Four months ago if you asked me what I would be working on the last week of July I’d say something like preparing for the upcoming in-person show issues, booking flights to Las Vegas and Dusseldorf, and catching up after a week of vacation. Only the latter is 100% accurate. And while I’m not booking any flights to anywhere, I am preparing for show issues, though they may look a little different than usual.

We saw the start of spring conferences and trade shows cancelled or postponed in March. Surely the fall events will be safe, we thought. Most of us probably figured by now we’d be transitioning back into traveling, attending or planning to attend those fall in-person events. Of course, we now know that’s not going to happen. But while we can’t be together in person, we can still stay connected. Thanks to tools such as Zoom we’ve been able to work together while staying apart. Technology is also allowing the same thing for conferences and even trade shows.

Last month we were excited to announce that USGlass magazine and GlassCon Global® have joined together to produce GlassCon Global VE-Glass Expo VE,  a new virtual event servicing the architectural glass, metal and fenestration industries. This will provide a virtual combination of the GlassCon Global educational program with the Glass Expos regional events, and is set to take place September 9-10, 2020. The program will include a complete line-up of ground-breaking seminars, and interactive virtual spaces that will allow the global community of all stakeholders to once again gather together.

In addition to the seminars, event sponsors will have virtual booth spaces where they can engage with attendees through live chat functions. Networking lounges, resource centers and other interactive avenues will also be available for participants to connect. You can check out a preview here.

Of course, networking and bonus activities are also an important part of any conference or trade show. We’ve got those covered, as well. In addition to the seminars and interactive virtual spaces, the event will also include three optional virtual events: a 5K, wine tasting and a morning meditation.

Run for Glass 5K participants will receive a custom race medal, t-shirt and printable bib.

Run for Glass VE 5K participants can choose to run or walk and will receive an authentic race medal, t-shirt and downloadable race bib. The Run for Glass VE 5K registration is separate from GlassCon Global VE-Glass Expo VE and is $35. All profits from Run for Glass VE 5K will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Participants should plan their run or walk for the morning of September 9.

And industry events aren’t complete without a happy hour. So we decided to go a step further and host our first virtual wine tasting. And not just any wine tasting … the industry’s very own sommelier, Chris Fronsoe with DeaMor, will led us through an evening of pouring, sipping and tasting. Anyone who has ever met Chris or attended one of his previous wine tastings knows how much fun this will be. I know that I am definitely looking forward to it! There is no additional charge to attend the wine tasting, though you will be responsible for purchasing your own wine. The wine tasting will take place the evening of September 9.

Chris Fronsoe with DeaMor will lead a virtual wine tasting, teaching participants how to smell, taste and drink wine like a professional.

In addition, a morning inspirational meditation and yoga class will take place the morning of September 10 from 9-9:45. Simply log into the main Auditorium and begin your day in a balanced frame of mind.

You can find more details about both the virtual 5K and wine tasting here.

Just because we are apart doesn’t mean we can’t be together. Join us for these virtual events so we can continue to learn, network, have fun and socialize together. To learn more about sponsorship and attending opportunities and to register, visit glassexpove.com.