PGC Wraps Up: Opportunities Abound

The Protective Glazing Council (PGC) held the final day of its Annual Symposium yesterday in Arlington, Va. Held at the Crystal City Marriott, the event packed back-to-back sessions into two days. Thursday's speakers represented primarily government related agencies and programs. Current president Scott Haddock, says PGC selects the greater Washington D.C. area to increase access to government resources, building code officials, architects and specifiers. Haddock says the event is as much about developing relationships to help create opportunities within the industry, as as it is about keeping up with the latest standards and practices.

A representative from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) was on hand to share post September 11th developments presenting protective glazers with opportunities. Lt. Patrick Devlin says the force's counterterrorism department has already received significant help from PGC and from Haddock specifically.

According to Devlin, immediately following September 11th, property developers and owners began "throwing concrete everywhere," in an effort to increase blast protection. But Devlin says this knee-jerk-reaction isn't always a viable solution, because it cuts down on access points for emergency personnel and regress options for building inhabitants, potentially increasing the potential for injury or death.

"I feel like I'm trying to tell Derek Jeter how to play short-stop," Devlin joked in a thick New York City accent. His enthusiasm for protective glazing technology follows an increased awareness by his division, which he says spells opportunity for contractors and manufacturers, because it is allowing planners much needed alternatives. He concluded by providing his personal contact information and repeatedly urging attendees to get in touch with information, advice or questions.

Other speakers included William Veys from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and William Holley, chief engineer for the General Services Administration's Building Security Technology Program. Veys and Holley shared their departments' specific needs and, similar to Devlin, explained the role protective glazing plays.

"I'm not offering a great deal of expertise," Holley explained. "I'm here more to help get your products into U.S. GSA projects."

He assured attendees, for those willing to jump through numerous hoops of paperwork, great opportunity awaits them.

Haddock shared several recent PGC developments, including a strategic assessment aimed at increasing the group's focus and the formation of a technical committee, which he says is long overdue. Overall, Haddock says he senses a rejuvenated interest in the Council, which may be attributed to two days packed with business opportunities.

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