Industry leaders from National Glass Association (NGA) member companies, Congressional members and agency officials convened in Washington, DC, on April 4 and 5 for the association’s first-ever Glass & Glazing Advocacy Day.
Policy priorities important to the architectural glass and glazing industry were at the forefront of the meeting—high-performance glazing and building resiliency, bird-friendly glazing, recycling and the circular economy, school security and registered apprenticeship programs.
NGA hosted the event as part of its year-long sponsorship and promotion of 2022 being named as the International Year of Glass by the United Nations. The event was held just prior to the American Ceramic Society’s National Day of Glass, which took place April 5 through today, to create a bigger impact for the glass industry in Washington, DC, this week.
In her opening remarks, NGA President & CEO Nicole Harris referenced the International Year of Glass by stating, “With momentum building across the globe, we wanted to take this opportunity to amplify our message here at home, with leaders in Washington, DC, to share how glass is an adaptable, sustainable, energy-efficient, strong, beautiful, safe and essential building product.”
Executives from 20 NGA member companies representing primary glass manufacturers, fabricators, suppliers, and installing companies from across the country were invited to advocate on behalf of their businesses, the NGA and the industry.
“We had a terrific turnout of member companies, legislators, and agency officials,” stated Harris. “We’re inspired by what happened here; being able to tell our story, get these important conversations started and make lasting connections.”