Metal Construction Industry Prepares for Its Flagship Event.

Business Editors

METALCON International

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002

Members of the construction industry who design and build with metal are busy preparing for METALCON International, slated for October 1-3, 2002 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont (Chicago), Ill. This annual trade show and conference is focused on the application of metal in residential, industrial, institutional, and light commercial construction.

The event brings together 8,000 builders, designers, developers, owners, and government officials from more than 40 countries to learn new techniques and hear about the latest innovations and profit-making strategies for their businesses and professions.

Each year the industry's leading suppliers showcase their newest products, services, technology and peripherals in a powerful display that fills more than 600 booths. A comprehensive educational program, and a series of live-action demonstrations fill out the learning experience.

Since it began in 1991, the show has been known for its ability to draw qualified, serious shoppers each year, and it has become the industry's flagship event with more than 85% of exhibiting companies from each show returning for the next event. For 2002, more than 30 new companies are exhibiting in METALCON, eager to be part of the booming metal market.

METALCON's education program offers a comprehensive learning experience. Leading industry associations add their support, materials and expertise to general session programs, which are led by a line-up of well-known industry experts. Topics range from the basics to complex field techniques, legal issues, and sales skills. Trends in building materials, codes, construction methods and tools, as well as success stories related to green buildings are also discussed.

Several associations, including the Copper Development Association, Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International, the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association, and the Steel Framing Alliance are offering special programs during METALCON focused on the latest design, manufacturing and field techniques.

The ideas discussed in the conference program and products shown in the exhibits are put into action in a series of live-action demonstrations inside the exhibit hall. Organized by councils of the Metal Construction Association, sponsor of the show, the demos cover techniques for horizontal and vertical integration of wall panels, retrofit roofs, and vertical and horizontal applications of metal shingle products. Another lively demo is the Steel Joist Challenge in which participants try to set a record for performing certain field techniques and win tools and products in the process.

A steel-framed structure built inside the exhibit hall shows a variety of trends in the application of metal in construction, and offers another learning opportunity. Each year, industry associations and exhibitors donate time, resources, materials and labor to design and build the steel framed home at METALCON.

This year's structure will offer a hands-on learning experience for students from the School of Technology at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. The students, who are studying building construction management, mechanical engineering technology, and electrical engineering technology, will help construct and dismantle the house inside the exhibit hall. Later they will reconstruct it on a site near the university that has been donated by builders in the Lafayette area.

METALCON International is sponsored by the Metal Construction Association, whose mission is to expand the use of metal in construction through education, technical guidance, and marketing. The event is also supported by 35 participating associations representing various industry segments, and more than 25 industry publications.

METALCON is produced by PSMJ Resources, Inc., the most widely recognized information resource for the A/E design industry. For more information or to register log on to www.metalcon.com. For questions about exhibiting, e-mail [e-mail]; call 1-800-537-7765 or 617-965-0055; fax [phone]; or write PSMJ Resources, Inc., at 10 Midland Avenue, Newton, MA 02458.