Unlocking Tremendous Value at BCMC & Framer Summit 2024
Originally Published by: SBCA Magazine — October 15, 2024
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And just like that, BCMC has come and gone, and it was a great success! With a total of 1,857 attendees walking the show floor last week, representing 91.2% of those registered, and 170 individuals registering on-site, the exhibit hall was busy for the 120+ exhibitors across more than 65,000 square feet of sold show floor space. The Baird Center in Milwaukee, WI, provided a bright and airy atmosphere for attendees and exhibitors alike, with ample windows and open space, to network, learn, and engage with others in the industry.
Beyond the show floor, BCMC & Framer Summit provided even more value with three days of education sessions featuring supplier-led and peer-led sessions with both component-manufacturer-focused and framer-focused content. With popular sessions such as Get Off Your A$$ and Sell Something, Navigating Efficiencies of Automation and Mechanization, and Artificial Intelligence Potential & Challenges for Wood Truss Design, there was something for everyone; attendees left BCMC filled with new knowledge, ideas, and practices to bring home. Additionally, both Framer Summit and Industry Roundtables were bustling with interesting conversations and discussions on a wide range of topics within the industry.
Tuesday evening concluded with the SBCA Foundation Dinner at Discovery World, where over 200 guests gathered to enjoy each other’s company, delicious food, and fun activities throughout the evening. With games of Heads & Tails, a live auction, QR code donations, and table sales’ donations, the SBCA Foundation raised a triumphant $131,050 to continue its mission of giving back to this industry. The evening didn’t stop there: to make it even more special, the SBCA Industry Awards were also presented to some very deserving people. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients of the SBCA Industry Awards.
Dick Bowman Industry Enthusiast Award: Michael Schwitter, Alpine
SBCA Leadership Award: BJ Louws, Louws Truss
Dwight Hikel Humanitarian Award: Gene Frogale, Blue Ocean Development
SBCA Hall of Fame: Gene Frogale, Blue Ocean Development
Top Chord Club Lifetime Member: Gene Frogale, Blue Ocean Development
SBCA Chapter Service Award: Norm McKenna
BCMC officially kicked off on Wednesday with its keynote speaker, the People’s Shark, Daymond John. He shared his story, working his way to the top as an entrepreneur and owner of a major clothing brand, FUBU, sharing life experiences, stories, and lessons, plus great advice along the way. He provided a meaningful and inspirational message to over 770 attendees, leaving people with hope, a renewed drive, and helpful insights.
Immediately following Daymond’s keynote, the exhibit hall opened and attendees poured onto the show floor with great excitement and anticipation to see what new and helpful resources, tools, and equipment they could find waiting for them beyond the show doors. With even more value on and off the show floor, attendees were able to connect at booths, in education sessions, roundtables, lunches, exhibitor demo rooms, the 5k, bike ride, and a successful Women in Construction breakfast.
Thursday morning began with an economic forecast provided by Zonda’s principal of building products research and advisory, Todd Tomalak. With some bumps along the way, and an expectation of improvement, this mainly positive message gave hope and insights for the future to over 600 attendees.
The show concluded with its annual Industry Celebration on Thursday afternoon. This year’s festivities included a Pinewood Derby tournament hosted by SBCA’s LaunchPad, a pickleball tournament, a bean bag toss tournament, various raffles, giveaways, and the announcement of the SBCA Innovation Grant People’s Choice Solution for 2024. Congratulations to all our winners:
Pickleball Tournament:
- Winners: Zach and Jonathan Schrock with Roof Tech Truss
- Runner-ups: Avery Radmacher and Seth Duncan with Paragon
Bean Bag Toss Tournament:
- Winners: Kent and Keith Namken with Mayfield Truss
- Runner-ups: Zach and Jonathan Schrock with Roof Tech Truss
Pinewood Derby Tournament:
- Winner: Michael Brewer with Cadwork
Lakeside Trailer's Vacation Giveaway: Cory Obbink with Engineered Truss Systems
Lakeside Trailer's Trailer Giveaway: Lowell Hofer with Community Truss
SBCA Innovation Grant People’s Choice Solution for 2024: Paragon
Join us next year for BCMC 2025 in Omaha, NE, September 29-October 3rd.