trade report

Pre-Season Prep
The 6th World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show & Conference helps industry prepare for seasons ahead.

Months before the 2008 hurricane season got started, the hurricane protection industry was already preparing for what forecasters expect to be a busy season.

More than 1,000 industry professionals gathered April 25 and 26 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, for the sixth annual World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show and Conference presented by Hurricane Protection magazine. Offering two days of exhibits, a day-and-a-half of educational seminars and numerous networking opportunities, the show was another successful event bringing together dealers, installers, manufacturers, suppliers and others in the industry.

GETTING STARTED
The first official event was hosted the evening before the exhibit hall and seminars opened. On Thursday manufacturers, suppliers and vendors exhibiting on the trade show floor were invited to a reception held by HP magazine. To the island sound of steel drums, industry representatives ducked inside out of a sudden downpour for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

The business end of the World of Hurricane Protection got started Friday morning with an open panel discussion of the impact of building codes and product approval on the industry. All conference attendees were invited to attend and ask questions of a panel of experts. The panel included Joe Belcher, president-owner JDB Code Services Inc.; Bob Boyer, codes products and training coordinator of unincorporated Palm Beach County (FL) and president of the Florida Building Officials Association; Jaime Gascon, chief building code compliance officer, product control division, Miami-Dade County (FL); Phil McMahan, regional manager of Florida’s International Code Council; and William York, WHYork Consulting, Inc.

The trade show floor opened following the panel. This year more than 60 exhibits were present from all facets of the industry including shutter panels, accordion and rolling shutters, tools, fasteners, building products, impact-resistant windows and doors, motor systems, wind abatement screens, protective screening, sales and inventory software, flood water protection and many products allied to hurricane safety, protection and mitigation. The exhibits also included representatives from industry associations including the Institute for Business and Home Safety and the International Code Council.

That afternoon, the first round of seminars was presented by a faculty of 10 industry instructors. Topics this year covered measuring techniques and approval drawings; motorizing shutters; copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property; and hurricane testing and research documents.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
In addition to a full day for the exhibit hall, Saturday offered attendees a full slate of seminars providing accredited Continuing Educational Learning Units. These units can be applied to the continuing education requirements for state contractor’s license. The sessions covered significant changes to the Florida Building Code impacting the hurricane protection industry, mitigation and code-plus programs, impact protective coverings and wind-borne debris protection. Sessions also covered business-building topics including looking beyond windows for storm protection and workman’s comp and business practices.