Focus

It's the time of year for roofing professionals to see new offerings at the 2008 International Roofing Expo® and NRCA's 121st Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

This year, NRCA is introducing NRCA University and the university's first e-learning program: Roofing 101. During the expo, NRCA will demonstrate the program's first module, which is an introductory roofing course for those new to the industry. Subsequent modules (there will be five in all) will focus on specific roof systems and more in-depth information about the industry. Demonstrations will take place during expo hours at NRCA's booth, No. 1325.

The program is expected to be available this spring. More information is available by contacting NRCA University at (800) 323-9545.

Also new this year, NRCA's related organizations will have their own booths. The National Roofing Legal Resource Center (NRLRC) will be at booth No. 1334, and The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress will be at booth No. 1332.

Visitors to NRLRC's booth will receive information about the organization's legal offerings, annual seminar and publications. Those who stop by the Alliance's booth will learn about the Alliance's new scholarship program and upcoming research projects.

And if you stop by NRCA's booth, you can bid on ROOFPAC auction items, which will be displayed at the booth for the first time.

As in years past, NRCA will hold a luncheon and dinner banquet during which various awards and honors will be presented. Both will be held Friday, Feb. 22.

The luncheon will feature the presentation of NRCA's Charlie Raymond Award for member recruitment and the Alliance's Most Valuable Player Awards. The banquet will honor winners of NRCA's Gold Circle Awards and SpecRight Excellence in Design Award, as well as the J.A. Piper Award, the roofing industry's highest honor.

A schedule of events, floor plan and list of exhibitors can be found on page 65. For more detailed information about NRCA's convention, contact Bennett Judson, NRCA's associate executive director of meetings and convention, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@nrca.net or log on to www.nrca.net. More information about the 2008 International Roofing Expo is available at www.TheRoofingExpo.com.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's senior director of communications.