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AAMA Discusses Possible Green Initiatives
Recognizing but not being deterred by the economic challenges that lie ahead in the coming year, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association jumped right into its 2008 game plan during its annual meeting, conducted last week in Indian Wells, Calif. Attendance was down as some companies are scaling back travel budgets, but the contingent present was ready to roll up its sleeves and tackle new and expanded programs.
“AAMA has been busy preparing for the next uptick,” said Gantt Miller of Winco, chairman of the board. During the annual general membership meeting, he told participants that among the association’s biggest challenges for the coming year are NFRC’s commercial rating system, the anti-vinyl sentiment resurging in the LEED for Hospitals program and the “aggressive” Energy Star changes. With more than 30 new members added to the roster last year, he believes AAMA stands ready to address these and other issues.
Another hot topic these days is green, and the AAMA event saw a good turnout for its new green and sustainability committee meeting as participants rolled out some thoughts about how AAMA might coordinate and facilitate outreach and education on sustainability and green issues, as they relate to fenestration products. The committee aims to start with both internal and external communication goals, but is also working on developing a green certification program based on existing AAMA testing methods. “There are portions of the testing you’re already doing that have green attributes,” noted Janice Charletta, AAMA’s director of marketing and membership. Down the road, the committee may consider a green member program based on internal company practices and recycling policies or process certification. For now, green-related communication coming out of AAMA will be included as part of the organization’s monthly e-newsletter, set to launch this month.
As reported in last week’s WDweekly, the side-hinged door standard was turned down by the International Code Council. Members of AAMA’s door council discussed the next steps involved in coming up with a compromise that would satisfy both those in favor of system testing, as well as those who want to uphold a component-based approach.
The membership approved three new board members for 2008: Steve Wrubleski of Simonton will serve as treasurer, Mark Hinkie of Pella was added to the residential council and Kevin Seiling of Veka will fill a supplier spot.
The association hosted economist Stuart Varney again as its keynote speaker. Varney acknowledged the negative spin coming out of mainstream media but painted a rosier picture for macroeconomic conditions moving forward. Ron Jones, editorial director of Green Builder Magazine, also addressed the group, giving a broad context of how current green building practices impact the global ecosystem.
AAMA’s next national conference will be June 1-4 at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Penn. More information is available at www.aamanet.org.
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