METALCON International, which takes place October 9-11, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill., offers a number of programs focused on metal’s role in sustainable design. It is the only annual trade show and conference focused on the application of metal in industrial, institutional, light commercial and residential building projects.

Additionally, Walls & Ceilings and its sister publication Roofing Contractor will be producing a show daily on October 9, which will cover news from the showroom.

The annual trade show and event also highlights sustainable products and ideas. In Green Island, an exhibit area featuring metal-related products that meet green building standards, visitors can keep current with advancements in green technology, products and tax incentives for their projects. They can learn retrofit techniques and see insulation, cool roofing, coatings, photovoltaic technology, process controls and software products designed to conserve energy, all helpful for earning LEED certification.

Solar Bay is a special pavilion where solar technology meets metal in rooftop-mounted solar power systems, solar heat recovery systems on roof and walls, solar-thermal water heating technologies and information about federal, state and local solar energy funding incentives are featured in this 4,000 square-foot arena.

This pavilion offers educational forums and Solar Bay Live where world-renowned experts present live-action demos using full-scale mock-ups of various solar technologies on metal roofs and walls. These specialists offer tips about metal roofing and solar technologies and show why this combination is the perfect energy solution. Solar Bay is the only place where experts and product engineers from both industries demonstrate the best methodologies to integrate solar technology into projects.

The show’s conference program also includes sessions related to sustainable design. A new education format offers more in-depth learning opportunities in the classroom and on the exhibit floor. It moves from a traditional 1.5-hour multi-track program to 3-hour sessions tailored to specific disciplines. Attendees at each full session can earn 3 hours of AIA Learning Units and Professional Development Hours.

A comprehensive look at metal applications for green building strategies is offered in a special program for architects, “Expanding Your Vision, Opportunities with Metal”, on October 9. Peter Pfieffer, FAIA, of Barney Pfeiffer Architects, Austin, Texas joins Mike McGrath, president MG McGrath Inc., Maplewood, Minn., in presenting this session. It also covers the movement toward sustainable building enclosure systems and why metal is the one go-to solution for entire building envelope systems including roof, wall, and fenestration.

Insulated metal panels, known for their superior thermal efficiency, are featured in a comprehensive session on October 10. Titled “Capture Your Part of the Growing Insulated Metal Panel Market with the Right Applications, Products and Techniques,” the session is sponsored by the Metal Building Institute and presented by Steve Webster, president of Dutton & Garfield, Inc., Hampstead, N.H., and Ken Buchinger, Vice President of Business Development and Research & Development for MBCI, Houston.

Sessions on retrofit – the ultimate in recycling and reuse- will be held on October 8-9 and 10. Tuesday’s program, “Tired of Your Roof From Hell?” is presented by Scott Kriner, LEED AP, president of Green Metal Consulting Inc., Macungie, Pa., and Chuck Howard, PE, president, Metal Roof Consultants Inc., Cary, N.C. On Wednesday, Chuck Howard presents another retrofit program “Metal Roof Retrofit: Use the KISS Method.”

METALCON draws designers, builders, developers, contractors, fabricators, and suppliers from more than 52 countries. Experts from 300 companies exhibit the latest products and technology and share their knowledge with attendees, while industry specialists present key topics in the education program. Specialists from the Metal Construction Association also present the latest applications and field techniques in daily demonstrations in the exhibit hall.

For more information visit, www.metalcon.com