With us being only a week away from METALCON ’23, #MagnificentMetalMonday explains why this METALCON will be like no other.
EDUCATION SESSIONS YOU WON’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE
Never before has METALCON offered five Keynote and Super Sessions to kick off each day of the show. Highly acclaimed speakers will be delivering informative solutions to everyday issues in real time.
PREMIERE KEYNOTE: HGTV HOST OF “RICO TO THE RESCUE” RICO LEÓN
On Wednesday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m., contractor and Denver business owner Rico León presents his keynote, “HGTV’s Rico to the Rescue: Real Life Scenarios – From Nightmares to Dreams Come True.” Learn some of his most unforgettable experiences and lessons learned from residential construction projects gone wrong and then turned around and how he has helped families navigate the process — covering the good, the bad, and the ugly about construction, the insurance industry, contractors, and brutally honest advice to help everyday people. A Puerto Rican raised in Pittsburgh, his blue-collar, East Coast hard-knock surroundings cultivated his enthusiastic work ethic and success. Driven by his parents’ experience with a crooked contractor, Rico advocates for families and resolves conflicts between emotionally and financially stressed homeowners and their builders to turn renovation and construction nightmares into dream homes.
Following his presentation, he will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Tony Bouquot of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) with an audience Q&A and autograph signing.
INDUSTRY KEYNOTE: CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK FOR ’24
On Thursday, October 19 at 10:00 am, METALCON welcomes Ken Simonson, Chief Economist of the Associated General Contractors of North America, to present “Construction Outlook for ’24: Forbidding or Reason for Cheer?” With construction in transition, a slowing economy, and rising interest rates threatening private investment, Simonson will offer his fearless forecasts regarding the conflicting trends in demand for projects, materials costs, and labor availability. Learn how interest rates affect current, future, and projected projects and how manufacturing, power, and infrastructure may counteract industry declines. He’ll cover new and developing changes in construction practices and how those changes will affect current/future projects.
For over two decades, Simonson has been chief economist for the AGC, the U.S.’s leading trade association for the construction industry. He provides insight into the economy and what it implies for construction and related industries through frequent media interviews, presentations, and the Data DIGest, his weekly one-page e-newsletter that goes to 20,000+ subscribers.
BONUS KEYNOTE: LEARN THE FIGHTER PILOT MINDSET
On Friday morning, October 29 at 11:00 am, a former fighter pilot turned CEO, Christian “Boo” Boucousis presents “Fighter Pilot Mindset” – From Ideas to Execution.” When it comes to unlocking human potential and achieving organizational success, there’s no one quite “Boo.” As CEO of the global organizational performance company, Afterburner, he uses the fighter pilot “Flawless Execution” model to show you how to transition the art of an idea into the science of execution. Having dabbled in the world of metal construction, Boo is credited for building the world’s tallest metal prefabricated modular high-rise hotel in 2014 — 17 stories in 11 weeks! This high-impact session will introduce you to the secret world of real fighter pilots and how Boo utilizes the lessons he learned in uniform to build multimillion-dollar businesses.
If all that isn’t enticing enough, watch Boo’s invitation to his presentation at METALCON:
The above Keynote Addresses will occur in the Flack Global Metals Main Theatre in the Exhibit Hall. Keynotes are INCLUDED with registration.
KICK START YOUR MORNING WITH A SUPER SESSION
DESIGNING FOR LAS VEGAS: A FULL HOUSE OF FINISHES FOR ALLEGIANT STADIUM TO ENHANCE, PROTECT, AND COOL
Brought to you by PPG, join Gary Edgar, PPG’s Manager of Architectural Specifications, Industrial Coatings, and Christopher Sotiropulos, Vice President of Allegiant Stadium Operations on Wednesday at 8:30 am. Both were instrumental in the stadium’s design and construction and will discuss what it took to build — and maintain — a venue of this size and stature, as well as ongoing initiatives that improve sustainability and guest experiences.
Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, opened in 2021 with a construction price tag of $1.9 billion, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums to build. Just two years after opening, it has become one of the biggest draws in Las Vegas, drawing nearly two million people to the venue each year for sporting events, headlining concerts, and other special events. Billboard named it the Top Venue in the World in 2022.
STEEL AND SKYLINES: UNVEILING INNOVATIONS FROM THE LAS VEGAS STRIP TO SUPER TALL BUILDINGS
On Thursday at 8:30 a.m., acclaimed architect and author Stefan Al will delve into the world of architectural innovation and its profound impact on skylines across the globe. Drawing from his acclaimed book “Supertall,” Al will share insights from the realm of skyscrapers, shedding light on the emergence of a new generation of towering structures that defy conventional limits in terms of height and design. As one of the architects behind the remarkable 2000-foot-tall Canton Tower, which briefly held the title of the world’s tallest tower, Al offers a firsthand account of the challenges faced in pushing architectural boundaries, including the quest for improved sustainability. Furthermore, he will highlight the unceasing evolution of Las Vegas Boulevard as he explores the developments of resort design and signage that have contributed to the city’s distinctive character.
These two super sessions occur in room S229 at the Convention Center.
These sessions have been approved for 1 AIA CEC.
For additional details, click on this year’s show guide 👉produced by our partner publication Metal Construction News.
If you haven’t registered yet, you’re running out of time to secure your place at the ONLY global event for metal construction and design, product technologies, and solutions. REGISTER TODAY for METALCON ’23!
