Roofing roundup

Following the huge success of the 2020 Texas-based IRE where more than 17,000 roofing professionals descended upon the Lone Star State, NRCA invites all professionals to attend its 136th annual convention and Sarasota, Fla.-based Informa’s 2023 International Roofing Expo in downtown Dallas March 6-9.

Held in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which boasts more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space, this year’s show is shaping up to be a big one. Join thousands of industry professionals gathered to participate in seminars and educational classes, network with peers, learn about the latest industry trends, and explore the vast expo floor during the most exciting roofing event of the year.

“Everything’s always bigger in Texas, so NRCA is excited about Dallas and getting the roofing industry back on its regular schedule in 2023,” says McKay Daniels, NRCA’s CEO. “The industry’s innovations and advancements will be celebrated all week. I look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Convention kickoff

The sixth annual National Women in Roofing Day, a conference for multidisciplinary female professionals, will be held Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The full-day program offers participants an opportunity to network with peers while learning about the latest business strategies, tactics and secrets to success. The program will conclude with an evening reception. Additional information is available at nationalwomeninroofing.org.

NRCA events begin Monday, March 6, with NRCA’s Executive Committee meeting and breakfast from 8 a.m.-noon and NRCA’s board of directors meeting and lunch from noon-3 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Omni Dallas Hotel. NRCA’s Affiliate Executives meeting and lunch will take place the following day from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the convention center.

To help ensure roofing professionals attending the expo can make the most of their experience, a First-Time Attendees Reception will be held Tuesday, March 7, from 5:30-6 p.m. Participants can network with peers and chat with NRCA and IRE staff at the lively House of Blues Dallas. The IRE welcome party immediately follows the reception.

Time to learn

Roofing professionals can increase their knowledge and skills by participating in NRCA educational programs during the convention and expo.

On Tuesday, March 7, 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 roofs; and identify strategies for self-rescue and the rescue of others on job sites.

On Thursday, March 9, 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.

NRCA will conduct NRCA ProCertification® assessment demonstrations at booth 3119 March 7-9 during exhibit hall hours. Industry professionals interested in learning more about NRCA ProCertification are invited to see what a hands-on skills assessment looks like and talk with NRCA Qualified Assessors about the process.

NRCA University’s Future Executives Institute—Class 10 will meet Tuesday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 8, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The three-year FEI program teaches roofing professionals about leadership theory and practice and helps them develop management and communication skills so they are ready to effectively lead and manage thriving roofing businesses. FEI-10 students, who are in their second year of the program, will attend classes addressing influence, teams, branding, strategic planning and legal matters. Roofing professionals who are interested in learning more about FEI should plan to attend NRCA’s FEI Informational Session and Alumni Cocktail Reception March 7 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 14th annual Community Service Day Monday, March 6, from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Funded in part with $15,000 donated by primary sponsor 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, including families with young children, seniors and people with disabilities. GAF, Parsippany, N.J., has agreed to donate roofing materials for the event.

Skilled volunteers are needed from various construction disciplines to help with home renovations. Additional volunteers can assist with setup, cleanup and miscellaneous projects. A volunteer registration fee will cover the costs of transportation, breakfast, lunch and beverages.

Financial donations also are needed with a goal to raise $10,000 to fund home repairs. All donations are tax-deductible. Informa encourages industry professionals to spread the word about Community Service Day.

To volunteer for Community Service Day or make a donation, visit theroofingexpo.com/en/events.html or contact Brandi McElhaney, Informa’s senior conference manager, at brandi.mcelhaney@informa.com.

At the expo

On Tuesday, March 7, Chris Czarnik, an author, motivational speaker, and recruiting and retaining talent subject matter expert, will deliver his keynote address, “Winning the War for Talent: One of the Roofing Industry’s Biggest Challenges,” from 9:30-10:50 a.m. To help address the industry’s ongoing labor shortage, Czarnik will outline real-world strategies for employee recruitment, engagement and retention. Attendees will learn actionable strategies they can implement right away.

A welcome party will be held at House of Blues Dallas, a 65,000-square-foot concert and event venue, March 7 from 6-8 p.m. Guests are invited to relax and mingle with friends and peers while enjoying drinks and appetizers and listening to a local band. Attendees also will experience the largest permanently displayed collection of southern vernacular art featuring artwork from more than 150 self-taught artists.

During the trade show, you will want to make sure to visit NRCA booth 3319 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, workforce recruitment resources, supply chain information, Roofing Day in D.C. 2023, LEGALCon Virtual and LEGALCon Live, and a variety of technical topics and risk management issues. Visitors also will find information about the 2023 edition of The NRCA Roofing Manual, Professional Roofing magazine and more.

All visitors to NRCA’s booth will have the opportunity to “Spin to Win” prizes, including a Solo Stove® (sponsored by the Roofing Alliance), Bosch job-site radio, DEWALT® tool backpack, 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 $300 off NRCA membership dues (new members only). And NRCA members can stop by the NRCA member lounge to relax and enjoy complimentary massages sponsored by the Roofing Alliance.

Support ROOFPAC

On Monday, March 6, ROOFPAC will host “A Lone Star Evening,” an NRCA/ROOFPAC extravaganza held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing at Gilley’s Dallas from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Industry professionals are invited to enjoy a cocktail reception and live auction with opportunities to bid on vacations, spirits, handmade items and artwork.

ROOFPAC’s annual silent auction will begin Tuesday, March 7, at 11 a.m. and continue through Wednesday, March 8, at 4 p.m. Held in NRCA booth 3319, ROOFPAC’s Silent Auction will feature stylish jewelry, vacations and electronics, among other items. Participants also can view and place bids on silent auction items electronically by accessing roofpac23.givesmart.com.

An open bar will be provided for NRCA members from 2-4 p.m. March 8 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. March 8. Winning items may be picked up at that time or in NRCA’s booth Thursday, March 9, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information about either event, contact NRCA’s Washington, D.C., office at (800) 338-5765.

ROOFPAC is the federally registered political action committee of NRCA, and contributions will be used for political purposes. Contributions to ROOFPAC are not tax-deductible and the name, address, occupation and employer’s name of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 during a calendar year will be reported to the Federal Election Commission. Contributions are voluntary, and you have the right to refuse to contribute without any reprisal.

Student competition

The Roofing Alliance’s ninth annual Construction Management Student Competition attracted talented students from six schools. The competition is designed to challenge the roofing knowledge, project management capabilities and presentation skills of students. The student teams were tasked with creating a bid to install a roof system on Globe Life Field in Dallas. Each team was required to research the project and submit a qualified bid package proposal before preparing oral presentations.

Student teams from the following schools are participating in this year’s competition:

• Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
• California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
• Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
• Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management, Fort Collins
• Texas A&M University, College Station
• University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction, Gainesville

Up to five finalist teams selected by the competition’s judges will present their oral proposals at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Wednesday, March 8, from 8-11:30 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 Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception.

Recognizing excellence

Join NRCA in recognizing recipients of the roofing industry’s most prestigious awards during NRCA’s Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception. Held Wednesday, March 8, from 5-7 p.m., the event will begin with the election of NRCA’s 2023-24 officers and directors.

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; NRCA’s John Bradford Volunteer of the Year Award; the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award; NRCA’s Gold Circle Awards; the Roofing Alliance’s 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 John Bradford Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional volunteerism for the industry. Established by the NRCA Awards Committee, the award recognizes volunteer acts in service to NRCA and within communities.

The annual CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award, a collaboration between CNA and NRCA, recognizes charitable works performed by NRCA contractor member companies between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2022. 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.

NRCA’s Gold Circle Awards honors members for their outstanding contributions to the industry in the form of unique roofing projects, programs and services completed between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2022. The 2023 award categories include Outstanding Workmanship; Innovative Solutions; and Safety Preparedness and Performance. Twelve projects were nominated for consideration, and the winners will be announced during the ceremony.

This year, 29 nominations were submitted for the Roofing Alliance’s MVP Awards. The awards recognize noteworthy roofing professionals who achieve work-related and personal goals to which others aspire. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding performance/leadership and outstanding community involvement. 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, Agawam, Mass.—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 a calendar year.

All convention and expo attendees are invited to the ceremony to honor the winners and enjoy 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.

See you soon!

Roofing professionals who attend NRCA’s 136th Annual Convention and the 2023 IRE will experience a roundup of the best the roofing industry has to offer. From supporting the industry’s future professionals and honoring its best to networking and giving back to the local community, there are endless ways you can make the most of your time in Texas. Make your plans now to join in on the fun, and let’s make this another record-breaking show!

---

SARA VAUGHN is Professional Roofing’s assistant editor and NRCA’s manager of communications.