COVID-19 dealt two more blows to the trade show calendar as both METALCON and the International Roofing Expo (IRE) announced show reschedulings.

METALCON essentially cancelled its October 2020 event set for Las Vegas, announcing that it had rescheduled to the usual time set for Oct. 6-8, 2021, in Tampa, Florida.

For attendees and exhibitors who had already registered for the 2020 event—planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary—registrations will automatically be applied to METALCON 2021. For those unable to commit to the rollover, you are asked to contact the METALCON team at [email protected].

The IRE, meanwhile has been moved two months, from Feb. 2021 to April 14-16, 2021. Like METALCON, it had been scheduled to be held in Las Vegas. It will remain there, hosted by the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Exhibiting companies for IRE are not required to take any action with the new dates, as everything will automatically transfer to April.

NEW METALCON PLANS

In place of the 2020 event, three new initiatives are being launched:

1. METALCON Safety Certificate Program for both supervisors and foremen in the metal construction industry, leading to an annual credential.

2. METALCON Business Development Program, featuring education and training in all aspects of business, from technical to business to sales, via a series of virtual seminars leading to a certificate awarded at METALCON 2021.

3. METALCON Live! New “Industry Briefs” featuring industry leaders who will provide up-to-date information on what is happening in today’s marketplace.

NEW IRE PLANS

The team at the International Roofing Expo said their plans were set early after ongoing discussions with key stakeholders, and with full support from the NRCA and the International Roofing Expo team.

“We understand how important the International Roofing Expo is to the industry and the need to stay informed and connected,” said Ray Giovine, Group Director for Informa Markets and the International Roofing Expo. “There is a lot of effort that goes into preparation of events, so we wanted to provide our exhibitors, speakers, attendees, and partners with ample notice to adjust plans.”

The IRE will adapt Informa AllSecure at the April 2021 event to ensure safety, hygiene, cleanliness, and quality standards are met for operating events. RF

Originally published as “METALCON, IRE Announce Event Reschedulings, Cancellations” Fall 2020 issue Rollforming Magazine.