The focus was on technology this year at the 2010 Trade Show of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association SMACNA of Chicago, held March 30 at Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. According to Tony Adolfs, Executive Director of SMACNA Chicago, Building Information Modeling technology was featured in exhibits and was an especially popular topic of conversation at the event. “BIM technology is growing in popularity and is the wave of the future,” said Adolfs. BIM is a process that generates and manages building data for the life of the structure, using real-time, three-dimensional building modeling software. “BIM technology is something that every contractor needs to explore,” Adolfs said. Adolfs also noted that attendance at the 2010 Trade Show was up from 2009. “We had a great crowd this year,” he said, “with more than 2,375 attendees.”
“The trade show provides an excellent venue for both networking and learning more about the latest industry advances,” said SMACNA Chicago President, James Cesak of Tal-Mar Custom Metal. “Through our trade show and all of our interactions with our contractors, we strive to keep their businesses on the competitive edge.” SMACNA Chicago’s membership includes approximately 250 contractors who employ nearly 3,000 sheet metal workers in the Chicago area. Through educational programs and industry-specific committees, the association works alongside member contractors to improve their businesses and elevate the sheet metal industry. For more information on SMACNA Chicago, visit www.smacnachicago.org.
