OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. - It was another busy, successful show for the Chicagoland Sheet Metal Contractors Association. Organizers said about 3,000 contractors and company representatives attended this year's show, again held at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. The trade show is one of the largest one-day, regional HVAC events in the country.

On March 28, the convention hall and theater complex was turned into a sheet metal shop, with 100 companies exhibiting at 176 booths, a record for the 29th annual event. Shortly after the show opened at 1 p.m., the aisles were packed as contractors and trade school students browsed exhibits from sheet metal equipment companies of all sizes. Crowds continued building, with long lines at the registration booth, until early evening. Tickets included a buffet dinner and several cash bars on the trade show floor. The event ran until 9 p.m.

"The show allows contractors and suppliers to meet face-to-face," explained Tony Adolfs, the Chicagoland association's executive director. "That gives attendees an opportunity to see and ask questions about a wider variety of products at one time."

In addition, organizers included seminars on building commissioning, fall protection and other construction hazards.

The session on commissioning reviewed regulations from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. It included how commissioning can help projects of all sizes.

"Commissioning is increasing in imp ortance, with more and more building owners applying for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification," said William L. Niehoff Jr., chairman of CSMCA's trade show committee. "Commissioning is a prerequisite for LEED certification. And of course, safety is at the forefront when it comes to our contractors and employees."