National Glass Association

What National Glass Association does

The National Glass Association (NGA), founded in 1948 and headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, is a 501(c) nonprofit trade association serving the North American glass, glazing, and fenestration industry. NGA represents the full supply chain — contract glaziers, full-service glass companies, fabricators, manufacturers, and suppliers — through a horizontally-segmented membership model. The organization is the unified industry voice on advocacy, building codes, and sustainability, and it operates as a content, standards, events, and training platform rather than a manufacturing or software company. Operations are run by 11–50 staff working remotely from 15 states.

NGA's product portfolio centers on five interlocking pillars: (1) events — GlassBuild America (the largest annual trade show for the glass, window, and door industries in the Americas), the BEC Conference, and the GFAB Glass Fabricator Conference; (2) publications — Glass Magazine, Window + Door, the NGA Store with nearly 120 technical and business publications, and nearly 100 Glass Technical Papers maintained on a 5-year review cycle; (3) training — MyGlassClass.com and MyGlassFAB online platforms for glaziers, fabricators, and CSRs; (4) data and tools — the World of Glass Map, EPD Generator Tool, and Glass Nomenclature Tool; and (5) advocacy and standards — participation in ICC code development (securing approvals G143-25 and G144-25), ASTM committees, and Congressional activity including Glass & Glazing Advocacy Days. The NGA Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), funds industry education and training.

Revenue is generated through five streams: membership dues (subscription/recurring), events and trade shows (transactional — exhibit space, sponsorships, registration), store sales of publications (transactional, with up to 50% member discounts), magazine subscriptions (recurring), and advertising across publications and event platforms. Membership tiers include both fabricator and supplier executive tracks at the BEC Conference ($350–$1,475 pricing). Significant 2024 non-dues capital came from a $2.1M EPA grant for sustainability transparency tools, and the organization received the 2023 Best Nonprofits to Work For recognition (#16 of 50) from The Nonprofit Times. NGA combined with the Glass Association of North America (GANA) in 2018 and is currently led by President & CEO Lakisha A. Woods, CAE.

Name

National Glass Association

Legal name

National Glass Association

Website

https://glass.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Glass Association is a 501(c) nonprofit trade association, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, that serves contract glaziers, fabricators, manufacturers, and suppliers across the North American glass, glazing, and fenestration industry through membership, training, events, publications, technical standards, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire-Rated Glass & Glazing Assemblies (IMADAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Glazing, Glass & Fenestration Installation (EDAOAAAH), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Industry training platforms
• Technical publications
• Advocacy representation
• Industry events conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to technical resources, advocacy, training, and member-only resources including webinars, legislation tracking, codes & standards help center, and exclusive discounts on store publications (up to 50% off)
2. Events and Trade Shows: Revenue from GlassBuild America (largest annual trade show for glass, window and door industries in the Americas), GFAB Conference, BEC Conference, and other industry events including sponsorships and exhibit space sales
3. Store Sales: Sales of technical publications, manuals, design guides, glass technical papers (GTPs), market reports and training materials. NGA members receive up to 50% discounts on store items
4. Magazine Subscriptions: Subscription revenue from Glass Magazine and Window + Door magazine publications
5. Advertising Revenue: Advertising opportunities in publications including Glass Magazine and Window + Door, and on website and event platforms

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

National Glass Association (NGA) is a nonprofit trade association serving the glass, glazing, window and door industries. It provides membership-based services including industry advocacy and code/standards representation, professional training through MyGlassClass.com and MyGlassFAB platforms, technical publications (nearly 100 Glass Technical Papers and design guides), trade publications (Glass Magazine, Window + Door), and major industry events such as GlassBuild America, BEC Conference, and GFAB Fabricator Conference.

Product overview

The National Glass Association offers a unified platform of industry resources centered around its core membership value proposition. The portfolio includes trade publications (Glass Magazine, Window + Door), professional development platforms (MyGlassClass.com, MyGlassFAB), major industry events (GlassBuild America trade show, BEC Conference, GFAB Fabricator Conference, Glazing Executives Forum, Thirsty Thursday webinars), and technical publications (nearly 100 Glass Technical Papers, Design Guides, Guide to Glass & Glazing Requirements). Additional offerings include the World of Glass Map database, EPD generator tools for sustainability reporting, and an emerging Glass Engineering Curriculum for university education. The NGA Store provides access to technical publications and manuals for industry professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MyGlassClass.com: Online training platform for glaziers, fabricators, and CSRs
• MyGlassFAB
• GlassBuild America

Products and services

• MyGlassClass.com Online training platform for glaziers, fabricators, and CSRs designed to train employees faster and more efficiently. Offers courses, OSHA training, apprenticeship programs, and Bluebeam training courses.
• MyGlassFAB Training Platform Training platform for production personnel in glass fabrication, combining online courses with skills-based activities for safety, glass measurement, math, and quality inspection. Expandable to tempering and lamination processes.
• GlassBuild America Trade Show Largest annual trade show for the glass, window and door industries in the Americas, featuring exhibitors, education, networking, and the Glazing Executives Forum. Held in rotating locations including Las Vegas, Dallas, Orlando, and Atlanta.
• BEC Conference Annual education and networking event for the glazing industry, addressing workforce challenges, business strategies, and technical advancements. Features executive tracks, tabletop displays, and industry speakers.
• GFAB - NGA Glass Fabricator Conference Conference specifically for glass fabricators featuring educational sessions, networking, and factory tours. Includes committee meetings for Fabricating Committee.
• Glass Magazine Industry publication covering glass and glazing news, trends, technical content, and market intelligence for the glass building products industry. Available in print and digital formats with subscription pricing.
• Window + Door Magazine Industry publication covering window and door markets, products, and industry news for the fenestration sector. Available in print and digital formats with subscription pricing.
• NGA Store Online store offering nearly 120 technical and business publications including Glass Technical Papers, design guides, manuals, and market reports for members and industry professionals. Members receive up to 50% discounts on store items.
• World of Glass Map Interactive map and database showing global float glass manufacturing plants and North American glass fabrication facilities, including glass recycling facilities.
• Thirsty Thursday Webinars Monthly live webinars (30-60 minutes) covering industry trends and technical issues, offered at no cost to registrants. Topics include hurricane testing, code changes, EPDs, and workforce topics.
• Glass Technical Papers (GTPs) Technical publications covering specialized glass topics including bird-friendly glazing, laminated glazing, decorative glass, security glazing, fire-rated systems, and glass weight calculations. Nearly 100 GTPs available free for download.
• Design Guides In-depth design guidance publications covering bird-friendly glazing, frameless shower enclosures, and other specialized applications with installation best practices.
• Glazing Executives Forum Annual executive-level forum for leaders of contract glazing and full-service glass companies featuring business best practices and economic forecasts, held as part of GlassBuild America.
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and EPD Generator Tool Industry-wide EPDs for flat glass supporting sustainability transparency, with EPA-funded EPD generator tool for measuring embodied carbon.
• NGA Glass Engineering Curriculum University-level program of study teaching glass engineering design and analysis to engineering and architecture students, covering history, material properties, applications, and sustainability.
• Guide to the Glass & Glazing Requirements (6th Edition) Comprehensive reference guide to model building codes specific to glazing products and applications, including vertical, sloped, fire-rated, railing and door applications. Available in sixth edition at member and non-member pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2023 GlassBuild America: 481 exhibiting companies, 188,300 net square feet, 8,700+ participants from all 50 states and 65+ countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• TrueNorth CollectivemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Sustainability consulting firm providing technical support for NGA's initiative to combine Product Category Rules (PCRs) for flat glass and processed glass into a unified framework for measuring environmental impacts.
• Glazing Industry Code CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Joint advocacy with GICC and Aluminum Extroders Council to develop and promote building code proposals for natural daylighting requirements in residential buildings and schools. Multi-year effort resulted in ICC approval of proposals G143-25 and G144-25.
• IntertekminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 June 2026Testing and certification organization providing webinars on hurricane hazards, life-safety considerations, applicable building codes and standards, and pathways to product approval for windstorm regions.
• International Code Council (ICC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026NGA participates in ICC code development processes through Glazing Industry Code Committee. Successfully advocated for approval of daylighting proposals G143-25 and G144-25 for residential and educational buildings.
• Infinite Recycled TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Collaborated on architectural glass recycling study involving glass and aluminum from parking garage in Rochester, Minnesota. Demonstrates environmental advantages of glass recycling including reductions in landfill waste and carbon emissions.
• Aluminum Extruders CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborated with GICC and NGA to advocate for daylighting requirements in building codes. Joint effort resulted in ICC approval of code proposals requiring minimum net glazed area in residential buildings and natural lighting in educational facilities.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026NGA received $2.1 million EPA grant to fund transparency tools for members to facilitate compliance with sustainability initiatives including flat glass life cycle inventories, EPD development for processed glass fabricators, and end-of-life architectural glass recycling data.
• NGA-ASA AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Alliance partnership with American Subcontractors Association providing member-only resources, advocacy support, and shared initiatives for glazing contractors and subcontractors.
• National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NGA to collaborate with NAWIC on workforce development initiatives to promote careers in glass and construction for women. Part of broader workforce development strategy.
• National Association of ManufacturersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NGA signed NAM R&D Tax Credit Letter as part of coalition of manufacturers advocating for continued R&D tax credit policies that support innovation in manufacturing.
• ASTM InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NGA collaborates with ASTM through F12 Security Committee to develop standards including test methods for forced-entry-resistance of fenestration systems. Also co-publishes Glass and Glazing Standards Compilation with ASTM.
• Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018NGA combined with Glass Association of North America (GANA) in 2018. FGIA serves as association sponsor for GlassBuild America and collaborates on Industry Pavilion at trade shows. Both organizations work together on codes and standards development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC): Nonprofit administering the U.S. fenestration energy-performance rating system used across NGA's member products. Operates a similar membership and standards-development model for the same industry, with significant code-council influence.
• American Subcontractors Association (ASA): Trade association specifically representing specialty-trade subcontractors, with whom NGA maintains the active NGA-ASA Alliance. Shares overlapping membership (glazing subcontractors), advocacy priorities, and education/member-benefit model.
• Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA): Pre-merger independent trade association for insulating glass fabricators, now operating under FGIA. Comparable to NGA in publishing technical guidelines, running education programs, and certifying fabricators in the same supply chain NGA serves.
• Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA): Trade association formed via the 2020 merger of AAMA and IGMA serving the fenestration and glazing industry. Co-sponsors GlassBuild America with NGA and competes for members across standards, certification, and advocacy — the most directly comparable peer.
• American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA): Pre-merger trade association for fenestration product manufacturers, historically peer to NGA's GANA counterpart. Covered overlapping specification and testing standards for windows, doors, and curtain walls in the same building-envelope market.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): Large U.S. trade association for residential construction, of which glazing is a downstream input. Comparable governance, advocacy, and trade-show (IBS) model to NGA, but operating at a much broader industry level.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National construction-industry trade association representing commercial contractors. Runs the same kind of apprenticeship, training, and federal advocacy programs NGA does for glaziers, but across all construction trades.

Emerging players

• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI): National association for building specification professionals, architects, and contractors. Operates a comparable technical-publication and certification model (MasterFormat, CDT credential) that intersects directly with NGA's glass specifications and AIA continuing-education programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glassnation
• Facebookfacebook.com/glassnation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-glass-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Glass Association