Facing Challenges

NY Build is able to put on a very active show through a subdued atmosphere.

by Matthew Jackson, EW Correspondent

Against the backdrop of the growing spread of the coronavirus — a situation that was just starting to give the average person pause — the NY Build tradeshow took place on March 3-4 at the Javits Center in NYC. The venue seemed eerily subdued, with NY Build being the only tradeshow operating within the exhibition halls. Still, the show was very active, with most aisles crowded by a mix of seasoned sales and management professionals. The elevator industry was well-represented by supplier and contractor organizations, and ELEVATOR WORLD was prominently displayed in the Media Center.

As in years past, NY Build 2020 was notable for the many integrated, innovative educational programs presented right on the show floor, amid the vendor displays. Whether it be a discussion of new technologies, a talk on compliance with NYC Department of Buildings regulations or the insights of a featured industry speaker, there was a lot going on.

This year, talk was dominated by safety, and many of the exhibitors were promoting products in this area.

Another trend carried on this year was NY Build’s open embrace of workforce diversity and its place in the construction industry and trades. This was evident in the fact that many of the program topics, which were introduced throughout the hall in 20- to 30-min cycles, were led by women. Also notable was the fact that there were at least six or seven different areas set up on the floor to promote educational topics. Past shows seemed to focus on energy savings or bedbug detection. This year, talk was dominated by safety, and many of the exhibitors were promoting products in this area.

Bulkheads and sealed doors and entranceways were also popular products, due to heavy storms and other extreme weather experienced in the NYC area in recent years. But the trendsetting product this year was construction drones, which are finding their usefulness in a number of areas, from layouts, to cranes and equipment, to façade inspections and more.

Though the full magnitude of the coronavirus situation was, perhaps, not readily apparent to the typical visitor, the organizers of NY Build did a fine job of preparing the hall. Many exhibitors offered disinfectant products as promotional giveaways, and cleaning products were prominently displayed, which made for a somewhat unusual event.