Glass TEXpo™ 06 Wraps Up

With seminars drawn to a close and booths packed up, many Glass TEXpo '06 attendees left San Antonio with a better understanding of the glass industry and a stronger commitment to their state association. These two messages were important throughout the show, which ran from April 7-8.

The event, co-sponsored by the Texas Glass Association USGlass magazine, was held in the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio.

Following two full mornings of seminars on architectural, automotive glass and management tracks, the tradeshow ran with steady traffic for exhibitors.

"We've had a good show," said Eric Hermann, chief financial officer of Friedman Corp. TEXpo attendees had a chance to preview demos of the exhibitor's quote management information systems (QMIS) software for dealers, subcontractors and material suppliers. The software is designed to manage the sales process from quotation to final invoice. David King, with sales for Texas Tempered Glass Inc. of Houston, said that he'd received several quality leads at the expo.

"We got some real good responses," said King. "We were very pleased."

The company was offering information on its new laminated hurricane glass in thicknesses of 5/16-, 7/16- and 9/16-inch. Displays in the booth showed off the decorative options for the product.

Steve Coyle with Performance Achievement Group drew large crowds to the auto glass replacement demonstrations that took place on both days. Using cars and windshields donated by Pilkington, tools supplied by Equalizer and AEGIS and adhesives from Shat-R-Proof, Coyle demonstrated best practices for a well installed windshield. Jay Burman with Craftsman also drew a large crowd with his seminar on the show floor on heavy glass shower doors.

As the trade show wound down on Friday, TGA president Jerry Wright of AAA Glass welcomed attendees with his comments on the importance of participation in the associations. Following his address, Jerry Bissey of PPG, took the podium to recognize Bob Lawrence, president of Craftsman Fabricated Glass, for his contributions to the relief efforts following Hurricane Rita. Lawrence had used the company's trucks to transport and distribute goods such as generators to victims of the hurricane.

CLICK HERE to read Bob Lawrence's account of the relief efforts following Hurricane Rita.
CLICK HERE to read Vickie Stewart's response to Lawrence's relief efforts.

"There were several hundred families that were helped during this time," said Bissey. Also recognized was Donald Day of Texas Glass and Tinting in Victoria, Texas. The association's Lou Green Award, which honors an outstanding professional in the glass industry, was accepted on his behalf.

Attendees found not only answers to their questions about new products, but also some fun from door prizes sponsored by Palmer Mirro-Mastics, Arch Aluminum and Glass, Equalizer Industries and GTS Services to Friday's Casino Night hosted by the TGA. Craftsman Fabricated Glass sponsored Friday evening's cocktail party.

Glass TEXpo '08 will return to the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio.