've made it to GlassBuild week! The industry will descend on Las Vegas later this week for the trade show of the year. I am excited to see everyone, meet new folks, learn new things, and just be a part of the great glazing community for a few days. Please, if you see me, stop by and say hi. I am confident this week will help propel us further, overcome some frustrating obstacles and keep rolling into 2027. Safe and easy travels to all, and when you get there, have a good time and be careful out there too. Next week I'll have the annual massive GlassBuild recap here on who I saw, what I learned, and what is next!

Elsewhere…

Construction woes

Not the best of weeks for the construction space, eh? Rising costs (aluminum, more volatile than ever) followed by the necessary rate hike. Sad that the rate hike was needed- given it wasn't that long ago we were on the cusp of a rate cut! That rate cut was meant to spur building; now the first thing that came out after the rate hike was the cooling of potential construction work. Never a dull or easy moment in our world. Regardless, we soldier on. I am very curious to see what Connor Lokar, economist extraordinaire, says during his keynote this week.

Newest pod

ICYMI, the most current podcast is up, and the reaction has all been focused on the tone. I'm getting feedback about the fun personalities of Urmilla Sowell of NGA and Bruce Murray of Steel Encounters. Everyone knew these two were whip smart, but I am guessing being extra cool is something that caught people's attention this time. In any case- if you haven't listened yet- give it a shot. I think you'll enjoy. The next pod drops October 4th, featuring a leading commercial glazier and a star in the window and door installation area. I haven't had much conversation with either of them, so it'll be great to get to know them and have them share with the industry.

For Urmilla & Bruce, watch here, or listen here.

Mall construction growing

News also this week is that a growing construction segment is malls. Yes, malls. Mall values jumped 13% in a year, more than doubling commercial-property price gains. I thought malls were all closing, but evidently that's not the case. I'm surprised, but happy to know this, and if this truly is a rebounding trend, that is wonderful for those who fabricate and install heavy glass. Back in the day, mall work was a huge piece. Wouldn't that be nice to see it return, even in a smaller way.

Skylight blunder in TV

Last this week… I've talked at the end of my podcast about the Amazon show "Reacher." It's fun and empty-calorie viewing, and it's really a great treadmill show. However, they pulled an absolute blunder with a scene featuring a skylight. The skylight was annealed. Single lite. I don't want to spoil it if you haven't watched yet, but needless to say, the skylight scene was super wrong in the real world. It was done to help the plot, so I get it, but still disappointing. I can only imagine a guy like Brian Thomas of Super Sky, who is the world's leading authority on that product, watching the scene and jumping out of his skin. Hollywood really needs to hire one of us… but all these shows force you to suspend belief, so I guess that goes for proper glass and glazing too.