With live events being given the green light to return, organisers of the Glazing Summit are set to ramp things up for what will be a must-attend event.

Taking place on Thursday, October 21 at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference Centre, Birmingham, the annual conference will bring together industry leaders for a day-long series of panel debates, discussions, and networking with experts.

And the event can’t come soon enough, according to Andrew Scott, founder of the Glazing Summit and CEO of organisers Insight Data and Purplex Marketing.

“Being able to put our full focus into the Glazing Summit is fantastic,” said Andrew. “The news that we can take life ‘off hold’ has never felt so good”.

“It’s also tremendous news for the industry, not least its live events calendar, which has been badly missed during the last 12 months. To be able to get together in person in 2021 and get that energy and buzz of a live event back will be brilliant as they play such a vital role in the fenestration industry.”

Perfect timing

With an unprecedented year providing some huge challenges, live events such as the Glazing Summit will be vital in helping the industry push forward.
And with the Glazing Summit set to feature debates on some of the biggest issues affecting the industry with a brand-new line-up of industry experts, after the last 12 months, there will be plenty to discuss.

Andrew said: “This has been one of the toughest years in living memory; from facing the impact of lockdown and business griding to a halt, followed by the floodgates opening to an under-prepared industry experiencing record levels of demand.

“This was then followed by the Government announcing the short-lived Green Homes Grant scheme, then a supply chain crisis, and shortages of both materials and labour. And that’s before we talk about the casualties mounting up, big and small”.

“Now more than ever we need to discuss the impact of Covid-19 within the industry and the challenges facing every fabricator, installer, glass company and component supplier. This is a huge sharing platform, and these conversations need to be had.”

Being seen and heard

Live events will also allow companies to get both themselves and their brand back out there after a year of being stuck behind a computer screen.

And the Glazing Summit features several networking opportunities throughout the day, plus the exclusive Glazing Summit Leaders Dinner and champagne reception in the evening.
“Last year may have pushed businesses online, but we must not forget the importance of face-to-face contact,” said Andrew.

“The fenestration industry has been built on face-to-face contact, with deals being done on a handshake, not over video chat, and the Glazing Summit allows you to connect with your audience and get your brand seen by the people who matter”.

“At the last Glazing Summit, we had more than 400 industry leaders, and some of the industry’s most influential people, representing more than £1 billion in combined revenue, and we’re looking to build on that this year.”

Don’t miss out

The event has already attracted some big-name sponsors including Unique Window Systems, who are sponsoring the Leaders Dinner.

Industry giants Yale, Reynaers Aluminium, Edgetech, and ODL Europe, who will be sponsoring the Champagne Reception, have also been confirmed, as well as the likes of Window Ware, Shelforce, AluFold Direct (lanyard sponsors), Caribbean Blinds, Glazpart, R W Simon, Carl F Groupco Limited, the Council for Aluminium in Building, MACO, Vertik-Al, Chase Taylor, AluFoldDirect, R W Simon, Glass times, and Building Products Magazine.

It’s set to be a sell-out as companies make up for lost time, with tickets already selling fast.

“The Glazing Summit attracts companies from across the whole glass and glazing sector, including installers, fabricators and suppliers, so there is a great chance to connect with new customers,” added Andrew.

“After a year of restrictions, the industry is bursting with ideas, innovations and developments and having the opportunity to come together in a safe, professional setting to discuss them and connect with like-minded industry leaders is one companies cannot afford to miss out on.”