By Karen Knapstein
Post-frame construction pros gathered for business and pleasure June 19-20 at the first annual Post-Frame Builder Show. Produced by Shield Wall Media, publisher of Frame Building News, attendees, speakers, and exhibitors gathered in Branson, Missouri, from all over the United States to move the post-frame industry forward.
Exhibitors
Some 80 exhibitors filled the sold-out convention floor, giving building professionals the opportunity to find the information and materials they needed to either grow their businesses or to enter the post-frame market.
Multiple companies exhibited recently developed and newly available products. With the booming interest in barndominiums, doors are a hot commodity. Plyco exhibited its Designer Series doors, which offers many new color options for the heavy duty 20 and thermal break 92 door series. Of special interest to barndo builders is the new premium 5068 sidelite door, which is offered with many types of glass and hardware to provide clients with a high-performance, custom-look door.
Northern Building Components (NBC) was exhibiting several new products, including composite edged, steel-panel doors and steel-edged, steel-panel doors. Ideal for post-frame construction, both the composite-edged and steel-edged doors are made with 24-gauge steel. Additionally, NBC has added the Easy Grip Hi-Temp Ice & Water self-adhesive underlayment to its product lineup, which has “a more grippy surface” giving metal roof installers safer footing.
The Post-Frame Builder Show was an excellent opportunity to build and strengthen relationships. After the show closed, the message heard time and again from attendees and exhibitors was that every conversation counted. The number of exhibitors balanced well with the number of attendees so that everyone who needed to have a conversation was able to connect. Existing relationships were strengthened and new relationships were forged. As William T. Hartman of W.E.H. Supply Inc. said, “W.E.H. Supply Inc. is built and grounded on relationships. … We have relationships today that did not exist a month ago!”
Industry Honors
As a welcome surprise, Industry awards that were announced earlier in the year were distributed to many exhibitors. Shield Wall Media editors Dan Brownell and Karen Knapstein surprised booth personnel with Metal of Honor awards from Metal Roofing Magazine [readmetalroofing.com] and Gold Key of Excellence Awards from Rural Builder [ruralbuildermagazine.com]. Among the award recipients are two companies that have impressive award records: MWI Components and Triangle Fastener Corporation. MWI Components received its 22nd Gold Key of Excellence Award and its 17th Metal of Honor Award, while Triangle Fastener received its 18th Gold Key of Excellence and its 20th Metal of Honor Award. It should be noted that 2024 is the 20th year that the Metal of Honor has been awarded; TFC is the only company to have been awarded this honor every year over the last 20 years.
GitEstimate post-frame building estimating software was demonstrated throughout the show.
Randy Chaffee (left) and Barry Broxterman receive awards on behalf of MWI Components.
Todd Meinhold explains the details and benefits of the Rapid Framing System.
Capital Truss & Lumber, distributors of
lumber and more for over 40 years.
Attendees grabbed a quick bite at the complimentary continental breakfast.
AJ Manufacturing had a new
insulation dam, plus windows and
doors. Photos by Shield Wall Media
Dripstop’s Orien
Ewell spoke about the causes
and mitigation of condensation.
Anthem Built exhibited foundation repair and replacement solutions
PALCLAD PRO. 100% recyclable PVC
panels for agricultural, commercial,
and residential applications 
Buffalo River Truss specializes in steel trusses manufactured for hay barns, horse barns, and other functional structures.
Magazine readers and industry professionals like you determine which companies receive these awards. The Metal of Honor and Gold Key of Excellence awards are presented to recognize companies in the metal roofing and low-rise rural construction markets that provide quality products and great service. Each year, a ballot is published in its respective magazine and online; ballots are also distributed via email. Readers vote for their partners if they deem them worthy of recognition in the industry. Companies can be nominated to appear on the ballot by contacting publisher Gary Reichert.
Education
As a general rule, educational sessions are held before the expo opens so attendees and exhibitors can reap the maximum benefits from the show floor. Several subject matter experts gave presentations on topics of interest to post-frame professionals. Leading sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday, Blunier Builders’ Eric Miner gave a well-attended, two-part “Success Training,” sharing key insights about developing leadership that works in the post-frame industry. Day one’s presentation focused on “Building Successful Leaders in the Post-Frame Industry,” while day two explored “Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Communication.”
Industry veteran Randy Chaffee, Source One Marketing, is no stranger to Shield Wall Media events. He, too, gave two presentations at the PFBS. Chaffee, who has more than 40 years of sales experience in the construction industry, shared some of his hard-earned knowledge during the presentations, “How To Work A Trade Show From Both Sides of the Aisle” on Wednesday morning, followed by “How To Use Social Media as a Force Multiplier” on Thursday morning.
Another industry veteran — Hansen Buildings’ Mike Momb, The Pole Barn Guru — addressed a group of early-risers during the first day of the show. The interactive session was based on Momb’s article “5 Steps To Post-Frame Sales Success” (Frame Building News, January 2024). Making the most of the show, Mike made himself available throughout the entire event to have discussions with attendees and exhibitors. “In my humble opinion,” he says, “anyone who missed this show, missed out on some great content, as well as an opportunity to get toe-to-toe with vendors. All of your readers should be greatly anticipating next year’s event.”
Show Reviews
Show Director Missy Beyer is enthusiastic about the inaugural show: “The best part of the first ever Post-Frame Builder Show for me was hearing from exhibitors about the solid connections and sales they made. I also had great feedback from attendees who appreciated the hospitality and family friendly atmosphere of our Shield Wall Media shows. Branson was a great location for families, and we were able to make sure the show was not cost prohibitive to exhibit at or attend, as is our goal with all of our events. We are finalizing the location for next year’s show this week and I am excited for that to be announced. I expect next year’s show to be even bigger than this year’s event.”
Bucket Bunker keeps excavator and
skid-steer attachments organized. 
Chris Glick accepts the Rural Builder Gold Key of Excellence and the Metal Roofing Metal of Honor for Snap Z.
Northern Building Components’ new
offerings included composite-edged
and steel-edged steel panel doors.
WEH Supply offers windows,
doors, hardware, and accessories
to the post-frame industry.
Sean Cook (left) and Steve Harper
accept the Gold Key of Excellence
and Metal Roofing Metal of Honor
for Triangle Fastener Corporation.
Randy Chaffee,
Source One Marketing, made
two presentations at the inaugural
Post-Frame Builder Show.
Strongwall Columns
served coffee as attendees learned
about the company’s engineered
column and bracket offerings.
Ken McDonnell educates attendees about in-ground post protection.
Eric Miner, Blunier Builders, presented a two-session Success Training series, including “Building Successful Leaders in the Post-Frame Industry,” followed by “Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Communication” .
SmartBuild Systems is a frequent exhibitor at trade shows. CEO and owner Keith Dietzen was also enthusiastic about the event: “Congratulations to Gary and company on your inaugural Post Frame Builder show. The SmartBuild team really enjoyed the show and went home with many positive sales leads.
He continues: “Let me tell you what made the show really enjoyable … First, I’ve been doing trade shows since 1975. I’ve had my fill of places like Las Vegas, Orlando and others. What a pleasure to fly into a small airport with no lines, to be able to park our car and have a sixty-second walk to the hotel, and to have a 100-yard walk from the hotel to the trade show.
“Second, no need to hire a union thug to plug in a light. Third, a great venue being able to stroll through the Branson mall area and grab a great meal with no reservations required. Finally, what a great hospitality treat with free food, beverages and music at the show. Well Done!”
The Second Annual Post-Frame Builder Show
The 2025 Post-Frame Builder Show will be held June 25-26 at the Spooky Nook Sports facility in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Watch postframebuildershow.com and the pages of Frame Building News for future show updates. If you have questions about exhibiting at the Post-Frame Builder Show or any Shield Wall Media event, contact Shield Wall Media Director of Events Missy Beyer at 920-216-3007 or [email protected]. FBN
