Several opportunities for hands-on industry experience and learning will be offered during the 2026 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Fall Conference in Calgary, Alberta. Those visiting the city for the conference will have the chance to try their hands at proper window installation techniques, identifying flaws in insulated glass units (IGUs) and assessing colour space in black vinyl profiles. Register for the conference before July 24 to take advantage of early bird pricing.
“Hands-on learning can provide a level of understanding that can’t be replicated otherwise,” said Florica Vlad, FGIA Events Manager. “These interactive experiences will allow attendees to apply best practices, build confidence in their skills and engage directly with the products and processes that shape our industry. By pairing practical learning opportunities with our technical sessions, we are empowering professionals to return to their organisation with knowledge they can apply immediately.”
Perfecting sill pan and flashing techniques with InstallationMasters®
On Wednesday September 2, FGIA will be hosting two different skills challenges, the first of which is called, “InstallationMasters® – Proper Sill Pan and Self-Adhering Flashing Applications.” InstallationMasters covers industry-accepted installation practices for windows and exterior glass doors in residential and light commercial markets. Two stations will allow participants to test their talents at creating a flexible sill pan and applying self-adhering flashing.
Identifying flaws in IGUs
During the same hands-on workshop, the second skills challenge will be a version of the popular Insulating Glass Fabricators Workshop. Led by industry experts, the workshop addresses best practices for the most important aspects of fabricating and testing insulating glass units. This interactive skills challenge includes two stations from the two-and-a-half-day workshop, focused on ensuring proper sealant mix and identifying flaws in IGUs.
Engaging in black colour space research for black vinyl frames
Black framed windows have rapidly emerged as a defining trend in modern design, but achieving both aesthetics and performance requires advanced engineering. In an effort to support ongoing research into black colour space, the FGIA Vinyl Material Council will be hosting a table in the registration area during the conference. There, conference participants can assess digital black panels in person.