From land and livestock to cowboy hats and colorful personalities, it is said everything’s bigger in Texas. All signs indicate NRCA’s 133rd Annual Convention and Irving, Texas-based Informa’s 2020 International Roofing Expo in downtown Dallas Feb. 2-6 will be no exception.
Held in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which boasts more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space, this year’s event promises to be as unforgettable as its host state. Join thousands of industry professionals gathered to network with peers, learn about the latest industry news and trends, and explore the exciting expo floor during the biggest roofing event of the year.
“NRCA’s annual convention and the IRE are preparing to convene in Dallas for the first time in more than 30 years,” says Reid Ribble, NRCA’s CEO. “With more than 5 million residents and an economy of more than $380 billion, Dallas has set the scene for this event to be the biggest and best yet. You don’t want to miss it!”
Convention kickoff
NRCA events begin Sunday, Feb. 2, with NRCA’s Executive Committee meeting and lunch from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and NRCA’s board of directors meeting from 1-4 p.m. NRCA’s Affiliate Executives meeting and lunch will take place the following day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Omni Dallas Hotel.National Women in Roofing Day, a seminar for female roofing professionals, will be held Feb. 2 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The full-day program offers participants an opportunity to network with peers while attending presentations about business development, communications, career development, mentoring, recruitment and roofing technology. Attendees also will experience hands-on product demonstrations and a safety wear fashion show and receive a light breakfast, lunch and snacks. The program will conclude with an evening activity from 5:30-7 p.m.
To help ensure roofing professionals attending the expo can make the most of their experience, a First-Time Attendees Reception will be held Monday, Feb. 3, from 4-5 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to chat with NRCA staff and IRE show organizers about how to take advantage of classes, exhibits, networking events and resources during the show. Beer, wine and appetizers will be provided.
Educational opportunities
A variety of NRCA educational programs are offered during the convention and expo. NRCA’s CERTA Train-the-trainer Program will be held Monday, Feb. 3, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. at KPost Roofing & Waterproofing in Dallas (participants must provide their own transportation). Through classroom instruction and hands-on torching activities, CERTA program participants will learn about the latest best safety practices for torch-applied roof systems and develop the teaching skills necessary to train others about torch safety. Participants must have some experience training others, be proficient using a roofing torch, and be able to speak and read English. Upon completing the program, participants will be authorized to conduct CERTA certification training for roofing workers. Authorized trainers will receive training materials, including an instructors guide and English and Spanish editions of the CERTA student manual and training video.
On the same day, an NRCA Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z class will be held from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students will learn about fall-protection systems and the most recent state-specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and observe demonstrations of fall-protection equipment and self-rescue techniques. By the end of the class, participants will be able to recognize fall hazards present during roof system installations and repair; use appropriate controls for fall hazards on low- and steep-slope projects; and identify strategies for self-rescue and the rescue of others while on a job site.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, NRCA will hold its Foreman Leadership Training, Level 1, program in English and Spanish from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Field managers, foremen and superintendents will engage in interactive exercises designed to help them learn how to manage and lead effectively, work well with all types of people, handle tough situations tactfully and motivate workers to improve job-site productivity.
New this year, NRCA is offering NRCA ProCertification™ hands-on performance exams Feb. 4-6. NRCA ProCertification roof system installer candidates are invited to take their free hands-on exams during the expo. Interested candidates must apply for the hands-on exam by Jan. 21; sessions are available in the morning and afternoon each day on a first-come, first-served basis.
NRCA University’s Future Executives Institute—Class 9 will meet Monday, Feb. 3, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. The FEI program teaches roofing professionals about leadership theory and practice and helps them develop management and communication skills so they can effectively lead thriving roofing businesses. FEI-9 students will attend classes addressing influence, teams, generations at work, strategic planning and legal matters. Roofing professionals who are interested in learning more about FEI should plan to attend NRCA’s FEI Info Session Feb. 4 from 5-6:30 p.m. Short presentations will explain the program, and current students and FEI graduates will be present to answer questions. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Community Service Day
Join in the spirit of service during IRE’s 11th annual Community Service Day Monday, Feb. 3, from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. For this event, sponsored by Sika® Sarnafil, Canton, Mass., and hosted by the IRE and Rebuilding Together® North Texas, volunteers will help renovate the homes of Dallas residents in need.
Skilled volunteers are needed from various construction disciplines to help with renovations, including roofing, painting, flooring and carpentry. Additional volunteers are needed for setup, cleanup and miscellaneous projects. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and will be asked to sign a waiver of liability. A $30 fee will cover the costs of transportation, beverages and snacks. Financial donations also are needed, and all donors will receive tax-deductible receipts.
Additional Community Service Day sponsors include Carlisle Construction Materials, Carlisle, Pa.; CentiMark Innovative Roofing and Flooring Solutions, Canonsburg, Pa.; ICP Building Solutions Group, Andover, Mass.; KPost Roofing & Waterproofing; and OMG® Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass.
To volunteer for Community Service Day or make a donation, contact Brandi McElhaney, Informa’s senior conference manager, at (972) 536-6392 or brandi.mcelhaney@informa.com.
At the expo
Charlotte Jones, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys, will deliver the keynote address.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Charlotte Jones, executive vice president and chief brand officer for the Dallas Cowboys, will deliver her keynote address, “Building a Brand,” from 9:30-10:50 a.m. Considered one of the most powerful women in sports, Jones will discuss building one of the most recognizable and valuable sports brands in the world and her groundbreaking approach to fundraising. She will share strategies about setting high expectations, the pressure to deliver and continuing to raise the bar. Attendees also will learn about new fan engagement initiatives and innovations spearheaded by the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.
A welcome party sponsored by Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance, Beachwood, Ohio, will be held at The Bomb Factory, a 50,000-square-foot music and event venue, Feb. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Located in the heart of Dallas’ historical Deep Ellum area, the venue was used to manufacture bombs and ammunitions for armed forces during World War II. Now a state-of-the-art entertainment facility, The Bomb Factory has hosted bands such as Nine Inch Nails, PHISH, Radiohead and The Ramones. Guests are invited to relax and mingle with friends and peers while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soda and listening to local band The Rich Girls.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, NRCA’s Emerging Professionals Task Force will hold an Overcoming Common Hurdles to Growth roundtable discussion from 9:30-11 a.m. Program participants will discuss technology trends and IT, worker recruitment and labor, and communications. Brad Sutter, an NRCA vice chairman and executive vice president of Sutter Roofing Co. of Florida, Sarasota, will emcee the session.
During the trade show, you will want to make sure to visit NRCA Booth No. 5715 to speak with NRCA staff and members to learn about the benefits of NRCA membership, NRCA ProCertification, Qualified Trainer Conferences, Training for Roof Application Careers, Roofing Day in D.C. 2020, the Diversity + Inclusion Forum, LEGALCon 2020 and a variety of technical topics, risk management issues and NRCA’s latest resources. Visitors also will find information about the 2020 edition of The NRCA Roofing Manual, the NRCA Bookstore’s valuable technical resources and publications, Professional Roofing magazine, and more.
All visitors to NRCA’s booth will have the opportunity to “Spin to Win” prizes, including a Yeti cooler, free NRCA ProCertification registration and free NRCA membership for one year, among other prizes. Expo attendees are encouraged to take advantage of special show discounts, including $200 off NRCA membership dues (new members only). And NRCA members can stop by the NRCA member lounge to relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments and chair massages.
ROOFPAC events
Comedian William Lee Martin will entertain guests during the event.
On Monday, Feb. 3, ROOFPAC will host “An Evening in the Lone Star State,” an NRCA/ROOFPAC extravaganza held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing at Gilley’s Dallas from 4-7 p.m. Industry professionals are invited to enjoy a reception, live auction and entertainment featuring comedian William Lee Martin.
ROOFPAC’s annual silent auction will begin Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. and continue through Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. Held in NRCA Booth No. 5715, ROOFPAC’s Silent Auction will feature stylish jewelry, vacations, electronics, and advertising and consulting services, among other items. Participants also can view and place bids on silent auction items via smartphone, tablet or laptop by accessing roofpac20.givesmart.com. An open bar will be provided for registered bidders from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 5 during the auction’s final two hours. All proceeds benefit ROOFPAC’s efforts in Washington, D.C. Auction winners will be notified at 4 p.m. Feb. 5. Winning items may be picked up at that time or in NRCA’s booth Thursday, Feb 6, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For information about how to participate in either event, contact NRCA’s Washington, D.C., office at (800) 338-5765.
Student competition
The Roofing Alliance’s sixth annual Construction Management Student Competition attracted talented students from eight schools. The competition is designed to challenge the roofing knowledge and construction, time management, organizational and presentation skills of students and interest them in pursuing careers in the roofing industry. The student teams were tasked with creating a bid to install a new roof system on the Ford Center, the indoor practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas. Each team was required to research the project, review plans and specifications, and assemble a full estimate and proposal to submit a qualified bid package before preparing oral presentations.
Student teams from the following schools are participating in this year’s competition:
Up to five finalist teams selected by the competition’s judges will present their oral proposals at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7:45-11:15 a.m. Each team will make a 15-minute presentation to the panel of judges followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer period. The winning teams will be announced that evening during NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception.
Recognizing excellence
Join NRCA in recognizing the recipients of the roofing industry’s most prestigious awards during NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception. Held Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m., the event will begin with the presentation of the slate of officers for NRCA’s 2020-21 board of directors. Voting will be conducted to officially install new officers.Next, the winning teams of the Roofing Alliance’s Construction Management Student Competition will be announced. The highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the industry’s top awards: NRCA’s J.A. Piper Award; the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award; the Roofing Alliance’s Gold Circle Awards and Most Valuable Player Awards; and NRCA’s Charlie Raymond Award.
Considered the most prestigious award in the roofing industry, the J.A. Piper Award was established in 1947 to honor former NRCA President J.A. Piper’s extraordinary efforts to keep the association alive during the Great Depression. The award is presented annually to a roofing professional who has demonstrated outstanding service to NRCA and the industry. Previous winners have included NRCA presidents/chairmen of the board, committee members and other professionals who have dedicated their lives to advancing the industry.
The annual CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award, a collaboration between NRCA and CNA Insurance Cos., Chicago, recognizes charitable works performed by NRCA contractor member companies between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2019. The winning charity will receive $7,500; a second-place winner will receive $5,000; and a third-place winner will receive $2,500. A People’s Choice winning charity selected via online voting will receive $1,500.
The Roofing Alliance’s Gold Circle Awards program honors Roofing Alliance and NRCA members for their outstanding contributions to the industry in the form of unique roofing projects, programs and services completed between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2019. The 2020 award categories include Outstanding Workmanship; Innovative Solutions; and Safety Preparedness and Performance. Seven finalists have been selected, and the winners will be announced during the ceremony.
This year, 14 nominations were submitted for the Roofing Alliance’s MVP Awards. The awards celebrate noteworthy roofing professionals who demonstrate charity, community involvement, the ability to overcome challenges, dedication and commitment to helping others. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding on-the-job performance/workmanship and outstanding performance/other noteworthy contributions outside the workplace. One MVP Awards winner will be named Professional Roofing’s Best of the Best—an elite recognition co-sponsored by Professional Roofing and OMG Roofing Products—and will be featured in an article in Professional Roofing magazine.
The Charlie Raymond Award is the most prestigious membership recruitment award NRCA bestows. Named for former NRCA President and J.A. Piper Award recipient Charlie Raymond, the annual award is given to an NRCA member who has recruited the most new NRCA members during the calendar year.
All convention and expo attendees are invited to help honor the 2020 award winners at the ceremony, which includes a cocktail reception during which complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. The event is free; advance registration for this event is requested.
Don't miss out
From honoring the industry’s best and supporting its future professionals to taking advantage of educational and networking opportunities and giving back to the local community, there are endless possibilities for roofing professionals to make the most of their time at NRCA’s 133rd Annual Convention and the 2020 IRE. Make your plans now to come on down to the biggest industry show of the year. You’ll leave with new insights, fresh ideas and more than a few Texas-sized memories.
Sara Vaughn is Professional Roofing's editorial assistant.
Did you know?
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center boasts more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space.
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is committed to supporting sustainable practices, including resource conservation, recycling and waste diversion:
More information about the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center’s sustainable practices is available at www.dallasconventioncenter.com/about-us/green-building.
Registration information
For more information and to register for NRCA’s 133rd Annual Convention and the 2020 International Roofing Expo,® contact Candice Grantham, IRE show coordinator, at (972) 536-6354 or candice.grantham@informa.com, or Shelby Snelson, IRE show manager, at (972) 536-6331 or shelby.snelson@informa.com. You also can visit IRE’s website, www.theroofingexpo.com.
For more information about NRCA events and classes, contact the following:
Did you know?
You can connect with the 2020 International Roofing Expo® via the IRE app available for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices, as well as all your favorite social media channels:
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