I joined the Simpson Strong-Tie team in Providence, Rhode Island, for the JLC LIVE tradeshow this past March. This tradeshow, which focuses on residential construction, is an exciting event comprising conference sessions, building clinics and exhibits. Along with some of our other products and tools for residential construction, our booth had a full-scale pergola and deck showcasing our Outdoor Accents® decorative hardware, which features a black powder-coat finish that provides outdoor structures with both corrosion protection and stylistic flair.
During the show, Tony Mcklem (Hollywood Decks), Tim Uhler (Awesome Framers) and Jen Woodhouse (House of Wood) all stopped by our booth to meet with JLC attendees, get to know Simpson Strong-Tie employees and have a live chat about why they prefer our solutions for their jobs and DIY projects. They also shared how they manage their business and personal brands on social media and beyond.
Tony from Hollywood Decks shared the importance of “always build[ing] to code and then some — by using Simpson.” By using Simpson Strong-Tie structural hardware, he said, you’re getting products designed and tested for safety and value. Additionally, he said, it’s a good idea to connect with your local Simpson Strong-Tie representative to learn about new products and get expert advice. Lastly, he shared a tip for business owners who are active on social media: “Include a media release in your contract so you can use project photos and testimonials on social media.”
Tim Uhler, the personality behind Awesome Framers, stopped by our booth to chat all things framing. For Tim’s team, the Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Stik™ and structural screws have been game changers. When it comes to decks, he’s all in on our fasteners and tries to keep it simple on jobsites. Overall, Tim left the audience with the advice to “learn by doing — sometimes you learn by doing wrong” and to remember that “engineers are your friends.”
On Saturday, the show is mostly geared towards homeowners and DIYers. Our longtime partner and inspiration Jen Woodhouse stopped by the booth to share her experience using Simpson Strong-Tie outdoor living software and hardware to build her DIY projects. Jen’s advice to those starting out on their DIY journey: “Just start! And utilize all your resources.”
The 2024 JLC Live show was the perfect introduction to tradeshows for my role as Community Manager at Simpson Strong-Tie. It was an exciting trip filled with opportunities to learn more about our products and offerings and, of course, to hang out with and get to know our customers.
