ThinkZinc: Building Industry Leaders
The American Galvanizers Association’s annual ThinkZinc conference brought together new industry professionals and those working in sales and marketing for three days of learning, collaboration, networking and fun in beautiful Denver, CO. 30 attendees joined us from many different galvanizers across North America.
Participants began with the basics of galvanizing, including the process, coating characteristics, benefits, and key industry specifications. Attendees explored how to effectively present the Galvanize It! seminars and how long galvanized coatings can provide corrosion protection in different environments while connecting technical knowledge with practical applications and real world case studies. Attendees explored the Life Cycle Cost Calculator which demonstrates the longevity of HDG steel in many different environments.
ThinkZinc provided opportunities to build relationships and network with other galvanizers. Networking continued outside the classroom during GalvaGolf at TopGolf, giving participants the chance to connect with peers and AGA staff in a relaxed setting while enjoy food, drinks, and smacking some golf balls!
Day two explored the practical side of hot-dip galvanizing, with sessions covering inspection practices, repair methods, duplex coating systems, and the environmental benefits of HDG. Participants also put their knowledge to the test during an interactive role-playing exercise, “The Grumpy Specifier,” where they tackled challenging questions and practiced navigating difficult customer conversations.
The final day wrapped up with the remaining Galvanize It! presentations, a comparative look at competing materials, and a detailed discussion of Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS), importance of communication skills, and industry awareness on competitive coating systems. The program concluded with Galvanizing Jeopardy, a fun game to test everyone’s HDG knowledge. Congrats to the winning team - the Hot-Dip Hero's!
For new professionals and sales and marketing personnel, ThinkZinc offered an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of HDG while developing the confidence and communication skills needed to represent the industry effectively.