Worth the gamble

Following the success of the 2023 IRE where more than 14,000 roofing professionals gathered in Dallas to learn about the latest industry news, NRCA invites all members of the industry to attend its 137th annual convention and Sarasota, Fla.-based Informa’s 2024 International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas Feb. 4-8.

The convention will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center, which boasts more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space. Join thousands of industry professionals and 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.

“This year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet,” says McKay Daniels, NRCA’s CEO. “Having IRE and the Super Bowl in Las Vegas is going to bring a whole new level of energy to an already exciting show! Whether new products, world-class educational seminars or just seeing old friends, this IRE has something for everyone.”

Starting the convention

The seventh annual National Women in Roofing Days, a conference for multidisciplinary female professionals, will be held in advance of IRE Sunday, Feb. 4, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 5, from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The two-day program offers participants an opportunity to network with peers while learning about the latest business strategies, tactics and secrets to success. Additional information is available at nationalwomeninroofing.org.

NRCA events begin Monday, Feb. 5, 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., held at the Westgate Resort & Casino. NRCA’s Affiliate Executives meeting and lunch will take place the following day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

To ensure roofing professionals attending the expo for the first time make the most of their experience, a First-Time Attendees Reception will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5:30-6 p.m. at Beer Park, named one of the Las Vegas Strip’s “Best Rooftop Bars” by Thrillist, where participants can network with peers and chat with NRCA and IRE staff.

Educational opportunities

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

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, an NRCA Safety Leadership Workshop will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Attendees will learn about a variety of safety and health topics including risk management, safety culture and insurance. The morning session will address Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulatory updates including OSHA’s new Falls National Emphasis Program and safety onboarding for subcontractors, concluding with a panel discussion about safety culture. The afternoon session will focus on fall prevention, with emphasis on the ANSI/ASSP Z359, “Fall Protection Program Requirements,” standard and equipment updates, concluding with a panel discussing successful roofing company fall prevention programs.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, NRCA will hold its Foreman Leadership Training, Level 1, program from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Field managers and foremen will 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.

Community Service Day

You can help make a difference during IRE’s 15th annual Community Service Day Monday, Feb. 5, from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sponsored by Sika® Sarnafil, Canton, Mass., and hosted by the IRE and Rebuilding Together® Southern Nevada, volunteers will help renovate and repair the homes of Las Vegas residents in need, including families with young children, seniors and people with disabilities. A volunteer registration fee will cover the costs of transportation, breakfast, lunch and beverages.

You also can donate to help reach a goal of $10,000 to fund home repairs and spread the word about Community Service Day. To volunteer or make a donation, visit theroofingexpo.com or contact Brandi McElhaney, Informa’s senior conference manager, at brandi.mcelhaney@informa.com.

At the expo

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, artificial intelligence adviser and speaker Zack Kass will deliver his keynote address, “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Humanity’s New Dawn,” from 9:30-10:50 a.m. As the former head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, San Francisco, Kass strives to ensure businesses are active participants in an AI-powered future; he aims to make AI accessible and understandable and help leaders navigate the evolving technological environment.

A welcome party will be held at Beer Park, Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Guests are invited to relax and connect with friends and peers while enjoying drinks and appetizers and listening to a local band.

During the trade show, visit NRCA Booths 5931 and 6130 to speak with NRCA staff and members to learn about the benefits of PROCertification® and NRCA membership, and Booths 6330 and 6332 to learn about the Roofing Alliance and ROOFPAC.

ROOFPAC

On Monday, Feb. 5, ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee, will host “A Las Vegas Soiree,” an event held in conjunction with National Women in Roofing, at Eight Lounge from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to enjoy a cocktail reception and live auction with opportunities to bid on vacations, artwork and more.

ROOFPAC’s annual silent auction will begin Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and continue the following day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All proceeds will support ROOFPAC. For more information and to register, contact Teri Dorn, NRCA’s director of political affairs, at (202) 510-0929 or tdorn@nrca.net.

Student competition

The Roofing Alliance’s 10th annual Construction Management Student Competition will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 8-11:30 a.m. where five finalist teams selected by the competition’s judges will present their 15-minute oral presentations. Formula 1 Paddock, a new 300,000-square-foot, four-story facility that features the start and finish line of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, has been selected as this year’s student project. The competition is designed to challenge students’ roofing knowledge, construction management skills, time management, and organizational and presentation skills.

Recognizing the best

Join NRCA in recognizing the recipients of the roofing industry’s most prestigious awards during NRCA’s Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m.

During the ceremony, the winning teams of the Roofing Alliance’s Construction Management Student Competition will be announced. A highlight of the event 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.

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.

Established by NRCA’s Awards Committee and named after a former NRCA president, the John Bradford Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to a roofing industry professional who has demonstrated exceptional volunteerism with NRCA and in his or her community.

The annual CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Awards, a collaboration between CNA Insurance, Chicago, and NRCA, recognizes charitable works performed by NRCA contractor member companies between Jan. 1 and Nov. 24, 2023. 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. The 2024 award categories include Outstanding Workmanship and Innovative Solutions.

The Roofing Alliance’s MVP Awards recognize roofing professionals who achieve work-related and personal goals to which others aspire. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding performance/leadership and community involvement. One MVP Awards winner will be named Professional Roofing’s Best of the Best—an elite recognition co-sponsored by Professional Roofing magazine and OMG® Roofing Products, Agawam, Mass.—and will be featured in an article in Professional Roofing.

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, though advance registration is requested.

See you soon

There is no better place to learn about advancements in the roofing industry and connect with other professionals than NRCA’s 137th Annual Convention and the 2024 IRE. Make your plans now to join the fun in Las Vegas!

AVERY TIMMONS is Professional Roofing’s editorial assistant.