The word humble is a proper description of the first GPDs if the number of attendants is the measure of greatness. The first GPDs served as a meeting place for a handful of professionals who mostly knew each other beforehand.

In the mid-90's awareness of GPD begun to spread within the industry. Taking steady leaps the forum started to grow and take its position as the largest conference in the global glass industry. Today GPD enjoys solid support from wide range of glass industry companies and institutions.

Glass Performance Days is, however, more about quality than quantity. We take great pride in having been able to attract the right people as well. The chart on the right illustrates the background of participants who speak the language of decision-making.

The figure on the right-hand side illustrates the assuring growth of the forum. In spite of the industry facing difficult times, in GPD 2009 there were about 850 delegates from 55 countries!

GPD Targets Professionals

Successful implementation of new, creative solutions that bring competitive advantage to the industry require input from all its contributors. New solutions for architectural, automotive or interior-decorating purposes have design as well as processing aspects. New materials, processing methods and applications work best when they can be efficiently channelled throughout the whole sourcing chain from raw materials to end-user approval. The experts and decision makers who contribute to streamlining this flow are the focus of the GPD.

Attendant profiles:

• 850 delegates from 55 countries participated the conference (see the Participant list, link on the right hand side)
• 37 % of the delegates represented the top management including owners, CEOs, VPs and directors of glass companies
• Almost 300 presentations were given by highly appreciated professionals
• 17 workshops were organized and close to 300 glass professionals attended them
• Glass EXPO attracted 34 exhibitors and was located in a constructional tent next to Tampere Hall, where also posters, coffees and lunches and City reception were located
• According to the feedback from delegates, GPD continued once again the tradition of being the most respected information-sharing forum for the industry and THE place for international networking.

The participants in previous GPDs have represented:

• Glass processors and manufacturers
• Material and machinery suppliers
• Glaziers
• Architects
• Construction specialists
• University representatives
• Window and IG-unit manufacturers
• Consultants and representatives from research institutions

Click here to see the Participant list from GPD 2009 (PDF, 450 kb)

Development of Entries in 2009

 

Level of Seniority in 2009