The National Glass Association (NGA) held its 18th annual National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO on 17-19 May in Tucson, Arizona. The event drew 678 industry participants to Tucson to attend seminars, …
The National Glass Association (NGA) held its 18th annual National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO on 17-19 May in Tucson, Arizona. The event drew 678 industry participants to Tucson to attend seminars, learn about new products, and meet their industry peers. More than 50 exhibiting companies displayed a variety of auto glass industry products, equipment, and services during the EXPO portion of the event. “There“s a saying in business: The secret of success is consistency of purpose. That was the case at this year“s Auto Glass Conference in Tucson”, said Phil James, President and CEO of the National Glass Association. “We had a good group of core industry folks who came to do business, and that“s what it“s all about. Based on what I“ve heard from participants, this was one of our best conferences to date”. The conference began on the afternoon of 17 May 2006 with the Auto Glass Industry Exchange, a session where NGA members were given an update on the activities of the association“s Auto Glass Division. Immediately following the exchange, NGA board chairman Tom Lee III of Lee & Cates Glass in Jacksonville, Florida addressed attendees at the Opening Session. The NGA also presented the Len Stolk Special Achievement Award award for outstanding service to the industry to Bob Beranek of Automotive Glass Consultants, Inc. of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the goals and objectives of the NGA. The Opening Session ended with keynote speaker, Gary Lubner, CEO of BELRON(R), who brought out a standing room-only audience. An outdoor cocktail reception co-sponsored by Dow Automotive and NGA finished off the day. Thursday 18 and Friday 19 May 2006 featured educational seminars, two auto glass installation demonstrations and the exhibit hall. Show organizers have announced that the event will move to February from 2007. Denise Sheehan, Vice President of Industry Events for the NGA, said, “I“ve heard from both attendees and exhibitors who are pleased about our move to February in 2007. Next year“s conference will also have a slightly different structure to allow attendees to really maximize their time away from their businesses. We have a few more tricks – or maybe I should say treats – up our sleeves for next year and we“ll be announcing all the details soon”. The 19th annual National Auto Glass Conference & EXPO will be held 14-16 February 2007 in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1948, the National Glass Association is the largest trade association representing the entire US flat glass industry.