Bob Berkebile Selected as Keynote Speaker for 19th Annual METALCON International Conference and Exhibition

Newton, Mass. -  Bob Berkebile, FAIA, a founding principal of Kansas City, MO-based BNIM Architects, will offer attendees at the 19th annual METALCON International a new way of looking at their role in the future of design and construction.  His keynote presentation titled Creating A New Sustainable Economy is slated for 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, opening day of this major international conference and exhibition being held at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL.

Berkebile is a leading authority on sustainable design and a distinguished presenter whose vision, passion and commitment to improving the quality of life via the built environment stretches far beyond what the eye can see.

At METALCON he will give the audience some encouraging thoughts on how to approach today's economic and environmental situations. "We're being so inundated with news about economic freefall and collapse of the environment that the average citizen or business person may become overwhelmed and conclude there's nothing they can do. But from what I've observed in recent global summits, this is the most transformative and powerful moment in the history of the planet. We've reached this critical stage because we've used obsolete thinking for centuries. Right now, we have the technology and communications systems to make the changes required to improve our children's economic and environmental vitality. But the question is whether we have the will to become more informed and to make the change," he notes.

Although there has been a shift in thinking in the last ten years, Berkebile feels we still need to evaluate whether we're on the right path. "Recent changes in the construction industry such as the USGBC's LEED rating system have brought us to rethink materials sourcing, how we design and construct, and the impact of those decisions. That's a nice start but the key, and still unanswered, question is, are we propping up an old obsolete system or creating a new regenerative one?"

For METALCON this is a great opportunity to bring another new voice and concepts to its audience. "We're honored to have Bob with us at METALCON. He brings a very enlightening, global perspective to what's happening financially and environmentally. He's a wonderful presenter with a positive message that will leave all of us asking what CAN I DO to make things better," says METALCON Show Director, Claire Kilcoyne.

For more information about the show call 1-800-357-7765, 617-965-0055 or visit http://www.metalcon.com/.