Why attending METALCON should be on your industry bucket list!

By Emma Peterson. 

If you’ve never been to a trade show of this size, don’t let it intimidate you! You do not want to miss the opportunities that these events provide. 

In 2024, METALCON was hosted in Atlanta, Georgia at the end of October. Between networking events, educational sessions, skill workshops and more, it was the place to be if you’re in the metal industry. In fact, METALCON is actually the biggest show for the metal construction industry. In this MetalCast™, Karen Edwards sat down with Judy Geller, the show director of METALCON, to talk about what makes this show so special. 

If you’ve never attended a trade show of this size, it can seem a bit intimidating. But there are lots of resources available to help you navigate the floor and have an incredible, informative experience. Judy explained, “We have a complete list of exhibitors and a map because there's really a lot going on at this show so you're going to want to take advantage of the education in the exhibit hall, check out those workshops, you're going to want to participate in that speed networking, make some connections, join the roundtables, visit those exhibitors and more.” A little bit of pre-planning and talking to those who have already attended can go a long way to make the event more accessible and approachable.  

And you shouldn’t be scared off by the number of options available at METALCON, that’s one of the reasons it is such a unique event and a must-attend for industry members. Judy explained, “We really believe that the education and the exposure to the exhibits, the industry leaders, the brain trust that's going to be presenting education and just to see and touch the equipment and the innovation that's going to be on the floor.” Coming to a collaborative, community environment like METALCON is a great way to stay up to date on the industry and the products available. And it’s not limited to the U.S. metal industry, Judy shared, “We have international attendees, and you can learn a lot. Sometimes I think we in the metal construction industry get caught up in our areas, our day-to-days. You sort of feel like you're on an island, but by connecting and meeting with professionals from different parts of the world, you can feel less alone and get resources to reach out to for help down the road.”  

Read the transcript, Listen to the episode or Watch the webinar for more about METALCON and the amazing opportunities it provides those in the metal construction industry.