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Top Glass schedule released

Canada’s architectural glass community will come together again on April 20 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., to renew acquaintances, discover new technology and absorb some high-quality learning. New to the event this year is a panel discussion examining the impact of the Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the changes it promises for doing business with and in Europe.  At a time when our trade partnership with the United States feels more uncertain than ever, organizers are inviting the glass industry to take a look farther afield to new markets for their products and services.

Another exciting new feature is the addition of an educational facility tour happening the day before Top Glass. Top Glass attendees will be able to tour Fenzi North America’s Etobicoke distribution centre discovering how polysulfide and butylver polyisobutylene (PIB) products are made and tested, along with technical briefs on insulating glass manufacturing technology including aluminum and warm edge spacer bars.

Top Glass management is anticipating another strong show, with the 10,000-square-foot exhibit floor selling out two months ahead of the event date. Growth in interest in Top Glass has been remarkable, with almost three times the registered attendees at last years’ show compared to the first edition in 2014.

That growth led to some difficulties accommodating the crowd in the lecture hall last time. Organizers have reacted with a more comfortable, classroom-style seating plan in an expanded space and will offer an overflow theatre where attendees can watch the sessions on a live video feed and text questions to the event moderator.

Once again, the Ontario Association of Architects has approved Top Glass sessions as qualifying for structured learning hours. Architects, building engineers and specifiers have an opportunity to earn four hours in one day.

Top Glass at a Glance
Date: April 20
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: International Centre, Mississauga, Ont.
Parking: Free on site
Admission: Free
Who should attend: Glazing contractors, glass fabricators, architects, building engineers, architectural glass specifiers

Schedule of events
10:00 – Registration desk and exhibit hall open
11:00 – Panel discussion: Over There – The opportunity for Canada’s glass industry in a new era of free trade with Europe
Panelists: Riyaz Dattu, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt – Yvon Chiasson, Morrison Hershfield – Bruce Nicol, Down Corning
12:00 – Lunch break
1:00 – Made in Canada – A harmonized standard for safety glazing 27 years in the making – presenter: John Kent, AMS Certification
2:00 – Adding Efficiency – A case study in commercial retrofit IG solutions –  presenter: Tracy Rogers, Keystone Certifications
3:00 – OGMA Awards of Excellence
4:30 – The Life of Glass – Life cycle analysis and material transparency and how this will change the way we develop, manufacture and market our products – presenter: Helen Sanders, Technoform Glass Insulation

All presentations take place in the lecture theatre located on the show floor. Sessions are eligible for OAA Structured Learning Hours – certificates of attendance issued on request.