We love tradeshows! If you invite us, we will attend!

Trade shows are an important occasion to meet people, learn about various industries and make the connections that keep all our businesses growing…

It can’t be said enough how great it is to be out exploring the country and getting to greet people face-to-face again. After two years of either being on remote jobsites or in isolation at our home office, getting back to what we do best, meeting people and helping them find their best building solution has been a relief. 

The majority of our clients are in the agricultural or commercial sectors, or work in heavy industry. They face big challenges. Under the best of circumstances, running their business operations isn’t easy. While they know what they need to do and how best to do it based on experience, developing the strategy to get there is tricky. Having to cope with a global pandemic and supply chain issues doesn’t help.

But companies can grow larger regardless of the economic cycle. Long-term planning never takes a rest. How can a business plan for the logistical and storage/warehousing needs they’ll have 20 years from now? Fortunately, pre-engineering offers a great solution.

Learning about client needs and what’s happening across the county are the main reasons we maintain a schedule and participate in trade shows throughout the year. We enjoy hearing about businesses and exploring what our clients do. Steel buildings are an appropriate solution for almost every business. Most owners and operations share the idea that it’s critical to be flexible and able to adapt to whatever the Canadian marketplace or economy throws their way. Steel buildings provide a cost-effect way to build what you need now, while being prepared for the future.

So, where have we been and where will we be next? Here’s three shows we’ve attended most recently.

Forest Products Machinery and Equipment Exposition, Atlanta, GA

Darren Sperling, our company president, flew down to Atlanta to host our display and connect with members of the equipment manufacturers and wood processing industry. You can spot a photo of Darren on page 104 of the Softwood Forest Products Buyers trade publication.

Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), Toronto, ON

Reflecting the need to adapt to pandemic circumstances, Summit Steel Buildings took part in both the live tradeshow in Toronto, June 13 to 15, 2022, as well as online at the virtual show June 28 and 29. As a corporate member of PDAC, we were happy to meet other mining industry leaders and connect with engineers at this important community showcase. The annual show is the world’s premier exploration and mining convention.

Ag in Motion 2022, Langham, SK

Agriculture is the lifeblood to Canada’s food supply. Farming is a vitally important resource, so we were out in full force at Western Canada’s Outdoor Farm Expo in Langham, Saskatchewan (just outside of Saskatoon). The event was filled with amazing people, many of whom were all too happy to tell us about their property, the crops they grow and their rich family history of working the land. We’ll definitely be back next year, especially to try all the homegrown treats!

Want to visit us in person? 

Here’s two upcoming shows where we’ll have trade booths. Check back with our website and on LinkedIn for highlights, photos and other promotions we do specially for these occasions…

Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON

Frank and I really enjoy this show for its beautiful setting at Discovery Farm and all the engaging demonstrations, some by equipment while others by livestock. The location provides a good opportunity to go on a crop plot tour and stretch your legs after getting something to eat and talking with exhibitors and other visitors. It’s a big show in the wide-open country. 

This year the show is September 13, 14 and 15, 2022 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm each day. So, join the fun at Discovery Farm (744906 Oxford Road #17, R.R. #6) in Woodstock, Ontario and visit us at booth AB-33 in the Zehr Insurance Ag Biz Pavilion. Tickets and a show map are available at the event site.

MJBizCon, Las Vegas, NV

The cannabis industry has been an exciting roller coaster since becoming legal in Canada. The number of cultivators and retailers has exploded, and we’ve been fortunate to work with a few companies on building growing facilities. It’s a little more specialized than regular agricultural buildings (read our article). We’ve learned a lot by working with great industry partners and consultants. Along the way, we’ve met some innovative entrepreneurs and had countless networking opportunities – the people in legal pot really love to talk!

The biggest cannabis trade show on our schedule is the MJBizCon in Las Vegas in November. With 1,400+ exhibitors and 35,000 people attending, it’s a good place to make connections. 

If you’re looking to be somewhere fun and sunny between November 15 and 18, 2022, Las Vegas isn’t a bad choice. Visiting the cannabis conference is a good excuse for a business trip. Be sure to drop by the Las Vegas Convention Centre and visit our booth.

We hope to see you soon at one of these events or any other! Let's get building!