As I was saying …

It's hard for some of us—well, OK, me—to believe, but the 2014 International Roofing Expo (IRE) is the 10th one following 118 years of NRCA's convention and exhibit.

NRCA made the decision to sell the event to Hanley Wood Expositions in 2004, following a long, deliberative process. The decision arose out of NRCA's strategic planning discussions when it was determined operating a trade show—then representing nearly one-third of NRCA's total revenues—was not necessarily part of NRCA's core mission. Instead, it was felt NRCA resources would be better used providing services members could use every day, such as training programs, technical publications and safety manuals.

In addition, we believed a company such as Hanley Wood could bring economies of scale to bear on a show like ours, providing greater value for attendees and offering services that were beyond the reach of NRCA at the time. This has proved to be the case.

As you walk around the convention center at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino this month in Las Vegas, you'll notice lots of things that simply weren't there before 2004. You'll find a more sophisticated registration process, far more educational program offerings, an opening general session and a series of hands-on product demonstrations. All in all, we think it's a better event.

And the IRE is unique in one special way: It affords the opportunity for noncompeting peers to learn from one another. The ability to network is what many successful contractors tell us is the show's single most important aspect.

Of course, we also think we've lost a few things along the way. When NRCA still planned its convention and exhibit, the event had more of a sense of community, I think, in part because of the involvement of many NRCA members during its planning and implementation. And we did things differently—from having themed cocktail parties to having a formal, closing dinner-dance.

But that's the nature of change. And the bottom line is the proof is in the numbers. The 2014 IRE will likely be the second largest show ever—trailing only NRCA's 100th Annual Convention and Exhibit back in 1987. Nearly 9,000 people will attend this year's event, with a trade show filling about 1,000 booths. Those are solid numbers for an industry that is still making its way back from a deep recession.

So we hope to see you in Las Vegas! There's no place better to celebrate an anniversary.

Bill Good is NRCA's executive vice president.