More than 6,500 contractors, engineers and architects from all over the world attended MetalCon in Las Vegas, Oct. 23 to 25, 2001. The international event focuses on the needs of metal construction professionals in residential, light commercial, roofing, and metal buildings, as well as the architectural and design-build industries. It is sponsored by the Metal Construction Association, whose mission is to expand the use of metal in construction through marketing, technology and education. A comprehensive educational program and a series of live-action demonstrations fill out the learning experience.

At the Las Vegas show, a steel-framed structure built inside the exhibit hall focused on the trend toward merging applications. The mixed-use structure showed how light-gauge steel framing is being used for multi-story and multi-family structures in today’s markets.

While the number of visitors at the show was less than last year, those who came were intent on doing business. “We’re very pleased with the turnout and so are our exhibitors. In August we were 15 percent ahead of last year based on pre-show registrations, and then the events of September 11 set everyone back. But the determination of this industry and our country to not let that stop us were evident at this show. The American spirit and the push to do business were obvious wherever you went at MetalCon. Those who came were serious about doing business,” said Show Manager Claire Kilcoyne.