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Windoor 2015: Kickstarting an institution

For 20 years, Windoor has delivered Canada’s best opportunity for the window and door industry and its suppliers to come together for deal-making, networking and education.

It’s a string of success that any show in North America would be proud of. Yet last year, standing on a buzzing show floor while a winter storm raged outside, Fenestration Canada president, Skip Maclean, said, “I want a completely new Windoor.”

Skip’s statement reflects the present reality that every show has to evolve in response to changing industry needs and to give attendees something new and fresh in their experience. That’s why the Windoor volunteer committee surveyed attendees and has incorporated their feedback into a wholesale revamp of almost every aspect of the show. There were no sacred cows in this process, and the result is changes to just about everything from the seminar program to the layout to the hours.

10-minute spotlight
Exhibitors that have something to say to the industry will get centre stage for a maximum 10-minute time slot to showcase their newest technologies, hot new products and outstanding services. It’s a chance for you to sit back, sip a beverage, and hear straight from the horse’s mouth about the latest and greatest.

Fenestration Canada education seminars
Knowledge is power in today’s economy, so Fenestration Canada has once again put together an outstanding program of thought-provoking business information. The “man-behind-the-curtain” format is gone and the stage is now centered in the hall to encourage casual passers-by to listen in and maybe wander over and sit down.

This year’s show will feature a tip-of-the hat to the exhibitors promoting innovation. The FenCan Innovation Station – centrally located for everyone to swoon over – will feature top new products with a big emphasis on the “new.”

Star-powered keynote
What better way to get warmed up for Windoor 2015 than with inspiring words from a local great like Michael “Pinball” Clemons? Clemons will be taking his talk hard to the centre stage, a new area located in the middle of the show. Beside the stage is the lunch area, which has been drastically reduced in size, and a second refreshment/meeting centre will be featured near the entry. We are playfully calling this area the FenZone in honour of Clemons’ incredible CFL football career. You simply have to meet this five-foot-six-inches-tall man who survived 12 seasons playing for the Toronto Argos and has had his jersey retired by the team.

Since leaving the field to join the Argos’ front office, Clemons has emerged as one of the most dynamic and entertaining speakers you will ever see. Windoor invites everyone to get down to the show at 4 p.m. on the Tuesday for a big drink of the Clemonade. Now that’s refreshing.

New show hours
Thursday afternoons at Windoor have been painfully quiet and slow in the past. So Windor has shortened the day on Thursday and will now start the show earlier to help avoid morning traffic. Those late afternoon dead hours have been traded for an early morning program, guaranteed to start your day with some serious insight.  

 Windoor breakfast with Warren Jestin
Having wet your whistle with the Clemonade on Tuesday, you’ll want to finish with something more substantial on the last day of the show.  Thursday morning, at 8 a.m., join Warren Jestin, Scotiabank senior vice-president and chief economist, for a Windoor breakfast and some penetrating insight into Canada’s economic outlook to go with your bacon and eggs. Jestin is one of Canada’s top economic researchers, and your chance to hear his presentation is free with your ticket to the show.