Focus

For the second year in a row, the International Roofing Expo and NRCA's annual convention will be held in Las Vegas. But this year's expo will be bigger—and better—than before.

Washington, D.C.-based Hanley Wood LLC says attendance at the International Roofing Expo should top 10,000, making it the largest U.S. roofing convention ever, and exhibit space is up 5 percent from 2006.

These numbers are great news for the industry, which continues to see consolidation of manufacturers and distributors, as well as partnerships among roofing contractors. The strong attendance proves roofing professionals are striving to improve their business practices and learn new technology.

Some highlights of NRCA's 120th Annual Convention include a luncheon featuring Tom Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a final banquet featuring entertainment by The Rat Pack and comedian Chris Bliss. In addition, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress is holding a sweepstakes for a 2007 Dodge pickup truck. Proceeds will benefit the Alliance's scholarship fund.

Enclosed in this issue is a convention guide with a schedule of events, list of exhibitors and floor plan of the exhibition. In addition, NRCA will be providing daily Web updates about the convention on its Web site, www.nrca.net. The updates will include photos, news items and listings of all award winners.

If you couldn't make it to Las Vegas this year, consider contacting exhibitors for new product information (a full list is available at www.theroofingexpo.com) and glancing at the educational classes that are being offered (also on www.theroofingexpo.com). Chances are, you'll find a reason to attend NRCA's 121st Annual Convention and the 2008 International Roofing Expo, which, by the way, will be held again in Vegas Feb. 21-23, 2008.

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