Aug. 24, 2026
Shield Wall Media | 08242026
Guest: Gary Reichert and Karen Knapstein
Host: Randy Chaffee
Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt
đź“Ś Episode Overview & Intro Chat
- Show Intro & Banter:
- Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt open the show with lighthearted banter about being only children who became "brothers" in business, along with playful jokes about Randy’s affinity for show-floor chocolate candy (specifically Snickers, Heath bars, and Dairy Queen Blizzards).
- Welcoming Shield Wall Media:
- Randy welcomes back long-time industry collaborators and friends of the show, Gary Reichert and Karen Knapstein from Shield Wall Media, to preview the upcoming Construction Roll Forming Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
🏗️ The Construction Roll Forming Show (Gatlinburg, TN)
- Dates & Location:
- When: September 16–17.
- Where: Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, TN (Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains / Pigeon Forge area).
- Family-Friendly / Walkable Destination: Karen and Gary highlight that downtown Gatlinburg is fully walkable, with trolley service available, making it easy for exhibitors and attendees to turn the trade show into an extended family vacation. Nearby partner hotels include Black Bear Inn & Suites (directly adjacent to the center) and Glenstone Lodge (featuring an indoor pool and family play area).
- What Makes the Show Unique:
- Exclusively Construction-Focused: Unlike massive industrial metal-forming expos that cater to automotive or high-speed manufacturing, this show is dedicated strictly to roll forming and light-gauge metal forming for the low-rise construction industry.
- Decision-Makers & High-Volume Buyers: Geared toward the people who "sign the front of the check, not the back." Attendees include component distributors, regional roll formers, and builders buying fasteners, trims, sealants, and coils by the pallet, container, or truckload.
- The "Tipping Point" for Builders: It serves as the ideal venue for roofing contractors and builders who are considering whether they buy enough volume to start manufacturing and roll-forming their own panels and trims in-house rather than outsourcing to a supplier.
đź“° Shield Wall Media's Trade Publications
- 7 Niche Construction Magazines:
- Rural Builder (Legacy publication serving the industry since 1967).
- Metal Roofing Magazine (25+ years covering installers and fabricators).
- Rollforming Magazine (Dedicated companion publication to the trade show).
- Frame Building News, Metal Builder, Roofing Elements, and Garage, Shed & Carport Builder.
- Free Industry Subscriptions:
- All digital and print subscriptions are free for industry professionals via shieldwallmedia.com, allowing builders, fabricators, and suppliers to stay up to date on market trends across regions.
- New Book Release:
- The show will feature the launch of the third book in their educational construction series: Max Builds a Barndominium.
🤝 Networking, Panels, & Relationship-Building
- Beyond the Trade Show Booth:
- Gary and Randy emphasize that the true value of trade shows happens outside traditional booth pitches—during continental breakfasts, educational seminars, and the Wednesday evening social.
- Meeting peers informally sparks out-of-the-box business solutions and builds long-term industry relationships that carry over from year to year.
- Interactive Panel Discussions:
- Randy and the Shield Wall team discuss the annual live Q&A panel. Rather than formal lectures, the sessions are designed as open, conversational forums.
- Asking the "Dumb" Questions: Wes, Gary, and Randy note that if one person in an audience has a question, at least 20 others are wondering the exact same thing. Addressing audience questions openly creates practical, actionable takeaways for everyone in the room.
🎙️ Closing & Should-Ask Question (SAQ)
- The SAQ (Should-Ask Question):
- Question Karen wishes people would ask about the show: "Who should attend, and what will I gain from being there?"
- Karen's Answer: Anyone who manufactures metal panels/trims for low-rise construction—or any contractor looking into the economics of expanding into roll-forming their own components—needs to be in the room to learn directly from component suppliers, machine manufacturers, and peers.
đź’ˇ Key Takeaway
"Trade shows are about far more than handing out business cards at a booth. Real industry growth happens when you get the decision-makers in the same room, ask the questions everyone is thinking, and build relationships that outlast the weekend."
Gary Reichert:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-reichert-35826515/
Karen Knapstein
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-knapstein-75a81622/
Shield Wall Media:
Construction Rollforming Show:
https://constructionrollformingshow.com
Randy Chaffee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/randychaffee/
https://www.facebook.com/therandychaffee
https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com
Wes Wyatt: