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Author: Laura McDonald Stewart, RID, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP - METROCON Show Manager
If you were not at Dallas Market Hall on August 9 & 10, then you missed out on an amazing opportunity to learn from and connect with 2,200+ members of the built environment representing 1,065 companies.
The event, which is the largest not-for-profit, self-produced, volunteer-driven, design specification-focused regional expo and conference in the USA, celebrated 16 years of industry collaboration and attracted 55 event sponsors, more than any other year in the event’s history.
For the second year in a row, the USGBC Texas Chapter joined forces with four other associations to plan and execute a more expansive event for members and beyond: (in alphabetical order) ASID Texas Chapter, ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, CSI Dallas Chapter, and NEWH Dallas Chapter.
METROCON18 showcased 160 Exhibitors representing 211 manufacturers, service providers, and organizations representing all practice areas and market segments, and it attracted interior designers, architects, specifiers, facility managers, students, and a myriad of other essential design industry members from Texas, Oklahoma, and 22 other states across the USA.
METROCON18 brought together interior designers, architects, facility managers, students, and a myriad of other essential design industry members representing 1,065 companies.
ESSENTIAL & EXCITING EDUCATION
This year’s conference delivered 51 hours of premium programming on timely topics presented by 62 industry experts. Offerings included two Seminars, two Student Programs, five tours, a Keynote that doubled as a CEU, and 40 other continuing education courses. All CEUs were IDCEC-approved and qualified as CEPHs to meet requirements for Registered Interior Designers and Architects for the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, and many also were approved by AIA, EDAC, and GBCI.
Keynote Address: Sustainability champion Steve Glenn delivered the keynote address. An über entrepreneur, he is the Founder & Managing Director of LivingHomes and the CEO of Plant Prefab, companies that work together to design and develop modern, prefabricated homes that combine world-class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to healthy and sustainable construction. Glenn discussed the opportunities and challenges of prefabrication and the strategies he uses to create LEED Platinum level homes for all strata of society.
Keynote Speaker Steve Glenn of LivingHomes and Plant Prefab spoke about his commitment to healthy and sustainable construction.
Continuing Education: Although many CEUs received rave reviews, two courses that proved popular with this year’s audience were:
- “Dare to Strive for Market Transformation: The Future of Material Health & Transparency” presented by Mary Dickinson, RID, Assoc. AIA, LEED BD+C, a Regional Sustainable Design Leader and Co-Director of the Perkins+Will Material Performance Lab.
- “2018 IBC: Important Changes to Come!” presented by Warren Bonisch, P.E., an Associate Principal of Fire Protection w/ WJE Fire Protection.
STANDOUT SUPPORTERS
The planning Committee wholeheartedly thanks Landmark Sponsor Dallas Market Center, Media Sponsor Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, and the 53 other METROCON18 Sponsors, as well as all of this year’s Exhibitors, for their incredible support. Some Exhibitors stood out among the rest. Congratulations to the recipients of the 2018 Pegasus Exhibitor Awards!
- Best of the Best Award – WAC Lighting / Modern Forms
- Lean & Green Award – Urban Woods Company
- Allstar Award – TreeHouse / Dunn Edwards
- Sizzle Award – Empressive GeoDesigns
- Instagram-Worthy Award – LDF Silk
- Mission Award – ASID Texas / ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapters
Keynote Speaker Steve Glenn of LivingHomes and Plant Prefab spoke about his commitment to healthy and sustainable construction.
NEW IDEAS
From a more open trade show floor plan with expanded visibility to an altered show schedule to benefit both attendees and exhibitors, METROCON implemented many new ideas based on last year’s post-show survey feedback.
Design Charrette: We hosted our first charrette at this year’s event. We reached out to regional interior design and architecture programs, asking them to nominate up to four students to participate in this invitation-only opportunity. Three teams were recognized, with each member of the 1st Place team receiving a $250 Gift Card for school supplies. Congratulations to the winning team [Team 4] made up of the following students:
- Allison Ray – El Centro College
- Beatriz Perez – Texas State University
- Shane Smith – University of North Texas
Team 4 representing El Centro College, Texas State University, and the University of North Texas won 1st Place in METROCON’s inaugural Design Charrette.
Community Involvement: As this is the Year of the Dog, it inspired us to work with non-profit organization Straydog, a no-kill dog shelter and sanctuary in the Dallas area. Their primary mission was to raise awareness about the important work they do and encourage the adoption of dogs looking for safe and loving homes. However, we were happy to help them with their second mission: seeking resources to construct a new building to serve dogs in need. (This new collaboration got the attention of Dallas television channel The CW33, who joined us the first day of the show and ran a short segment on their 9:00 PM news hour that evening.) If you are interested in donating services, time, products and/or money to help Straydog’s cause, contact them directly through their website, Straydog.org
PLAN NOW TO BE A PART OF METROCON19!
Mark your calendar now: METROCON19 Expo & Conference will take place in Dallas on August 8 & 9, 2019. Visit metroconexpo.org to find links to view photos and statistics from this year’s show and to sign up to receive notifications to stay informed about attending, presenting, sponsoring, and exhibiting at next year’s event!
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