GLASSTEC VIRTUAL - THE NEW ONLINE FORMAT CONNECTS THE SECTOR AND ENABLES VIRTUAL NETWORKING The alternative dates for glasstec have already been established. From 15 to 18 June 2021 the global No. 1 trade fair will again become the innovation and information platform for the entire glass industry. The exhibitors who have already registered can use an entirely new digital service for glasstec in autumn this year. glasstec VIRTUAL connects the sector and offers many new features for both exhibitors and visitors. By launching glasstec VIRTUAL from 20 to 22 October as a leading digital event, Messe Düsseldorf extends its portfolio of services. The new format consists of the three segments Exhibition Space, Networking Plaza and Conference Area. This allows exhibitors to maintain and extend their business relations on the market. Additional tools such as virtual product presentations and new interactive options make it possible to address target groups in an optimised way and generate potential leads. “Save the October dates in your agenda for glasstec VIRTUAL and use this opportunity to stay connected with the international glass industry,” says Birgit Horn, Director glasstec.
THE THREE SEGMENTS OF GLASSTEC VIRTUAL Exhibition Space The Exhibitor Showroom offers many additional new features to attract potential customers’ attention as early as eight months before glasstec. Effective immediately, product videos can be uploaded and web sessions offered. You can make contact with the participants either interactively via the chat option during the event or after the event directly and conveniently using the Matchmaking Tool. Furthermore, the exhibitor receives the contact details of all registered participants. After the event the exhibitors’ presentations will be made available to the glasstec community for further reference. The Showroom also brings the option of continued exposure with other advertising and communication materials alongside product information and data entries. Networking Plaza The new Matchmaking Tool allows you to establish direct contact with potentially interested parties by requesting special fields of interest and extensive filter functions. After making an appointment, personal conversations can be held via audio or video calls in a virtual room. Conference Area Accompanying the event from 20 to 22 October glasstec VIRTUAL will offer free expert lectures from the glasstec conference with a reference to globally trending themes. Participants will be able to interact with speakers and follow the talks from all over the world. The detailed programme and information for participation will be published in September. In addition, the trade journal Glass Worldwide will organise two panel discussions. The sessions will address the current, global market situation in the flat and container glass industries. More information about the conference programme can be found here: virtual.glasstec.de/trendtopics Access to these extra ranges of glasstec VIRTUAL is automatically available to all exhibitors registered for the trade fair next year. For visitors, participation in glasstec VIRTUAL is free of charge. For more information on the event go to: virtual.glasstec-online.com
www.glassnews.co.uk | September 2020
LETTERS
YOUR LETTERS
TRADE NEWS
WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Feel free to get in touch with your views on the industry, legislation, government, or even the newspaper. Contact Chris: chris@glassnews.co.uk
GREEN HOMES GRANT – UPDATE Dear Editor, The latest news in the Green Homes Grant (GHG) is that there is little change for replacement windows, as we predicted openly in our members forum on social media. We were 99 percent sure this would be the outcome, as the indications in conversations we had been having with Government was looking like grant money would only be available for single glazed windows. There is still an opportunity with energy efficient entrance doors, but this too could be slim pickings as it is a secondary measure, and proof of insulation is likely to be required before this will be eligible. However, there is no reason to be negative about this. We now have our knees under the table at these meetings, and it’s likely that the next tranches of grant money will be more favourable to the glazing sector if we continue to position ourselves correctly. For many years, the industry has not been represented in cross trade talks. That is because previous contact with Government had removed glazing from involvement with bodies such as the Construction Leadership Council on the basis that glazing was not part of construction. This may have saved some large glazing businesses from paying into CITB levy, but it has left us somewhat isolated and away from many funded skills initiatives. Of course, this meant every battle had to be fought against the other trades, rather than as a construction collective.
Since I have been at Certass Trade Association, I have spent a lot of my energy building the relationships with other heads of trade organisations to get us seen as part of the construction group by Government. These were long term measures, and we can see that they are starting to take effect. We were included by Government in discussions around COVID-19 and GHG, and this looks like it will bring us closer into future conversations and consultations. Less than 3 percent of homes in England gain from the GHG, and that leaves 97 percent of homes available for the next initiative. Discussions are already happening, and we are part of those. Nothing concrete has been decided, but the fact we are part of the discussion is a big step forward. At Certass TA, we knew through early stages of coronavirus that any knee jerk reactions would cause members more hardship and extra cost, at a time they when they could ill afford it. Government changes were coming thick and fast, so when we interpreted Government guidance, we aimed to give it a measured and thoughtful response. Where we needed further clarification, we sought it out directly with Government ministers and civil servants to ensure the information given to members was the best it could be. It worked, in hindsight our predictions have been shown to be correct and our members given the right advice at the right time. Certass TA is backing the industry, we see that being part of conversations will mean bigger benefits to everyone in glazing, and while GHG has been an unnecessary distraction for many companies, collectively we are likely to reap bigger and better rewards in the future. Yours sincerely, Jon Vanstone Chairman Certass Trade Association
23
