All in all, despite the instabilities, all markets have a strong, inspiring trust in the future. Or what do you say about having the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe take place in Baku this June? Or the construction industry in Turkey that continues to expand? There is still a considerable amount of growth in China in its economic and environmental development. The country also has an admirable capability to take advantage of downturns, with companies investing in new equipment and seeking new business opportunities.

GPD Istanbul was held in conjunction with the Istanbul Glass Expo, which is clearly growing each year. The GPD event was the second of its kind, gathering over 300 participants. The seminar program covered exciting presentations about global glass industry trends, new types of coated glass, new types of interlayers for laminated glass, the use of silicon in structural glazing as well as measurement technologies used in the glass value chain.
 
GPD China 2016 – Another great and inspiring event
GPD China once again gathered the leading minds to review and discuss matters affecting the glass industry globally. Presentations covered high-rise architectural projects in different parts of the world and their impact on the economy and environment. Energy performance in buildings as well as global market trends in the glass industry sparked a lot of discussion.
 
The role of automation in the current and future work environments is also a hot topic. It cannot be ignored by any industry. More and more, robots are taking over routine manual tasks. We should not fear the rise of machines and automation, but rather should look at how to effectively invest in them and take advantage of such opportunities. 
 
We will definitely continue to enable the regional GPD learning events to spread the know-how by continuing to organize more events in the latter part of this year. The next event, GPD Cuba, will be arranged in December in conjunction with Cuba Glass in Havana. This exciting country is starting to open up to modernization and development in all sectors – and glass is certain to be at the forefront of Cuba’s development.
 
To make sure that the best ideas and practices in the glass industry reach as many people as possible, we will make the material freely available. If you missed these GPD events, please find the material links below.
 
GPD material links:
•    Rise of laminated glass: Adding safety and durability to modern design
•    Structural glazing design under high wind load
•    Digital printed glass applications
•    Architectural glass quality control according to EN norms
•    Executive summary of global glass industry trends of 2015 by Jorma Vitkala
 
GPD FINLAND 2017
The next GPD Finland will be held in June 28th -30th, 2017 in Tampere Finland. 
Glass Performance Days Conference is heading towards its 25 Year Anniversary in June 28-30, 2017. GPD can look back at an impressive record of collecting and sharing glass industry essentials. A total of over 12,000 delegates have attended 3,000 presentations, listened to 1,000 speakers and formed 30,000 contacts over the years.
The Glass Performance Days started in 1992 triggered by the observation that glass processors had something very important in common: Effective use of state-of-the-art equipment and technology. It was equally evident that this know-how was something that needed and could well be shared.
 
A closer look at the GPD tells its key success factors very clearly. The 25 Years anniversary conference will naturally use all of these and add some, Chairman of the organizing committee, Jorma Vitkala promises. The modular program, facilitating networking, the hands-on workshops on special topics and the path-breaking presentations of new technology are all on the menu. The success formula we have followed is crystal clear. We have always believed in the power of information sharing for the development of the industry, Vitkala adds.
 
Main themes for 2017 - Growth, knowledge and new generation
Currently there is a knowledge gap between the older and younger generations that are working in the glass industry. The event will address the need to have continuity in transferring knowledge from the older to the younger generations to cover this gap.
Additionally, since the recent global recession has slowed down the growth of the industry, the event will be supporting the growth through innovation and education.
Twenty-five years could well be labeled one generation in the life of a business. Many things have changed and some basics, like the physical properties of the glass material, have remained the same. A look at today´s city planning and building designs plus the requirements put on energy-efficiency, environmental comfort and stylishness reveals how far we have come from the very first use of glass to cover window openings in buildings.
 
GPD in its 25th year celebrates together with the 100th Anniversary of independent Finland – the home of the main Conference since its beginning. That fact will contribute to the feeling around the Conference that takes place at the height of the Midsummer season in Scandinavia.
 
Glaston Finland / GPD
Vehmaistenkatu 5
33730 Tampere
FINLAND
Fax +358 10 500 6180
http://www.gpd.fi