Washington, DC (June 18, 2012) – The National Glass Association announced today that YKK AP America will be the lead sponsor of the 7th Annual Glazing Executives Forum (GEF), being held September 13, 2012 in Las Vegas.

YKK AP is a major global producer of commercial and residential windows and doors and one of the largest architectural products companies in the world.

"Our company is committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business, so lending our support to the industry’s most important best practices forum is a natural,” said Oliver Stepe, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for YKK AP America. “We are impressed with the slate of world-class speakers, interactive educational sessions and unique networking opportunities, and we’re urging all of our brethren in the glazing and architectural glass industry to join us in Las Vegas for this year’s event.”

The NGA’s 7th Annual Glazing Executives Forum, presented by the NGA Architectural Glazing Committee and held in conjunction with GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window, and Door Expo®, will take place on Thursday, September 13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The program was created by and for owners, presidents, CEOs and senior managers in the North American glazing and architectural glass industry to help build enduring relationships and to provide a collegial forum for collaboration on common challenges. The day-long event features dynamic and informative speakers, peer-to-peer sharing, and fresh updates on challenging topics impacting the industry. It has become the most important annual networking opportunity for leaders of the glazing industry.

“YKK AP America’s commitment to the 2012 Forum demonstrates how important this event has become to our industry and to the professionals that are dedicated to excellence in every aspect of their businesses,” said David Walker, Vice President at the National Glass Association. “We’re excited about this year’s agenda, which will offer a sharper focus than ever on project management, marketing to the architectural community, peer-to-peer best practices, and our widely anticipated industry-specific economic report and forecast.”

About the NGA

Founded in 1948, the National Glass Association is the largest trade association representing the architectural glass, and window and door industries. Based outside Washington, DC, and representing nearly 2,200 member companies and locations, NGA offers education and training, including MyGlassClass.com and MyWindowClass.com. NGA publishes the industry’s leading trade magazines: Glass Magazine® and Window & Door®; and e-newsletters: e-glass weekly™, WDweekly™, and For Technicians Only e-bulletin™. NGA also hosts the industry’s premier annual trade event: GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo®. The Window & Door Dealers Alliance, an organization for independent window and door dealers, is an initiative of the NGA. For more information on NGA, visit www.glass.org.

About YKK AP America

Driven by a desire to serve our customers, YKK AP America offers market-driven products backed by world-class technology and a dedication to be the very best at what we do. Consistent with the philosophies and principles of the global YKK Group, we combine engineering, innovative system designs, and vertically integrated manufacturing processes to provide fenestration systems at the highest level of quality and at a competitive price. Commercial products are produced at our national manufacturing center located in Dublin, Georgia and shipped throughout the United States and our regional branch network. Serving the Southeast, residential products are produced at our initial manufacturing center located in Macon, Georgia.