Jorma Vitkala is a founder and Chairman of Glass Performance Days (GPD), the world leading glass specialist conference. GPD was organized for the 16th time in 2019 under his leadership. The conference has been running successfully since 1992 expanding from 30 participants to over 1000.

Mr. Vitkala has more than 40 years of industrial experience in the safety glass industry, both at Glaston Finland Oy and its predecessor Tamglass Ltd. During the years he has worked in over 50 countries. He is a frequent lecturer at glass industry conferences and seminars all over the world and has written numerous articles for leading trade publications over the years. He is also a specialist on Low-E glass tempering and has filed and been granted a number of patents related to this field.

The Chairmanship of GPD has been a unique platform to gain perspectives and insight on the global glass industry. Therefore Mr. Vitkala has worldwide contact network of leading glass professionals, ranging from glass specialists and research institutions to architects and structural engineers. Since 1992, he has built a personal network of more than 1,400 speakers from over 60 countries with broad international access and contact to more than 25,000 specialists all over the world. His Linkedln group includes over 16,000 glass expert members.

Mr. Vitkala is retiring from his position as a chairman of GPD during the year 2020. He will stay active at glass industry through Glass Innovation Institute, www.gii.fi and work for a while as a Senior Consultant to GPD and other companies. He will also continue to be a board member in different companies and institutions.

Awards:
Jorma Vitkala Award of Merit – 2017
Aspecial award from HKFA (Hong Kong Façade Association) – 2017
special award from KAFA (Korean Architect Façade Association) – 2017
GANA’s (the Glass Association of North America) honorary membership – 2017
Plaque in recognition of GPD’s25th anniversary from USGlass-2017
Glass builder of the year 2013 by the Finnish Flat Glass Association
Tampere Congress Award in 2001 from the City of Tampere