After an unprecedented year of disruption and time spent apart, NRCA is excited to invite roofing professionals to attend this year’s show offers attendees safe and engaging opportunities to network, visit exhibits on the expo floor and enhance their industry knowledge during educational programs.
“Although this year’s IRE is certainly different and will have a different feel to it, one thing will remain the same: The IRE is a must-attend event for roofing professionals across the entire supply chain,” says Reid Ribble, NRCA’s CEO. “Exhibits that show the newest and most advanced products will be on display; educational offerings will be exciting and informative, helping you grow your business; and networking opportunities will be everywhere. Don’t miss it!”
National Women in Roofing Day
National Women in Roofing Day, a seminar for women in the roofing industry, will be held in advance of the IRE Sunday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The full-day program offers participants an opportunity to network with peers while attending sessions addressing business development, communications, career development, mentoring, recruitment and roofing technology. Attendees also will experience hands-on product demonstrations and a safety-wear fashion show. A light breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. The program will conclude with a fun evening activity from 5:30-7 p.m. Additional information is available at nationalwomeninroofing.org.
Community Service Day
Industry professionals are invited to participate in the 12th annual Community Service Day. Traditionally, Informa partners with a local chapter of Rebuilding Together® to help make critical home repairs for community residents in need, including low-income senior citizens, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Although volunteers can’t physically work on projects this year, tax-deductible donations are welcome to help reach Informa’s $10,000 goal. Money raised will be used to purchase materials for Rebuilding Together
Southern Nevada’s projects, including helping a Las Vegas resident in need of a new HVAC system. Material donations also are being accepted. In addition to industry professionals’ donations, the IRE will donate a portion of all paid registration fees.
Additionally, Informa is seeking a roofing contractor in the area to assist with a roofing project. Lee Ann Luttrell, 73, has been a Las Vegas resident for 35 years. She has multiple disabilities that make it difficult for her to get around independently and require her to use a walker. Luttrell is in dire need of a new asphalt shingle roof system for her home. In addition, the evaporative cooler on her roof needs to be removed and fascia on the gable side of the home needs to be replaced. To donate materials or assist with the roofing project, contact Brandi McElhaney, Informa’s senior conference manager, at (972) 536-6392 or brandi.mcelhaney@informa.com.
On Monday, Aug. 9, ROOFPAC will host an NRCA/ROOFPAC reception and live auction held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing at the House of Blues from 4-7 p.m. Industry professionals are invited to enjoy an entertaining evening while supporting ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee. For more information and to register, contact Teri Dorn, NRCA’s director of political affairs, at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.
Educational Opportunities
Several NRCA and Roofing Alliance educational programs are offered during the convention and expo. NRCA’s Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z class will be held Monday, Aug. 9, 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 the same day, NRCA will hold its Foreman Leadership Training, Level 1, program 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.
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, A College-Level Course in Roofing! Who Knew? will be presented from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at booth No. 260 on the expo floor. The Roofing Alliance and Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., have partnered to develop and implement a roofing-specific course as part of the university’s curriculum. Dhaval Gajjar, assistant professor at Clemson University, and Bill Good, NRCA’s former CEO, will explain the background of the partnership, students’ perception of the course and how industry stakeholders can capitalize on this new opportunity in their own communities. Participants will learn how the course was developed; identify strategies that can be used to partner with local educational institutions; discuss how to assist local educational institutions in offering roofing courses; and discuss how to partner with schools of construction management by serving on advisory boards, offering to be guest lecturers or developing internship programs.
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, Training and Sustaining Your Workforce will be presented from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at booth No. 260. Participants will learn from a panel of roofing industry leaders how to successfully approach workforce development and use NRCA ProCertification,® Training for Roof Application Careers and Qualified Trainer programs to address the need for a competent, sustainable and high-performing roofing workforce.
NRCA also is offering NRCA ProCertification handson performance exams Aug. 10-12 at 7 a.m. and noon daily. Clay and concrete tile roof system installer candidates and thermoplastic roof system installer candidates are invited to take their free hands-on exams during the expo. Interested candidates can register at nrca.net/ procertification/training/exam-ire; registration must be completed by July 30. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited.
Roofing professionals who want to test their readiness for NRCA ProCertification are encouraged to take free knowledge exams at a computer station operated by NRCA staff at the Magellan Boardroom near the expo floor. Staff also will be available to answer questions and assist with NRCA ProCertification applications.
At the expo
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, a welcome party will be held at the Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay from 6-8 p.m. Participants can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, live music and complimentary drinks and appetizers while networking with colleagues and friends. All first-time IRE attendees are invited to arrive early and mingle poolside before the welcome party begins.
During the trade show, hundreds of companies will exhibit at booths on the expo floor, offering countless opportunities for industry professionals to learn about the newest products and services. Highlights include a business and technology pavilion, a metal marketplace and exhibitor clinics with live product demonstrations.
Be sure to visit NRCA booth No. 2635 to learn about the benefits of NRCA membership and NRCA’s latest offerings, including NRCA ProCertification, NRCA’s legal conference, the NRCA Health Care Program, Training for Roof Application Careers, Qualified Trainer Conferences and Roofing Day in D.C. 2022. You can speak with NRCA staff about a variety of technical topics, supply chain shortages and risk management issues, as well as find information about the 2021 edition of The NRCA Roofing Manual, the NRCA Bookstore’s valuable publications and resources, worker recruitment and retention resources, Professional Roofing magazine, and more.
All visitors to NRCA’s booth will have the opportunity to “Spin to Win” prizes, including free NRCA ProCertification registration and free NRCA membership for one year, among other prizes. Expo attendees also are encouraged to take advantage of special show discounts, including $200 off NRCA membership dues (new members only).
See you soon
After spending more than a year apart, there is no better place to reconnect with the roofing industry than NRCA’s 134th Annual Convention and the 2021 IRE. Make your plans now to visit Las Vegas and experience all the industry has to offer. You won’t want to miss it!
SARA VAUGHN is Professional Roofing’s assistant editor and NRCA’s manager of communications.
COVID-19 safety information
To help protect attendees’ health and safety, the IRE will be organized in accordance with Informa AllSecure standards, including:
Additional information is available at theroofingexpo.com/en/health-safety-faq.html.
Registration information
For more information and to register for NRCA’s 134th Annual Convention and the 2021 International Roofing Expo,® contact Jolyne Doyle, IRE operations manager, at jolyne.doyle@informa.com, or Candice Grantham, IRE show coordinator, at candice.grantham@informa.com, or call (800) 6845761. You also can visit IRE’s website, theroofingexpo.com.
For more information about NRCA events and classes, contact the following:
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