Time to issue call for papers for GPD Finland 2017

Dear Colleagues,

Time again to issue a Call for Papers – to another Glass Performance Days event and one that will out-perform its predecessors.

Again we introduce new thoughts and concepts, streamline our arrangements and sharpen our focus. Growth – Knowledge – New Generation is our theme for 2017.

In issuing this summons, it strikes me how far we have come together in developing our industry. Previous participants and return visitors have all experienced the spirit of development that we find so important.

We call the Conference Glass Performance Days and that reflects both the contents and the Conference itself. Performance is the word. It is very important to remember also that we have done this together in sharing the vision that we can promote our industry in a joint effort for the good of all users of glass all over the world. We surely would not be where we are today if we had not changed with the times.

Our priorities have changed over the 25-year span of the Conference and to our credit we can say – so have we! By this I mean all of us, participants, lecturers, industries, organizers. We are proud to be in a role as catalyst for other similar conferences in different parts of the world.

Some of our issues are long-standing, others come and go. Some may be perceived to be limited to certain regions, others apply everywhere. The overall picture is very dynamic.

An example: In Arctic glass construction one might think that keeping heat out would not be the problem, rather perhaps to keep it in. But considering the low angle in which the sun hits us up North we find that we share the heat-load issues with more southern locations.

Similarities apply to many other special aspects of glass and it is therefore that we gain so much from the information exchange we conduct.

For GPD 2017 we look forward to continuing our improvements of Conference efficiency and networking. We will continue the hands-on factory visit practices we have and of course enjoy the Nordic Midsummer time when the Sun never sets.

A day-lighting phenomenon as good as any and one made for efficient networking. Finally, in wishing you welcome to this Anniversary Conference, I want to address a special appeal to the young professionals of our business – the New Generation: Come, see and experience the atmosphere that has promoted the past 25 years of our international business – the next 25 years are yours!

Welcome to Tampere in June 2017

Jorma Vitkala

Chairman of the Organizing Committee