As I was saying …

With most of the industry gathered in Las Vegas this month, it's good to remember, as the wit said, that the lucky rabbit's foot didn't work out too well for the rabbit.

Ours is an industry, by definition, of risk takers. Any job—or accident or injury for that matter—can jeopardize your business. And yet, we've never figured out how to price these risks into typical bids.

To be sure, there are lots of ways to mitigate risk. Buy insurance wisely, for example. Make training an ongoing company initiative. And buy from suppliers who will be there if something goes wrong.

This is all common-sense stuff, of course, and easier said than done, especially in a worsening economy. All business owners are watching expenses and saving cash; still, there is a big potential price to pay for too much corner cutting.

And I'd like to suggest there is another risk for roofing contractors, as well, and that's the risk of doing nothing.

That means roofing contractors need to know what's going on in their industry: where the new technologies will lead us, what to expect in terms of pricing and delivery, and how to plan to compete with more aggressive competitors. Congratulate yourself if you are in Las Vegas for the 2009 International Roofing Expo® (IRE) and NRCA's 122nd Annual Convention; they are the best ways to learn what's going on.

But more important, roofing contractors need to pay attention to what's going on in the country. There will be new legislation passed this year that will affect us all; there will be new regulations issued we'll need to comply with; there will be court decisions made that will change the way the industry behaves; and there will be changes in building codes and standards that will affect the way we operate. If you don't know about these issues or can't anticipate them, you run the risk of being left behind.

So make productive use of your time in Las Vegas. If you couldn't attend this year, pay attention to NRCA's news sources. Visit www.nrca.net often. Read the monthly reports from NRCA's Washington, D.C., office. Review NRCA's technical bulletins. These resources have never been more important. Also, let us know what is happening in your area; the more information we receive, the better we can serve the industry.

And one more thing: If we experience an earthquake during the IRE, head to the keno lounge. Nothing ever hits there.

Bill Good is NRCA's executive vice president.