METALCON's 20th annual show experiences growth

The Metal Construction Association, Newton, Mass., has announced that the 2010 METALCON International show, held Oct. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drew 5,445 designers, builders, developers, contractors, fabricators, and suppliers from more than 50 countries. Product experts from 300 companies exhibited the latest products and technology, while industry specialists presented key topics in the 33-session education program.

This was the 20th annual staging of the show, the only annual conference and exhibition dedicated to metal construction products. The number of visitors was about 200 more than the 2009 show. According to Show Director Claire Kilcoyne, 87 percent of the 2010 exhibitors booked for next year’s show in Atlanta with 492 booths and more than 118,000 sq. ft. of new product exhibits.

For the second consecutive year, the increased awareness of the value of pairing metal and solar systems was reflected in METALCON International's Solar Bay, which showcased solar technology with metal roof and wall systems. Daily education sessions covering product selection, system design, installation, and funding drew steady crowds and constant traffic flow to Solar Bay and surrounding exhibits. The show's 33-session education conference also featured seven programs focused on solar and roofing and retrofit topics that included solar.

In the MCA Demo area, daily live-action demos provided insight on roof and wall technologies and trends. In addition to the series of daily live demonstrations, each of three areas dedicated to residential roofing, commercial roofing, and wall panels were open for attendees to walk through and have one-on-one discussions with experts who presented the demos. Attendees also saw hands-on tool demos and were able to test commercial-grade tools for drilling, sawing, cutting, bending, and fastening.