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Show Time
The Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference returns to its origins.
As the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference (TBEC) goes back to the site of its first show, the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, where it was launched in 1993, Traditional Building magazine decided it was time to take a look back at some of its history, while also looking to the future. Founded by the husband and wife team of Ellen Glew and Steve Schuyler, the first Restoration Show, as it was called, drew a large crowd, anxious to see traditional building products – items that could not be found in any other venue. Today TBEC is the largest show in the country devoted to traditional building products and services.
"I formed a company with RAI of the Netherlands and the first show was in December of 1993," says co-founder Ellen Glew. "Initially, it was called the Restoration Show. We didn't do a show in 1994, so the second show was also at the Hynes Convention Center, in February, 1995. I wanted to get into the first quarter," she explains. The third show was held in late 1995 in San Francisco.
"Back in 1993, there were hardly enough products to fill the floor," says Steve Schuyler. "When we first did the show, there were probably a quarter the number of products for traditional applications. The show and Clem Labine's magazine did a lot to create this market. Clem Labine devoted an entire issue of Traditional Building magazine to the show and also ran full-page four-color ads promoting it, at no cost."
In the early days, the show was the only place to learn about traditional building products and services, and it focused both on homeowners as well as professionals. The exhibits and the conference programs offered two tracks – one for homeowners and one for professionals. "There were huge crowds for some of the sessions. There was nothing else you could go to. Ours was the only game in town," says Schuyler.
In 2000, the show was sold to Restore Media, LLC, which also acquired Old House Journal, Traditional Building and Period Homes magazines. The name was soon changed to the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference (TBEC) (www.traditional-buildingshow.com) but the message and the essence of the show remained the same – the importance of historic preservation and traditional building and the availability of information about companies supplying products and services for this industry.
The industry has grown and matured and many now turn to the web for information. "The show has evolved to be much more concerned with the bigger picture issues of neighborhood and urban planning," says Glew.
Responding to these changes, Restore Media has updated its websites, including the sites for Traditional Building magazine and Period Homes (www.periodhomes.com) and for the show (www.traditionalbuildingshow.com). There are also many, many more products and sources of information for traditional builders and preservationists. The TBEC is still the largest trade show in the U.S. devoted to this industry and it continues to draw more and more people, especially as the downturn in the economy encourages people to seek new sources of work and income.
As the show enters its 17th year, Judy L. Hayward, Conference Director since 2004, looks to the future. She is also executive director of Historic Windsor, Inc., and its Preservation Education Institute, having worked for the Windsor, VT, nonprofit since 1982.
Hayward has been a leader in developing historic preservation building skills education throughout her career. She has worked on contracts and grants for the National Park Service, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Trust for Historic Preservation, U.S. Justice Department, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, and others to produce educational programs on topics as diverse as accessibility and historic preservation, building craft education, and bridge repair. She is a co-author of The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Self-guided Training Course for Historic Preservation Commissioners. She is a member of the Windsor, VT, Design Review Commission (a certified local government (CLG), a past president and current secretary of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, and secretary of the Fire Safety Institute. Hayward was also recently recognized by the Preservation Trades Network (PTN) for 25 years of innovative and distinguished accomplishment in preservation education and contributions to the traditional trades.
How is the TBEC different from other shows?
This is the largest trade show in North America dedicated to historic preservation and traditionally inspired new construction. We have 125 to 150 exhibitors. This is the one show that focuses on the business aspects and provides business-to-business information on making sales. And, it provides an incredible networking opportunity.
What were some of the highlights of the Fall 2008 show?
Donovan Rypkema's keynote was definitely a highlight. He accurately summarized the economy that we reside in now, and he gave us hope in terms of looking at the real value of preservation. No matter what the economy is doing, we really have something to offer the world. There was also a continuing and growing interest in sustainable topics in the courses. And as always, being in the historic site at Navy Pier with its view of the Chicago skyline adds to the environment. It has been said many times that Chicago is the city of architecture.
What does TBEC offer that can't be found elsewhere?
The show and conference content are very different from the conferences produced by the APT (Association for Preservation Technology) or the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Our market doesn't necessarily do preservation 100 percent of the time, but these people need to know how to do the work and where to find qualified professionals to do the job.
The National Trust focuses on advocacy and how individuals, nonprofits and government agencies can help support preservations for the communities. APT runs sessions that are more on the cutting edge, looking at technology and how it is evolving. It offers new topics about old buildings for full-time professionals. We take some of that material and re-interpret that for the person who does preservation work some of the time or builds traditionally inspired new construction. We have many hands-on sessions for those working in the trades too.
What can we look forward to at the upcoming Spring 2009 event in Boston?
There will be a day-long conditions assessment course, a great opportunity to spend a full day learning how to do building diagnostics. This workshop will be conducted by the AIA Historic Resources Committee. And we are also planning tours of the South End and Arts and Crafts churches of the Back Bay area. As usual, we will have at least 60 conferences available, plus the presentation of the 2009 Palladio winners, a keynote speaker and the annual gala party.
Also noteworthy are two sessions that will be offered free to all conference participants. Peter Harkness, the founding publisher of Governing magazine will deliver the keynote address on "The Comeback of the City." In addition, Notre Dame professors Sallie Hood and Ron Sakal will share their insights in a plenary session called "Fixing the Worst First: Recovering Downtowns, Cities and Suburbs." (See Traditional Building, October, 2008). Their program is based on the work being done through the University of Notre Dame Center for Building Communities. We are particularly strong in programs for the institutional market for this conference.
Why is it important to attend these shows?
In addition to seeing the exhibits, education and networking are important reasons for attending the shows. Not only can attendees walk the aisles and learn about new products and services, but they can also earn as many as 24 CEUs.
A number of our participants have shared with me that they come to the show because they get jobs as a direct result of speaking, demonstrating in TB Live, or exhibiting. I ran into an architect who did a presentation at our show in Chicago. There was a small turnout in her session, but a week later, someone in the class called and hired her for a job. She was just the person he needed. Things like that really reinforce the importance of networking.
How does all of this relate to the problems we see in today's economy?
During times of economic upheaval, it's important to keep the momentum going, to advertise, to look at projects and to look for partners. At our event you can meet people, and find out what they are doing. The reality is that when the economy gets tight we really need to network. I am convinced that we will beat back the fear and panic if we work together, and the show is the place to do that.
TB
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