GEMS Wraps Up in Schaumburg, Ill.

Glass Expo Midwest™ (GEMS) wrapped up yesterday in Schaumburg, Ill., at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. The two-day event concluded with more seminars, including a keynote speech by industry veteran Jerry Wright of Fort Worth, Texas, a past president of the Texas Glass Association.

Wright's speech focused on "Why Leadership Matters Today."

"The keynote speaker really rejuvenated attendees," said Maura Crittendon of State Farm, who attended several auto glass sessions and the keynote presentation.

Jerry Wright, a past president of the Texas Glass Association, gave the keynote presentation this week during Glass Expo Midwest.

Joe Tyrcha from Capitol Glass in Elk Grove, Ill., also attended the conference.

"Whenever I go to the show I look for new products and vendors and ways that we can expand our business," Tyrcha said. In fact, several products caught his eye this year.

"I liked the touch and go hardware from CHMI. It's a mag lock that releases when you touch the pull handle. Also, I liked the panel systems in Petersen Aluminum's booth. They now offer slab covers and composite panels."

Tyrcha added that he was also excited about some of decorative glass products at the show.

"There were some nice art glass samples in the Mirror and Glass Craft booth," Tyrcha added. "They had a lot of new wave products."

James Rackelin of Emergency Lock & Safe Inc. in Chicago Ridge, Ill., attended the event as a newcomer to the industry; he's currently in the process of purchasing his own glass shop.

"I was able to meet different people from different places in the industry and lots of suppliers, too," Rackelin said.

Another attendee, Dan Hanson of Val Pro Glass in Eagan, Minn., said the show was a valuable one for him to attend.

"The speakers were well-prepared and had good content," Hanson said.

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