Fenestration Day™ - March 16

Attention Door and Window Manufacturers Be Part of GEMS' First Ever Fenestration Day
If you're an owner, plant manager or marketing manager you'll want to attend the educational sessions tailored specifically for fenestration manufacturers on Tuesday, March 16.

Specific Steps to Take Toward Being Green - Sponsored by Truseal
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Everyone in the industry talks about green and environmental responsibility, but this panel discussion will offer specific examples of what some door and window manufacturers are doing toward this end. The speakers include representatives from the following companies who were both nominated in DWM magazine's green awards as green manufacturers.

Speaker: Northeast Building Products operations manager Eric Gerstenbacher. Northeast Building Products, based in Philadelphia, employs a variety of green initiatives and continually seeks more ways to be environmentally responsible. Gerstenbacher spearheaded the company's green initiative and will share some elements of the company's green journey from which other manufacturers can learn.

Speaker: BF Rich, Wilmington, Del. BF Rich is another green nominee that is known for its quest toward environmental responsibility and a company representative will share details from its green journey as well.

Speaker: Mike Gilkey, owner, Gilkey Window Co.

DOE to Reveal Latest Updates - Sponsored by PPG
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Never before has energy played such a key role for door and window manufacturers. Hear the DOE's latest activities as it pertains to DOE research as well as the latest updates regarding ENERGY STAR®, and the DOE's integrated programs to transform the market to triple pane (R5) windows to achieve zero energy buildings in mixed and cold climates. Updates on the stimulus activity will also be provided.

Speaker: Marc LaFrance, Department of Energy.

Learn How the Lead Paint Regulations Will Affect You and Your Dealers - Sponsored by Lawrence Industries
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
The EPA's new lead paint regulations mean major changes to door and window dealers. Manufacturers need to learn the facts of this program so when dealers ask questions you can be prepared to answer them. This session will give details of the program as well as tips for disseminating the information.

Speaker: Tyson Schwartz, vice president of sales and marketing for Gorell Windows and Doors and Jim Lett, president of Abe Windows and Doors.

How Window Manufacturers Can Overcome the Challenges of Today's Market - Sponsored by WTS Paradigm
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Be sure to attend this event to hear from a door and window industry expert for how manufacturers can survive in today's competitive market with a special emphasis on the next 18 months.

Speaker: Michael Collins, vice president of the Building Products Group at Jordan, Knauff and Co.

Keynote: Learn How to Manage All Ages - From Youth to Golden Agers
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This session will educate attendees regarding the five age groups in the workplace, their traditional values and their differing views on the role of managers, employer/employee loyalty, etc. Learn ways of communicating that deliver the same message in ways that each group understands and responds to. Be sure to capitalize on this chance to help cultivate the employees you have by understanding what motivates them.

Speaker: Marilyn Moats Kennedy, of Career Strategies and author of Office Politics: Seizing Power/Wielding Clout.

Lobbying Your Legislators: What You Need to Know
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
It's always been important to get to know your elected officials, no matter what your profession, but never has that been as important for the fenestration industry as it is now. With energy issues taking a higher priority and manufacturers facing more and more challenges, it is important to know your elected officials.

Speaker: DWM editor and publisher Tara Taffera will offer an overview of lobbying efforts and what manufacturers need to know, including how to get elected officials to visit your plant, how to schedule a congressional visit and other important issues.

Speaker: Daryl Huber, president of the Northeast Window and Door Association, who also works for BF Rich in Wilmington, Del., will offer first-hand advice that will be helpful to manufacturers. The NWDA has hosted several successful Washington Fly-in events for its members. In fact, in 2009, NWDA members met with Sen. Olympia Snowe's office concerning the .30/.30 requirements as outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Avoiding 'Green' Liability Issues
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
With everyone throwing around words like green and recycled content, what many may not know is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is actually watching. Learn what you can and cannot say in your promotional materials. Learn valuable information as to what is and is not acceptable when it comes to promoting your company's green attributes.

Speaker: Steven Baker, director of the Midwest region of the FTC's Division of Enforcement.