We invite you to see first-hand why Indianapolis was named one of the “best places to visit” by TIME, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure in their 2021 lists. Mark your calendar for October 12-14, 2022, as METALCON 2022 heads to Indy, famous for its Indy 500, but also a destination gaining in popularity and importance for the metal construction community given the city’s close proximity to 75% of the manufacturing distribution space in the US! Listen to Jeff Irwin, executive director of the IMP Alliance, as he explains why the city will serve as a perfect host for the metal construction industry. After a year of not being able to meet face-to-face, Dave Tomchak, director of marketing with Bay Insulation Systems, shares his experience from this year’s show, “We are glad to be back. This is the biggest booth we have ever had, and we’ve seen a lot of traffic. We are really grateful to be here and to see a lot of customers. Next year, let’s go to Indianapolis and get together again face-to-face to meet and greet everybody.”
Continuing education and the ability to earn AIA credits is no longer limited to once a year while on-site at METALCON. METALCONLive!’s robust schedule will pave the way for rich learning opportunities throughout the year. Kicking off the new year, join us January 5 for “Metal Building 101," presented by industry veteran Lee Shoemaker, director of research and engineering with MBMA, and then on February 2, Karl Feldman, partner at Hinge Marketing, will tackle some of the current labor market issues with “Four Ways to Attract and Retain Employees During the Great Recession." Earn one free AIA LU credit with either session.
During his keynote address at METALCON in October, Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, is "faintly optimistic about seeing improvement on costs and availability in 2022, but there are encouraging forward-looking indicators such as the Architecture Billings Index, Dodge Momentum Index (projects in initial construction stage) along with an increasing number of multi-family construction permits being authorized.” He added, “Construction spending in 2021 had risen above 2020 numbers, but by a small margin.” According to Simonson, forecasted growth sectors will include solar, manufacturing (especially pharmaceuticals), data centers and rail, and sectors expected to struggle in the new year include higher education, retail commercial, airport, hospital and lodging. In a recent talk, Simonson expects shortages in materials to continue and for prices to continue to move. Metal Center News reported in October, “The World Steel Association forecasts steel demand will grow an additional 2.2 percent in 2022 to 1.9 billion tons, which follows a 4.5 percent growth in demand in 2021.” Despite areas of volatility especially in the area of construction employment and material shortages, in summary, Ken said, “the U.S. economy is healthy.”
For more details, check out Ken Simonson’s recent webinar entitled, “2022 Economic Forecast,” sponsored by the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, the educational and research arm of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.
MCN ANNOUNCES 2021 METAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Recently announced by Metal Construction News, “The Grand Award winner and the New Metal Roofs category winner is the New York City-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Rooftop Terrace. The project is noteworthy for its wizard’s hat-shaped roof that gracefully disguises the rooftop mechanical equipment above the public terrace. In a strong group of projects covering diverse applications, the judges selected it calling it a ‘brilliant solution for urban design building detail,” citing its roof that was “not typically expected on a historic building.’” Eight additional winners were announced in categories including new and retrofit metal walls, metal building systems, craftsmanship, roofing, and three judges awards.
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