The Modular Building Institute's 37th Annual Convention & Tradeshow at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida
The Modular Building Institute graciously allowed The Advertiser to cover its 37th Annual World of Modular Convention and Tradeshow held March 9-12, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. Sporting a shiny Press Pass, I walked onto the trade show floor and prepared to be amazed.
Even with the Coronavirus beginning to worry America, MBI was expecting over 1,000 attendees, over 130 exhibit booths, and nearly 50 breakout sessions and workshops. The four-day event offered three keynote speakers (Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity; Anirban Basu, Founder/CEO of Sage Policy Group; and Steffen Fuchs from McKinsey & Co.), industry-spanning breakouts featuring the AIA, a new industry report from Dodge Data & Analytics, as well as multiple panel discussions and modular case studies. There were a few cancellations, but the show was packed, and it promised to deliver a great networking event.
I was pleased to see several of our advertisers, including Simpson Strong-Tie, Triad | Merrick Machine, and Hundegger, who had booths along with modular industry suppliers such as Bard, ICC-NTA, Mule-Hide, Hoover Treated Wood Products, AeroGo, PROSET, R&S Tavares, and more. I was also pleased to see so many modular manufacturers looking to attract developers and architects. The tradeshow floor was abuzz with groups discussing modular apartments, hotels, hospitals, schools, and other special use permanent and temporary modular buildings. Canadian companies NRB and Horizon North discussed their alliance; Horizon North is building and operating projects to help with the homeless, remote work camps, hospitality, and all modular communities with residential, commercial, recreational, and medical facilities. So many opportunities were on the floor.
One of the highlights of the World of Modular is its Awards of Distinction. With multiple classifications including Permanent, Relocatable, Green Building, and Marketing, classes are broken down by size and divided by office, retail, healthcare, hotel, multifamily, dormitory, assembly, correctional, workforce housing, special application, green building, and education. The MBI website has photos of the many winners and runners. Here [See PDF or View in Full Issue], I’ve chosen one that’s representative of how far commercial modular has come in the past 40 years.
Already, I am looking forward to WoM 2021. Thanks, MBI!
Also in this issue:
Bard Manufacturing Company Sponsors World of Modular Grand Prize
The competition was fierce but friendly at the World of Modular – Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando last month. Four flights of four players were competing for a trip to the 2020 Masters Tournament. Although extremely difficult, several players managed to land in the cup, earning a $200 prize.
In the end, Mona McClymont of Britco Structures USA LLC was the Grand Prize Winner, earning the coveted Green Jacket and trip to the Masters, courtesy of Bard Manufacturing Company.
“Sponsoring the grand prize at MBI’s World of Modular is one of the highlights of the year for our company. The opportunity to give back to a market that has been so good to us over the 35 years we have been an MBI member combined with the always entertaining manner MBI decides to give the grand prize makes it a special occasion for us.”
Pam Bard Steel, Bard Manufacturing Company