Rita Plaskett, WinDoor’s event manager and member of the Zzeem organizing team, says after 22 years in Ontario, WinDoor is taking the show to Montreal. The move, she says, is also an opportunity to celebrate the association’s ability and commitment to functioning in both official languages. “The move from Toronto has provided us with some unique opportunities and the ability to create some truly engaging experiences for our attendees. Old Mon- treal is a jewel and couldn’t provide a bet- ter backdrop for our new vision. The show’s location inside the Palais des con- grès de Montréal on the fringes of the old city, is just one opportunity people will have to truly experience the culture and flavour of the city.” Rather than the standard hotel block, for instance, or- ganizers have sourced several unique boutique hotels in and around Old Montreal. The first night also includes an experience that will take visitors through several pubs in the old city and culminate at a larger venue where guests will sample some of the local cuisine and entertainment. Plaskett says the intent is to allow guests to truly experi- ence and embrace the charms of this seventeenth-century city. The second night will include a reception inside the Palais’ exhibit space that will continue the experience with food, drink and entertainment. While the social experiences will be a highlight, the trade show remains the event’s driver. This too will be given a whole new look and benefit from the electric en- ergy of the new venue and a new approach. Plaskett says the Zzeem team will combine recognition of the show’s past successes and a desire for new oppor- tunities with a balance of enough that is recognizable with many new features. “The team has looked at WinDoor from the perspective of a major production, at providing experiences that are in- teractive and exciting and at enhancing the networking op- portunities, which we know has always been a major component of the show. We also understand though that what we want is something that both embraces the foun- dation of the previous event, which was so strong, yet adds interest for both veteran and new attendees.” Seminars will be presented in dedicated meeting rooms, rather than on the show floor for more of an edu- cational impact. A central café adds one component to a dynamic new floor plan. “We’ve tried to conceive of every possible way ex- hibitors and attendees can come together,” says Plaskett. “In the process, we’ve almost doubled the potential num- ber of client facing hours available but also created opportunities for many that are more relaxed and engaging.” MacLean says show organizers under- stand that the future of the window and door industry is today. “What I mean is that there are a tremendous amount of younger, talented professionals in key strategic positions in this industry. It is this younger generation that needs to be engaged and in- spired.” In today’s market place, more than ever he says, knowl- edge is key. Networking is paramount to success. “Today’s professional wants to know exactly why something needs to be done and wants to be a part of designing and exe- cuting all plans and strategies. WinDoor will emerge as the place to see and be seen, to learn, teach and share all as- pects of what window and door manufacturing in Canada is.” MacLean also says, in all the excitement of the “new” it would be remiss to forget the efforts of those individuals who helped the association and industry get where it is today. “Although there are many, I would like to, on behalf of the board of Fenestration Canada, thank Robert Rivard (former Fenestration Canada executive director) and his team for helping us position ourselves so well to meet the future.” WinDoor will be Nov. 15 to 17, 2016. Watch for further announcements as details and the registration website are finalized. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — May-June 2016 – 29