Learning opportunities at METALCON 2016 offer an extraordinary look at the future while presenting ideas to improve today’s safety, productivity, communication and the finished project.

As part of this year’s show from October 26-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center, METALCON is offering two unique general sessions featuring 3-D technology.  On Oct. 26, Roderick Jackson from Oak Ridge National Laboratories demonstrates how a natural gas-powered hybrid vehicle and a solar-powered house are linked to create an integrated energy system―both built using large-scale 3-D printers. On Oct. 27, architect and innovator Adam Kushner takes this type of 3-D additive manufacturing to another step demonstrating how it’s used in building projects and why it could soon become mainstream.

METALCON Show Director, Claire Kilcoyne, is thrilled to have these speakers on board.  “We’ve heard about combining new technologies but now see that it’s real,” says Kilcoyne.  “Companies in our industry have always been on the leading edge and with this technology, can evaluate other high-tech applications.”

The 45-minute sessions following the general sessions demonstrate existing applications of this technology, along with ideas for better management, marketing, products and techniques to improve metal buildings.

Advances in drones and associated benefits for safety and accuracy on construction projects are covered by Mark Sapp, Chief Technology Officer of HoverStat Technologies in “Safety Above All, Thanks to Drones.”  Tom Dyskiewicz of Crossing Partners LLC and Chris Hewson, National Account Manager for iRoofing, discuss the future direction of roof technology and its impact on metal roofing businesses in “Roofing Technology for Today and Tomorrow.”  Ray Smith of AppliCad USA, Inc., also takes on roofing technology with a session focused on the importance of planning before installing or upgrading software.  Technology and its value in marketing and sales lead conversion are explained by Lance Bachmann of 1SEO.com Digital Agency in “Using Digital Marketing to Build Your Future in the Metal Industry.”

In addition to a focus on technology this year, business success is covered in several sessions including “Grab the Future and Lead” with Frank Stasiowski, of PSMJ Resources, Inc.  In this fast-paced session, participants learn how to move a business forward using realistic strategies.  Dave Berry, a consultant with FMI, offers “Emerging Trends for Contractor Success,” and details what makes a company successful and how to build a business fit for future challenges. 

Training and development are among critical business topics covered.  Steve Yates of Optimum Safety Management leads participants in how to develop a workable safety program in “Building a Safety Culture That Lasts.”  Peter Gudmundsson of RecruitMilitary explains the facts and best practices for accessing the amazing resources of U.S. veterans in “Understanding the Real Veteran Hiring Opportunity.”  

Metal construction experts discuss best practices and attributes of metal roofs, windows, wall panels and building inspections.  Rob Haddock, Metal Advisory Group, deals with the reality of “The Roof: The Greatest Asset (or pain-in-the asset) to the Building.”  Bob Zabcik of NCI talks about “Choosing Wall Panels for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency,” and Adam Verstraete of Wintech and Rick Kincy of Dominion Building Products offer new insight on a common building aspect in “Window Options for Metal Buildings Are Changing.”  The big picture for all metal building projects is presented in “Metal Building Inspection – Don’t Get Caught Off Guard,” an interactive session with an expert panel led by Dustin Cole of Ruffin Building Systems.

Two programs kick-off before METALCON opens. The first is a unique offsite tour on Oct. 25, at Intertek Building & Construction’s testing laboratory in York, Penn. This is a once-a-year chance to see product testing firsthand and learn more about testing and certification.  The second is the Metal Roof Certification Training Program, which runs on October 25 and 26. Participants in this 8-hour session will have practical, hands-on training based on the Metal Construction Association’s Metal Roof Installation Manual, and become certified in proper methods of metal roof installation.  Details of all education offerings at METALCON, as well as online registration can be accessed at www.metalcon.com.