Headed to Alamo City

Join NRCA as it goes deep in the heart of Texas to San Antonio for its 126th Annual Convention, which will be held Feb. 3-7 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in conjunction with Washington, D.C.-based Hanley Wood LLC's 2013 International Roofing Expo (IRE).

The expo has experienced steady growth during the past several years, with the 2012 IRE realizing a 3 percent increase in attendance and 5 percent increase in exhibiting companies compared with the 2011 IRE, which also saw an 18 percent increase in attendance from 2010. The growth is sure to continue with this year's convention and expo being bigger than 2012's with plenty of educational and networking opportunities for attendees.

Convention Kickoff

NRCA's convention will begin Sunday, Feb. 3, with NRCA's Executive Committee meeting from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., affiliate executives meeting and lunch from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and board of directors meeting from 1-4 p.m.

Additionally, ROOFPAC, NRCA's political action committee, will hold a new event this year: a Super Bowl Bash, sponsored by UNIFLEX, Cleveland, and Geocel, Elkhart, Ind. The Super Bowl Bash will be held Feb. 3 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. at the Marriott Rivercenter. Attendees will join fellow NRCA members and industry representatives to watch Super Bowl XLVII on wide-screen TVs and partake in a buffet dinner and drinks. All proceeds from the event will benefit ROOFPAC. Registration forms are available at www.nrca.net/rp/education/convention/2013/roofpac.aspx.

Educational Opportunities

NRCA will hold a number of educational opportunities beginning Monday, Feb. 4, with CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization, a 10-hour accreditation program explaining how to teach roofing torch safety. The class will be held from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Also on Monday, NRCA will hold Photovoltaic Roof Systems: Energizing Your Business from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Participants will learn the latest information about the terminology, benefits, design considerations, construction details, electrical considerations, code compliance, and business and legal issues associated with photovoltaic roof systems. Class attendees also will receive complimentary copies of NRCA Guidelines for Roof Systems with Rooftop Photovoltaic Components and Building Owners Guide to Roof-mounted Photovoltaic Systems, which will serve as the program's technical basis.

Additionally, NRCA's Roofing Safety: OSHA 10-hour Program, a construction program designed to help attendees identify and avoid hazards they likely will encounter on the job, will be held Monday, Feb. 4, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 7-10:30 a.m.

NRCA University also will hold its Future Executives Institute (FEI) classes Feb. 4 and 5 at the Marriott Rivercenter. FEI is a comprehensive three-year program focusing on leading and managing a thriving roofing business. The FEI-5 class will be held Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Feb. 5 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The FEI-6 class will be held Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Feb. 5 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

NRCA also will hold its For Foreman Only, Level One class Thursday, Feb. 7, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The course focuses on management skills and teaches foremen how to communicate effectively and work well with all types of people. Participants will learn how to handle tough situations tactfully, establish credibility, build rapport with crew members and motivate workers to improve job-site productivity.

Additionally, Roof Integrated Solar Energy™ Inc. will hold its Certified Solar Roofing Professional™ exam Thursday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Community Service

Rebuilding Together® San Antonio, IRE and NRCA's Community Service and Disaster Relief Committee will hold IRE Community Service Day, a home renovation and revitalization project sponsored by Sika Sarnafil, Canton, Mass., Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Participants will renovate the home of 54-year-old Concepcion Merendon and 53-year-old Enrique Merendon who have lived in the house for 20 years. Enrique is unemployed and disabled. He receives frequent kidney dialysis treatments and has permanent back injuries and nerve problems in his legs.

Skilled and nonskilled volunteers are needed from a variety of construction disciplines. For more information and to volunteer, go to www.theroofingexpo.com/attendee or call (973) 536-6392.

Legal Lowdown

The National Roofing Legal Resource Center will try something new this year. Rather than hold its traditional breakfast program, it will hold a luncheon program Feb. 5 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The luncheon will feature two discussion panels—"ICE Audits: Are You at Risk?" and "Observations from the Field: Legal Do's and Don'ts."

During "ICE Audits: Are You at Risk?," Brad Beldon, president of Beldon Roofing Co., San Antonio, and Scott Kawulok, executive project manager of B&M Roofing of Colorado Inc., Frederick, will share stories about their unexpected Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits to help attendees determine whether they are in compliance and prepared if they are ordered to submit their hiring records for inspection.

During "Observations from the Field: Legal Do's and Don'ts," Mark Graham, NRCA's associate executive director of technical services; Dane Bradford, president of Bradford Roof Management Inc., Billings, Mont.; and Stephen Phillips, a partner with Atlanta-based law firm Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt, will discuss how attendees can limit liability and protect themselves from a number of legal and technical problems in the field.

Benefitting ROOFPAC

ROOFPAC, NRCA's political action committee, will hold its annual golf tournament Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. The tournament, sponsored by Johns Manville, Denver, will be held at TPC San Antonio golf resort. TPC San Antonio features 36 holes of golf designed by golf course architect Pete Dye and World Golf Hall of Fame Member Greg Norman. The club is one of the newest additions to the PGA TOUR's TPC Network of Clubs.

Tournament participants will receive lunch, a complimentary raffle ticket to win an iPad 2; a goody bag; access to a post-tournament reception, which will feature an open bar and hors d'oeuvres; and prizes, including an opportunity to win $10,000.

ROOFPAC's Silent Auction will be held Feb. 5 and 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at its booth No. 1672. Participants will be able to bid on vacations, jewelry, electronics and memorabilia. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit ROOFPAC, and winners will be announced Feb. 6 at 4:30 p.m.

The Expo

The expo will begin Feb. 5 with the keynote address, Endeavor to Succeed, presented by retired astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly. Kelly is an experienced naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War and has been decorated with the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew the first of his four missions in 2011 aboard space shuttle Endeavour, which he then commanded on its final flight in May 2011. He also led the mission team aboard the space shuttle Discovery.

Kelly became the center of international attention after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). Kelly will discuss how to accomplish goals while maintaining the love and devotion to family that is the foundation of true success.

IRE also will hold its welcome party Feb. 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the historic Sunset Station, a National Historic Landmark located in St. Paul Square near the San Antonio River Walk and the Alamo. The party will include music, casino tables and food from Sunset Station's Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine and give attendees the opportunity to network with other roofing industry professionals.

Recognizing Excellence

NRCA will recognize all award recipients at its awards ceremony and cocktail reception, which will be held Feb. 6 from 5-7 p.m.

The ceremony will formally recognize the recipient of NRCA's J.A. Piper Award, the roofing industry's most prestigious award presented to a roofing professional who has demonstrated outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry. The award was established in 1947 and is named after former NRCA President J.A. Piper in appreciation of his service during the Great Depression. The Charlie Raymond Award, named for former NRCA President and J.A. Piper Award winner Charlie Raymond, also will be presented to the NRCA member who has recruited the most new members during the calendar year.

NRCA's Gold Circle Awards, which recognize NRCA members for outstanding contributions to the roofing industry, and The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress' Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, also will be presented at the ceremony. The MVP Awards recognize and honor outstanding roofing workers from various U.S. regions who serve as role models and demonstrate work-related and personal goals to which others aspire.

NRCA also will recognize the winner of the first CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award. The award, a collaboration between NRCA and CNA, Chicago, honors charitable works performed by NRCA contractor member companies between Jan. 1, 2012, and Nov. 30, 2012. The winning company will receive $5,000 payable to the charity represented in the winner's entry, and two runners-up will receive $1,000 each.

Additionally, NRCA will recognize its retiring officers and directors, as well as FEI's 2013 graduating class.

Go Big

This year's convention is sure to be big, so if you're looking for a chance to expand your industry knowledge, learn about new products and meet professionals from a variety of industries, then head to San Antonio for NRCA's 126th Annual Convention and the 2013 IRE.

Beth Wang is Professional Roofing's editorial assistant.

Registration information

For more information and to register for NRCA's 126th Annual Convention and the 2013 International Roofing Expo,® contact Hanley Wood Expositions at (866) 860-1970 or go to www.theroofingexpo.com.

For more information about NRCA events, contact the following:

NRCA: Bennett Judson, NRCA's associate executive director of meeting services, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@nrca.net
NRCA University: Amy Staska, NRCA University's associate executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7566 or astaska@nrca.net
NRLRC: Alison LaValley, NRLRC's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7573 or alavalley@nrca.net
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress: Bennett Judson, the Alliance's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net
ROOFPAC: Duane Musser, NRCA's vice president of government relations, at (200) 400-2592 or dmusser@nrca.net

Did you KNOW?

Hanley Wood is expecting 930 booths, 430 exhibiting companies and 8,500 attendees at the 2013 IRE.

You can follow the 2013 IRE on Pinterest at pinterest.com/roofingexpo. The account features boards for copper, solar, green, slate, metal and tile roof systems, as well as information about the 2013 IRE and sites to visit in San Antonio.

The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is located within walking distance of the Alamo, which is open every day. More information is available at www.thealamo.org.