All is quiet as a readied show floor awaits the opening of METALCON 2010 in Las Vegas.
MCA dignitaries and show management personnel, including Jeff Irwin, MCA president (with ceremonial scissors), and Claire Kilcoyne, show director since METALCON's inception (second row, second from the left), cut the ribbon to open last year's show.
A bird's eye view shows the immense show floor and diversity of displays.

By Marge O'Connor
DesignandBuildwithMetal.com

We talk about METALCON all year. But as this major event approaches, we realize how important it is to the economy and specifically to contractors who are looking for ways to consistently thrive in the worst and in the best of business climates.

You meet with customers face to face, but how often do you get to personally meet the people who create the products you use and to talk with the experts who know the best ways to use them?

	Claire Kilcoyne

“For contractors, the face-to-face part of being at METALCON is huge whether they are trying to start a new business or expand an existing one. In just a few days at this show they can capture all the products and ideas they need to do that because there’s no place else where all the metal products and experts are available at one time,” says METALCON Show Director Claire Kilcoyne.

“People have likened METALCON to a giant reunion – all the key players are there in the exhibits, the conference sessions and the demos. Most of them have been in the industry for years through the ups and downs of the economic cycle. They are in it for the long run and many have been with METALCON since it began,” she adds.

From an education standpoint, METALCON offers an extensive conference program with topics ranging from the basics of roofing to details of field techniques and a range of business management programs. Just like the products in the exhibits, the education topics are either new or take a new approach to an existing topic. To put it all into action, experts with years of field experience present daily live demonstrations of the latest installation techniques.

	Opportunities to learn about metal at METALCON, on the show floor...
	...and in the classroom. ​

“We offer everything -- for those who have little experience who want to get the basics to those with years of experience who want more advanced techniques. For those curious about adding metal to their business, they’ll learn why metal is a better building product and a solution for many of the environmental extremes that hit our country in the last year – such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and earthquakes. As more homeowners and building owners realize that metal is the material of choice for their structures, the market for metal will continue to grow,” notes Kilcoyne.

And she speaks from experience, not just as show director of METALCON for 21 years, but as a homeowner with a beautiful new metal roof. “In the last few months we’ve had an earthquake, a hurricane and some of the worst thunderstorms I can remember. My roof looks great, my home is safe and it’s attractive. A general contractor repairing damage to other homes in the area stopped by to ask about our metal roof. It’s this type of snowball effect – again the personal experience – that keeps expanding the metal industry,” she adds.

Why is METALCON different? Because it’s the only place to find everyone and every product in the industry. Only at METALCON can you find everything - roof and wall systems, framing, trusses, accessories, software, roll forming equipment, information about coatings and finishes, underlayment, insulation – and a host of products that meet renewable, sustainable or green standards.

Green products and demos are easy to find in Green Island and Solar Bay. Green Island is a special section of the exhibit hall that features metal products and accessories for green building. Solar Bay highlights the perfect match between metal roofing and solar technology through product exhibits and live educational demos that highlight the ease of solar installations on metal roofing as well as the opportunities in this market.

You can learn more about METALCON and start your registration online at www.metalcon.com. Register by September 27 for a complementary exhibit hall pass and reduced rates on conference programs.