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Top Glass 2019 – Forging connections

Top Glass 2019 will mark the seventh edition of the event and we can say with confidence (and not a little pride) that it is now Canada’s premier gathering for the architectural glass industry.

Top decision-makers and thought leaders from the contracting, fabrication and design communities tell me they mark their calendars for each show and find great value in attending – on the show floor, where they find the latest technology; in the lecture room, where they get great advice from top experts; and in the aisles and sitting areas where they have stimulating conversations with peers and business contacts. The concept has been simple but powerful: provide a quick, one-day opportunity for everyone to come together to renew bonds and work on the business rather than in the business.

To that end, we’ll be adding some opportunities at this years’ show for everyone to gather and chat. It always seems to me that no matter how good an education program is or how many vendors are exhibiting, the real opportunity at a trade event is in the chance to meet someone new and hear what they have to say.

That’s the reason Top Glass always includes some generous breaks in the day to give you a chance to wander the show floor and interact with the exhibitors. They are the ones who make the whole thing possible, after all. And when it comes to the latest technical knowledge and business gossip, there’s no one better than a salesperson. In my view, anyone attending Top Glass just to sit in the presentations is missing half the fun.

But it’s easy to see how that can happen, given the excellent agenda we’ve assembled again. I’m gratified every year by the strong response to my call for papers and the compelling experts we attract. There really is no program like it in Canada for the commercial side of the glass construction industry. Most people have never even heard of anisotropy. At Top Glass, you’ll get an hour presentation with time for questions from someone who is leading international efforts to develop a standard for measuring it. Sick of trying to figure out if a glazing contractor knows what they are doing and will finish the job? Sick of bidding against those who don’t and won’t? Come hear about a certification program that could help establish a glazier’s credentials to high standards of quality and practice. And where else can you learn about testing bent IG units and building to Toronto’s TGSV3 standard all in one place?

To the above add the chance to help celebrate some of Ontario’s top achievements in the architectural glass field at the Ontario Glass and Metal Association’s Awards of Excellence presentation. It might help your business to know who is doing the great work that goes on in this industry and get a chance to shake
their hands.

Are you an architect or building engineer looking for continuing education credits? Top Glass is your chance to qualify for four one-hour structured learning credits in for free in one day. The presentations are recognized by most Canadian archtiecture and professional engineering associations, and all attendees receive certificates of attendance when they fill our the online feedback survey.Sometimes the presentations also qualify for AIA credits – contact us if you need to know in advance if a particular seminar qualifies.

See you at Top Glass!