If this picture of pallets packed and ready to go says anything, it says that the industry’s first event since the COVID pandemic hit is going to happen next week. Glass TEXpo ’21 will be held May 20-21 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The two-day event, which includes education, a 100+ booth trade show, demonstrations and networking, is co-sponsored by USGlass magazine and the Texas Glass Association (TGA).

Being the first is a role we take very seriously. USGlass magazine was the first to produce a daily e-newsletter, USGNN.com; and the first to have a web presence years ago, the first to offer personalized market research, the first to produce special supplements, virtual events and more. So we take our role as an innovator as seriously as we take our role as North America’s only monthly glass and glazing magazine.

But enough about USG. Let’s talk about Texas. While we didn’t know it at the time, there could not be a better location nor a better group of people with whom to work with on this first event than the Texas glass community. There’s a uniqueness and hardiness in Texas that is always evident. Maybe it’s because it’s our only state to ever be a country. Maybe it’s because the word “Texas” and “tenacious” both start the same way. Maybe it’s because the state is full of good hard-working people that I always look forward to seeing.

If you’re someone in the industry who is ready to get back to business, join your colleagues at Glass TEXpo. You can register at www.glasstexpo.com. It’s free to members of the Texas Glass Association and/or USGlass magazine readers who are not suppliers. Proper health and safety protocols will be in place. I hope to see you there.

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Speaking of great people, I would like to acknowledge the passing of C. Craig Washing on April 27. Craig followed his many years at LOF (now Pilkington) with a stint at Norment Industries. He was one of those people who was both a gentleman and genteel, and he was just a pleasure to work with. People like Craig are part of the reason those who find the glass industry, stay with it. You can read his full obituary at https://www.southernmemorialfuneral.com/obituary/charles-washing.