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Win-Door Preview

Since its first occurrence some 16 years ago, Win-Door North America
has grown to become a world-class window and door show. Hosted by the
Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association (CWDMA), the annual
event has grown to include not only the ever popular trade show that
draws exhibitors and attendees from around the world, but also an
educational and informative program of meetings and seminars that makes
attending the annual show truly advantageous from a business
perspective.

ABOVE: Walter Gretzky and Matt Kottke of Truth Hardware at Win-Door 2009. Gretzky, father of the famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky, spoke at the award ceremony for the Pioneers of our Industry at Win-Door 2009. INSET: Bob Langdon was one of several presenters at the Win-Door 2009 Education Pavilion. He returns to Win-Door this year as the keynote speaker.

Since its first occurrence some 16 years ago, Win-Door North America has grown to become a world-class window and door show. Hosted by the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association (CWDMA), the annual event has grown to include not only the ever popular trade show that draws exhibitors and attendees from around the world, but also an educational and informative program of meetings and seminars that makes attending the annual show truly advantageous from a business perspective. The 2010 edition of Win-Door will be held Nov. 16 to 18, 2010, in the South Building, Hall E, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto.
With more than 150 exhibitors, the show itself is made up of a wide variety of exhibitors from all aspects of the fenestration industry:

• Glass and components for the manufacture of insulating glass units.
• All materials for window and door manufacturing, including vinyl, wood, aluminum and fibreglass extrusions for frames and sashes, door sills and window cladding, hardware, locks, rollers, screens, caulking and sealants.
• Door slabs – steel, fibreglass and wood.
• Machinery.
• Service suppliers of software, testing and related components.
• Assembly components.

Win-Door offers suppliers the ability to showcase their products and services to thousands of customers and prospects over the course of three days in a cost-effective manner.

While there are always challenges when launching a new product to market, this event provides the perfect setting, as attendees are focused individuals genuinely interested in what the show has to offer. Suppliers to the industry understand that Win-Door is attended by decision-makers, many of whom are actively seeking the new products, technology and innovations that drive their market. Win-Door has also proven an invaluable tool in building customer relationships with its many opportunities for networking and negotiating.

All segments of the industry benefit by attending the centralized gathering of industry representatives. Manufacturers bring their purchasing and production staff to view new components, products, equipment and various other services firsthand in one location. Many manufacturers attend Win-Door to negotiate the coming year’s purchasing deals and still more comment that the show provides an invaluable opportunity to speak directly with suppliers’ technicians one on one. For international participants in particular, Win-Door provides the opportunity to make direct contact with representatives from the vast Canadian market in a cost-effective way. 
 
Key people from government, trade associations and Industry groups such as IGMAC, NFRC and Energy Star are brought together by Win-Door. With high-level industry players meeting face to face to discuss pressing industry issues, much can be accomplished in a short period of time. Contacts made at the show strengthen the association as a whole by improving communications between all sectors of the industry.

As Win-Door host, the CWDMA not only has an opportunity to highlight the benefits of membership in the association, but also enjoys increased attendance at its fall general meeting held during the show.

 Prior to Win-Door’s inception, attendance of the CWDMA’s fall general meeting was in the 200 range. With the combined meeting and Win-Door show, attendance is phenomenally higher, allowing the CWDMA the opportunity to interact directly with a larger number of their members and allowing members an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns among their peers. Such face-to-face interactions are invaluable to an association that represents an industry spread from coast to coast.
 
Win-Door allows members an opportunity to take part in industry seminars and hear presentations by guest speakers. The program truly makes Win-Door an excellent educational opportunity in addition to being one of the best networking opportunities in the industry.  The 2010 seminar series will include business management information, economic forecasts and the always popular technical sessions:

• Steve Hopwood, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Energy Star account manager, will provide an update on the changes to Energy Star and also put forward some initial thinking on a possible next phase of changes. Specifically, Steve will outline “What’s New” in the Oct. 1, 2010, specification, explain how to label for Energy Star, advise on the dos and don’ts of submitting model information, and discuss possible future changes.
• Miles Murphy, CSA Standards product manager, will provide an update on the development of the first Canadian national program to certify installers of windows, doors and skylights. The FIT personnel certification program, developed by CSA with the support of NRCan and the Canadian Windows and Doors Manufacturing Association (CWDMA) is being developed to support the need for quality installations that meet industry standards and best practices and promote energy efficiency and consumer confidence. Having designed the scope, requirements, certification market, and knowledge and practice domains, subject matter experts are currently developing items for the certification examination.  The certification program is expected to launch early in 2011.
• The CWDMA’s Technical Consultant, Jeff Baker, will highlight the 2010 building code requirements and the NAFS testing requirements for doors, as well as changes in the building code and NAFS that window manufacturers will need to be aware of in order to achieve compliance with the new building code.
• Bob Langdon will return as the keynote speaker for Win-Door 2010. Langdon, CPA and author of Managing Your Business for Profit, has been assisting businesses in identifying and achieving their sales, marketing and financial goals since he began his consulting practice in 1981. He speaks continuously to corporate and association audiences and has spoken numerous times in the construction industry during the past five years. This experience enables Bob to understand the challenges and opportunities that the window and door industry face.  Langdon will deliver two one-hour seminars at Win-Door 2010:  “Strategic Planning for Your Closely Held Business” and “Maximizing Profitability in a Recovering Economy.”

As a result of the show’s success, all seminars and educational sessions are free with registration. Profits from the Win-Door show are used to bring down costs for membership in the association and to offer members free assistance from the CWDMA technical consultant. The show also helps fund the CWDMA’s educational webinar series, which further provides members a cost-effective means of educating a greater number of their staff on pertinent topics.

The CWDMA is proud to be part of an industry show that not only offers an outstanding trade show experience, but also offers a highly anticipated educational and informative program of meetings and seminars. It continues to be the gathering place for colleagues representing the entire industry, providing unmatched networking opportunities. Win-Door’s role in perpetuating education and technical support truly means that the show is invaluable to the fenestration industry.