TGA Honors Many During Glass TEXpo™

The Texas Glass Association (TGA) not only raffled off a rifle, but also awarded the Lou Green Glass Professional of the Year Award during the annual Glass TEXpo™ in San Antonio last week.

Dave Helterbran of Helterbran Associates was presented with the TGA's annual Lou Green Glass Professional of the Year Award.

The TGA honored Dave Helterbran of Helterbran Associates with its annual Lou Green Glass Professional of the Year Award during its awards breakfast on Saturday morning.

"[Helterbran] has been a huge supporter of the TGA and has served as chairperson of our golf tournament for several years," says Virginia Lee, executive director of the TGA. "He is very well-liked within our community and represents a lot of major manufacturers to glaziers in Texas."

Brent Watson of Duncan Systems Inc. took home the Benelli Super Nova rifle, which the association raffled off during the event.

In addition, a team comprised of Harold Freeman, Willard White, Kyle Smith and Robert Fitzgerald of Vitro America took home first-place in Thursday's golf tournament.

One common topic during the event was the recession-or lack thereof in Texas so far.

"We've got a real strong diversification down here in the state of Texas," says Lee. "Construction is still very strong. We have a lot of companies that have work booked out through 2009, so yes, we normally don't get the recession quickly as it hits up North. We're not recession-proof by any stretch of the imagination. I'm sure it will trickle down."

But with construction still strong in this region, exhibitors found attendees interested in new products for their businesses.

Among first time exhibitors was Goldanco LLC of Henderson, Nev., which was offering information about its CarryMate® non-slip panel grips. The tool was designed to help lift up to 200 pounds of glass panels, doors, windows and other products.

LLD Glass Inc. in Houston was another first time exhibitor. The company was featuring information about its three dimensional decorative glass strip. The company says that the strip can be quickly pasted onto any glass surface to create unique patterns and designs using a UV pasting technique.

A-1 Glass Co. in Beaumont, Texas, sent three generations of glass guys-(from left) Greg, Daniel and Lou Green-to the show.	Lin Luo, general manager of LLD Glass Inc. in Houston, offered TEXpo attendees information about the company's three-dimensional decorative glass strip.

For a look at the action on the show floor, view the video below.

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