A Peek into METALCON 2023’s Education Program

With only 5 months to go before the metal construction industry convenes in Las Vegas for METALCON 2023, the education program is shaping up to be one of the best in the show’s history. From Keynote addresses to Super Sessions, to 35+ FREE sessions in learning centers strategically located on the show floor, you will learn from some of the best the industry has to offer including Ken Simonson, Chief Economist with The Associated General Contractors of America, Steven Gaynor, Principal Consultant for PIVOTH and co-founder of RAiNA and Justin Ganschow, Business Development Manager with Caterpillar Safety Services, Caterpillar Inc.

Here’s a sneak peek into METALCON 2023’s Education Program:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Construction Outlook for ’24: Forbidding or Reason for Cheer? with Ken Simonson, Chief Economist with The Associated General Contractors of America

We are thrilled to welcome back Ken to METALCON 2023. Ken will offer his fearless forecasts regarding the conflicting trends in demand for projects, materials costs, and labor availability. Learn how to weather thru this transitional time with a slowing economy and rising interest rates threatening private investment, but how growth in manufacturing, power, and infrastructure investment may outweigh any decline in income-producing properties.

This session will take place on Wednesday, October 19 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM in the Flack Global Metals Theatre on the show floor and included in your Total Experience registration.

Integrating Cladding in Rainscreens and the Differences Between the Two with Steven Gaynor, Principal Consultant for PIVOTH and co-founder of RAiNA

Steve will review the most common cladding systems used in rainscreen assemblies and answer questions regularly asked by members of the metal construction industry. Claddings are the first line of defense in a rainscreen assembly to keep water out of the building envelope. He will address regularly asked questions by metal construction specifiers, designers, and installers including: Are all claddings the same? Do I incorporate all claddings into the rainscreen assembly the same way? What material properties are important for a cladding system when used in a rainscreen assembly? Material properties of each of the common cladding systems will also be discussed as well as how different systems may require diverse ways to be incorporated into a rainscreen assembly while keeping the performance of the key functions of drainage, ventilation, and drying. 

This session will take place on October 19 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in the Architect’s Pavilion and is included in your Total Experience registration.

ALSO – catch Steve on June 7 when he presents “NFPA 285 & Other Fire Considerations” in our next METALCON Online! webinar. Learn the importance of cladding and fire safety while earning 1 AIA LU credit. REGISTER NOW for that FREE webinar.

Better Together: Creating Connectivity in a Divided World with Justin Ganschow, Business Development Manager with Caterpillar Safety Services, Caterpillar Inc.

With 20 years of experience in public health and private industry, Justin is a sought-after international keynote speaker and writer on the impact of leadership and human biology on workplace safety and culture. His thought-provoking, science-based content and emotion-stirring real-world experiences engage dozens of audiences around the world each year. Justin focuses on the “why” behind the “what” – inspiring frontline employees, leaders, executives and safety professionals alike to think and perform at a higher level drawing from his experiences of growing up on a farm to working as an EHS professional in the heavy equipment manufacturing industry. In this session, you will learn how individual perceptions form beliefs that influence connectedness, how bias about those beliefs can lead to social or departmental tribalism and how that impacts workplace safety.  Techniques for rethinking these personal intuitions will be explained along with methods to skillfully navigate relationships with intellectual curiosity and a desire to come to the best mutual outcome.  With this knowledge, you will better understand yourself and be equipped to establish psychological safety in your organization, building stronger connections and solving business challenges.

This learning session will take place October 19 from 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm in the Flack Global Metals Theater located inside the Exhibit Hall and is included in your Total Experience registration.

METALCON 2023 is happening October 18 – 20 (with pre-day workshops on October 17) at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to the robust exhibit hall, METALCON will offer 35+ education sessions including Keynotes, Super Sessions, and sessions for Best Practices, Technical Know-How, and Sustainability. The program will also feature education sessions specific to architects along with hand-picked sessions for future leaders (young professionals age 40 and under). EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE NOW – REGISTER HERE. The majority of education is included with your Total Experience Registration and check out our new *Value Pass* this year giving you the option to add on a pre-day workshop.

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