Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, committees and board of directors will meet throughout the day. All meetings (except board of directors) are open to all attendees.

Keynote speaker James Burke will set the stage by bridging the gap between today and the future, addressing trends to meet the challenge of change, and discussing what window, door and skylight manufacturers can look forward to in the next ten years.

James Burke wrote and produced numerous PBS and BBC science/history/technology series, including Connections and Connections 2, London, United Kingdom

Both the demographics and the psychographics of the American people are rapidly changing. Our population continues to age as boomers reach retirement. Boomers, in fact, turn 60 at the rate of one every eight seconds. And women have taken dominant positions as decisions maker. Learn how these changes are pushing the demand for technologically-advanced, consumer-friendly products and multi-gender marketing.

Warren Nesbitt, Group Publisher, Hanley Wood LLC, Washington, DC
Marti Barletta, Founder & CEO, The TrendSight Group, Winnetka, IL

This live on-stage focus group of top builders, architects and new home thinkers will discuss the home of the future. What will homes be like in 2020? Will they be self-sufficient, i.e. net-zero-energy consuming? How are they changing now? Are homes getting smaller? What design changes, what product and technology trends do these pros expect? What do they want? How should window/door manufacturers react? Listen to these new home experts and find out how to meet the future head-on.

Bill Lurz, Senior Editor, Business, Professional Builder Magazine, Sarasota, FL

James Riviello, AIA, Partner, The Martin Architectural Group P.C., Philadelphia, PA
Jeff Lake, Senior Principal, Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Newport Beach, CA
Jack Miller, VP Sales, Drees Homes, Crestview Hills, KY
Tim Hernandez, Principal, New Urban Communities, Delray Beach, FL
Alan Simonini, Principal, Simonini Builders, Charlotte, NC

The demand for sustainable building is accelerating and the competition among green rating systems is intensifying. Green issues impact each of our materials. This session discusses green trends; documents what a home builder can and cannot use to meet sustainable building requirements; explores possible green standards to reference or develop; and offers ideas on how to enhance environmental stewardship, work within LEED/GBI, and make our products green friendly.

Rob Cassidy, Editor, BD&C Magazine, Oakbrook, IL.
Gregory Franta, Principal Architect, Rocky Mountain Institute, Boulder, CO
Dennis Creech, Executive Director, Southface Energy Institute, Atlanta, GA

Learn about wind and water management insurance issues and proactive product/system responses to the lessons from Katrina as studies of hurricane damage and the effect of new codes advance the science of building and make homes safer. The codes have also leaned toward active, rather than passive fire control systems - a significant impediment to fire door business. Find out how this tendency is evolving, both from the view of a state fire marshal and from an industry perspective.

Tim Reinhold, Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering,
Institute for Business and Home Safety, Tampa, FL
Bert Polk, South Carolina State Fire Marshall (retired), Columbia, SC
Jerry Heppes, CAE, CEO Door & Hardware Institute, Chantilly, VA

Dwindling oil and natural gas supplies and potential climate changes point to continual increases in future energy costs. The DOE is calling for net-zero-energy homes by 2020. Is this feasible? Can we expect incentives? What level of window and door performance will be demanded in ten years? WDMA members consume enormous amounts of fuel in their manufacturing. What is the short and long-term outlook for these oil and natural gas energy resources?

Ron Denhardt, CEO & Vice President, Natural Gas & Power, Strategic Energy & Economic Research, Inc., Winchester, MA
Roger Bezdek, President, Management Information Services Inc., Oakton, VA

Listen to reports on major new regulatory concerns and how they may impact our industry, specifically California legislation to limit formaldehyde emissions from hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard. Then, get an update on window safety issues with initial reports on key industry research programs designed to identify metrics on the frequency of child falls and the appropriate window egress size for fire safety.

Paul Eisele, Ph.D., Consultant to Masco and KCMA, Former Commissioner of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Saline, MI
Jim Aguila, Manager, Substance Evaluation Section, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento, CA
Paul K. Heilstedt, P.E., Hon. A.I.A., Manager, Heilstedt Associates LLC, Frankfort, IL
Mike Fischer, The Kellen Company, Director of Codes & Regulatory Compliance, Window & Door Manufacturers Association, Des Plaines, IL

Is our rate of innovation keeping pace with aesthetic demands, rising energy costs and growing environmental, moisture and materials issues? Composites, electrochromics, switchable products, solar controls, dual technologies, high-tech, low E, super-insulated, impact-resistant, fire-rated and self-cleaning glass – all are technologies already on-stream. What's their current status? What’s next? What will “turn on” the market?.

Barbara Lippiatt, Economist, Office of Applied Economics, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards & Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Chris Barry, Director of Technical Services, Pilkington, NA Inc., Toledo, OH
Steven Winter, President, Steven Winter Associates Inc., Norwalk, CT

In the current climate of storm, moisture and mold related litigation, ensuring proper product installation is a must. Some see this as an education and training challenge. Others see it as a potential value-added business opportunity. In this session, an attorney will show how producers have successfully defended themselves. Professional installers will discuss best installation practices for high performance, document their concerns, and detail their product and training needs.

Barry Taheri, Installation Manager, Pella Architectural Products Inc., Brea, CA
Mark Wernimont, President, Colorado Sash & Door, Fort Collins, CO.
Stephen E. Embry, Member, Frost Brown Todd LLC. Louisville, KY

Art Linkletter, a star in show business for more than 60 years, Art Linkletter has lifted our spirits through radio, television, and print.  A true master of the podium, he has inspired thousands of audiences during his prolific speaking career.

Art Linkletter