METALCON will expand its Design District education program for its 2026 event, adding sessions focused on embodied carbon, building codes, adaptive reuse and market trends affecting the metal construction industry.

The Design District @ METALCON will take place Oct. 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Organizers said the program is designed to help architects, designers, engineers and specifiers address issues related to sustainability, compliance, material performance and building resilience.

Featured Design District Sessions: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

The Hidden Carbon in Metal Buildings – 10:30 a.m.

Vincent Sagan of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association and Amanda Turner of Cornerstone Building Brands will examine embodied carbon in metal building systems, including material selection, manufacturing impacts, EPDs and integrated design strategies.

Industry Outlook: Metal Construction Code Updates – What's Changed and What It Means –1:30 p.m.

Bill Beals of Therm-All, Paul Deffenbaugh of Deep Brook Media and Bob Zabcik of Z-Tech Consulting will break down recent and upcoming code changes affecting metal construction and what they mean for design, specification, fabrication and installation.

MasterClass: Shipping Container Upcycling – Opportunities and Challenges with Supply Chain Connected Modular Steel Units – 3:00 p.m.

Stephen Bender, architect and instructor at the University of Florida, will explore how upcycled shipping containers can become adaptable, cost-effective building solutions while navigating sustainability, supply chain, code and project delivery challenges.

Featured Design District Sessions: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries – 9:00 a.m.

Kermit Baker, former chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, will examine the economic forces shaping project activity, demand, pipeline trends and sector growth.

Industry Outlook: 2027 – The Future of Metal Construction – 10:30 a.m.

Kermit Baker, Jeff Henry of the Metal Construction Association and Vincent Sagan of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association will discuss the economic, supply chain, regulatory and jobsite forces shaping metal construction through 2027.

Why Metal Wins – 12:00 p.m.

Brent Schipper will explore why metal continues to be selected for performance, resilience, sustainability, aesthetics, durability, recyclability and design flexibility.

Metal in Adaptive Reuse: Crafting Community, Transparency and Identity Through Design-Build – 1:30 p.m.

Debra Wilson of Interstruct Orlando, LLC will use two design-build case studies to show how reclaimed and newly applied metal systems can support adaptive reuse, transparency, texture, durability and community-focused design.

Architectural Metal Plate Systems: Durable Design for Today's Buildings – 3:00 p.m.

John Scornse of ATAS International, Inc. will examine how solid metal plate systems support design flexibility, durability, fire resistance, complex forms, finish options and high-performance building envelopes.

"Design professionals are being asked to make increasingly complex decisions about materials, performance, sustainability and compliance," said Judy Geller, vice president of tradeshows at METALCON. "The Design District gives them direct access to the education, experts and real-world applications they need to make those decisions with confidence."

Attendees will also have access to METALCON keynote presentations, networking events and additional educational sessions offered during the show.