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IRE 2026 is almost here!

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 PST

By Emma Peterson.

What to expect from this year’s international roofing expo.

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is the premier and largest expo dedicated to the roofing industry. Whether you’re a contractor or industry professional, IRE is the place to be! With countless education sessions, networking events and booths on the trade show floor, IRE offers unmatched opportunities.

This year’s show begins on January 20, and we are already counting down the days! If you’re attending, make sure to stop by our booth to say hello to the Coffee Shops crew (booth can be found in the trade show lobby) as well as our industry friends, like Terial (booth #1665), A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply (booth #2131), Equipter (booth #4231), All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1601) and Latinos En Roofing (booth #5461). For those still deciding whether or not to get a ticket, we sat down for an episode of Roofing Road Trips® with Brandi McElhaney, IRE show manager, and Rich Russo, IRE director, to learn why this year’s expo is a must-attend for any roofing professional!

One of the biggest changes coming this year is the addition of a new exhibitor program! Brandi explained, “We’re very excited about our new program, IRE First Look. It's a specialized exhibitor participation program for those new to the market. So, it helps businesses new to the roofing sector, showcase their solutions through efficient, cost-effective exhibits that, while smaller than traditional booths, create a great way to get your foot in the door.”

Additionally, this year’s show will feature an expansion of the exteriors offerings. Brandi shared, “We've doubled the size of our exteriors pavilion, which is dedicated to the exterior product categories and home improvement, windows, solar doors and siding. for 2026. We’re also partnering with SRS on a pro contractor pavilion education area that will showcase exterior products.” This dedication to building out the show’s exterior products sector comes as a response to past contractor feedback. Rick explained, “This is something that came out of one of our focus groups a couple of years ago when we asked the industry, ‘What are you looking for?’ We had some contractors come up to us and say, ‘Hey, we want to expand our roofing business, but we’re not sure how.’ So, we created the pro contractors pavilion as a space for those roofing contractors that want to expand their businesses to learn how to expand their businesses into new categories.”

And last but not least, the IRE team has worked to make their offerings even more accessible with Spanish language support! Not only do they have their Spanish education track, but they have incorporated a tool that can translate non-Spanish offerings for Spanish-speaking professionals. Brandi explained, “We’re using Wordly. It’s a program that you basically just scan a QR code when you walk into the room and the program translates English to Spanish or vice versa. We want everyone to get the most out of the show, and this is part of making that possible.”

Listen to the whole podcast to learn more about IRE 2026.

The countdown to IRE 2026 has begun!

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 PDT

By Emma Peterson.

Get ready for three days full of roofing education, networking and innovation.

January 2026 might seem far away right now, but with the holiday season quickly approaching, it’ll be here before we know it! And with January comes the International Roofing Expo (IRE). This year’s IRE will be hosted from January 20–22, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada.

If you’ve never been to IRE before, it is the place to be for roofing and exterior professionals! From an expansive trade show floor to countless education sessions, IRE will be full of learning, networking and fun! The Coffee Shops™ crew will be there hosting our LIVE soundstage sponsored by our friends at SRS Distribution in the lobby, so make sure to stop by, say hi and see what’s happening.

Education en Español

This year’s show features 45 different educational sessions! Be on the lookout for an article focused on these sessions as we get closer to IRE. For now, we wanted to highlight the Spanish offerings!

This year, one of the nine different education tracks available at IRE is designed specifically for Spanish-speaking roofing professionals. The sessions available in this track will feature incredible speakers, like Yessie Gomez (SRS), Alan Diaz (Elevate), Amparo Sancen (Latinos en Roofing) and Moises Morales (Advosy Construction).

The trade show floor

Over in the expo hall, IRE will be hosting over 500 exhibitors! Again, The Coffee Shops will be in the lobby, but a lot of our partners, such as All Weather Insulated Panels (Booth 1601), A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply (Booth 2131), BITEC (Booth 2313), Equipter (Booth 4231), Service First Solutions (Booth 1855) and Van Mark Products (Booth 4744) will be on the show floor. Go and say hello to them as you explore the new products available and connect with other roofing professionals.

In addition to the large number of exhibitor booths in the Expo Hall, there are also a variety of show-floor demonstrations and building clinics! These are a great way to sharpen your business and roofing skills as you explore.

Check out the full list of exhibitors!

Networking events

There are numerous networking events to attend, and we are especially excited about these:

Annual Community Service Day: Happening preshow on Monday, January 19, this is the 17th annual service project hosted in conjunction with IRE. At this event, you will get the chance to work side-by-side with your peers to repair and revitalize homes for low-income families in Las Vegas.
Welcome Party: Wrap up the first day of IRE 2026 at the beloved welcome party! This event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and is a great opportunity to network and have fun with industry professionals.
EmpowerAll Reception: This special National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) event, happening on Tuesday from 4-5 p.m., celebrates the unity in our roofing community.
The Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition: A highlight every year, this competition challenges students around the country to “demonstrate their roofing knowledge, master project planning and excel under pressure. By attending, you’re not only supporting students, you’re also investing in the next generation of roofing professionals.”

The Coffee Shops are also proud to be sponsoring the annual IRE First Timer's event! This is the perfect opportunity for people new to the show to meet network in an informal setting.

Register and reserve

Planning to make the trip to Vegas for IRE 2025? Book your hotel and register now! The team at IRE has worked with onPeak to secure a discounted rate on hotel rooms for attendees of the show. These rates average 30% less than what you would find on other travel sites!

As for your registration, there are a variety of options for show passes that you can choose from:

Expo Pass: Gives you show access for all three days, access to the show floor demos and access to general sessions.
Super Pass: Everything included in the Expo Pass plus access to all the conference sessions and a ticket to the welcome party!
Day Conference Pass: Everything in the Expo Pass with the addition of a single (1) day of conference sessions (Tuesday, Wednesday OR Thursday). If you choose Tuesday, it includes a welcome party ticket.

Do note, NRCA members do get discounts on all pass types!

Book your hotel and choose your pass today!

Get ready for NERCA’s 96th Annual Roofing Convention and Trade Show!

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:00:00 PST

By Anna Lockhart.

This year’s event has a ton of exciting events in store for attendees that you won’t want to miss!

North / East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) is getting ready to host their annual convention and trade show this month! From March 12 – 14, 2024, at the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, NERCA members and roofing professionals from across the Northeastern United States are invited to join in on the fun and exciting trade show taking place!

This year’s convention and trade show will be sponsored by respected industry brands A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Beacon Building Products, Elevate and MRCA, among others! Designed to provide networking and growth opportunities for professionals across the roofing industry, this convention will provide participants with the chance to see the latest and greatest coming out of the industry this year!

The trade show floor will be open March 13 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and March 14 from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. The Coffee Shop crew will be at booth #503, make sure you come say hi and get some fun swag.

Here’s what we are most looking forward to at the show:

Empowering Roofers for the Future: Solar-Ready Roof Installation

This special educational session on March 12 will be hosted by Greta Bajrami, CEO & founder of Golden Group Roofing, and will center around the steadily increasing interest in sustainable energy and how this impacts the roofing industry. Solar is on the rise; do you have what it takes to meet the increasing demand? Join Greta as she walks participants through the process of equipping homes and buildings with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and how to gain the skills needed to successfully navigate this steadily changing market of the future.

Empowering Women in Roofing: Allies and Advocates Discussion

Join the National Women in Roofing (NWiR) on March 13 for a special round table discussion about the importance of advocacy and allyship in the roofing industry. They will discuss the ways in which allies can be created and boosted within the industry and how businesses and roofing professionals can implement change in their day-to-day activities and interactions. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss with panelists the importance of making change and how to do so on their own!

Using Contract Provisions to Enhance Safety and Reduce Personal Injury and Property Damage Claims

Led by Stephen Phillips Esq., this special seminar on March 13 will highlight the importance of job site safety and how contractors can take better care of their crews on the job. Keeping the dangers of personal injury, property damage and other risk factors that crews can face out in the field is incredibly important for business owners, and learning how to navigate these liabilities and lower the risks can be a tremendous benefit. Join Stephen as he breaks down his top recommendations to maximizing rooftop safety, navigating OSHA standards and how to implement lifesaving practices into daily practice.

OSHA 10 Hour Training Course in English & Spanish

Check out this two-day training course from March 13 –14 which will walk participants through a series of OSHA standards and best practices. This training course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate a jobsite safely and with the proper knowledge of handling hazards with care. During the training sessions, instructors will go over skills such as hazard identification, avoidance, control and prevention. Upon completion, participants will receive their OSHA 10 Hour Certification Card from the Department of Labor.

From the Welcome Reception on March 12 to the Latinos in Roofing Reception March 13 and all the educational sessions and networking opportunities, you won’t want to miss this NERCA Convention and Trade Show. We’ll see you there!

Learn more about the NERCA 96th Annual Roofing Convention and Trade Show!

Meet the Best in The Midwest at the 2023 MRCA Conference

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:00:00 PDT

By Evelyn Witterholt.

The MRCA 2023 Conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska on October 18-20, 2023.

Midwest roofing contractors rejoice! The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association’s (MRCA) 2023 Conference is right around the corner. On October 18-20, join hundreds of roofing contractors, builders, consultants and more as they meet in Omaha, Nebraska for this exciting expo.

There will be lots of fun and exciting events at this year’s conference, including informative speaking sessions and networking opportunities. On Wednesday, October 18, you don’t want to miss the Young Contractors Council’s Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Party and Casino Night. Attendees are encouraged to dress in western attire for this fun casino night. All proceeds will be going to the MRCA Foundation and the Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy.

If you can’t make it to the casino night or are eager to have more fun, on Thursday, October 19, check out the 11th annual foundation auction. The auction is free for all registered attendees and exhibitors and there will be a black and white dress code.

There are many educational speaking sessions to attend during the show. On Wednesday, October 18, at 2:15 p.m., we encourage you to attend “It Takes More Than a Hard Hat to Keep a Head Safe: The Value of Mental Health Awareness in the Roofing Industry.” This session will be hosted by Mandy McIntyre, RCS Influencer and owner of Level Up Consultants. Join Mandy for this important discussion of mental health issues in the construction industry and how to provide mental wellness resources for those in need.

Be sure to stop by booth #202 to say hello to the Coffee Shop crew! There we will be streaming live interviews from the show, so subscribe to our YouTube channel to check those out.

The MRCA show is sponsored by numerous companies and the following friends of the Coffee Shops:

Register for the 2023 MRCA Conference today!

Can’t-miss Booths at the NERCA Trade Show

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 11:00:00 PST

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter.

The North / East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) is set to host its 94th annual trade show.

This year’s North / East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) Convention and Trade Show is expected to have a great turnout. The event is set to take place March 1 – 3 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although the deadline for registration has passed, we are currently offering a free pass that contractors can use at the door to attend the event.

With nearly 200 booths and quality educational seminars, this convention is great event for contractors in the northeastern United States to attend. RoofersCoffeeShop® will be there at booth 529, so swing by and say hi to Heidi Ellsworth, Karen Edwards and Tim Ellsworth. At the booth we’ll be giving out our special 20th anniversary celebratory swag!

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) will also be there at booth 130 and they will be hosting a networking event on March 2 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Members from the NWIR board of directors and local councils will be attending and time will be devoted to discussing empowering women in the roofing industry. Register for the event today!

Here are some other booths work checking out:

ABC Supply – Booth #411
A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply – Booth #425
APOC – Booth #118

ATAS International – Booth #226
Beacon Building Products – Booth #401
CertainTeed – Booth #301
DECRA Metal Roofing – Booth #125
Duro-Last – Booth #233

Estimating Edge – Booth #606
Flascho – Booth #127
GCP – Booth #326
Hunter Panels – Booth #612
ICP Group – Booth #620

IKO – Booth #229
Johns Manville – Booth #417
Leap – Booth #531
Owens Corning – Booth #114
Polyglass – Booth #228

Sashco – Booth #624
Sika – Booth #325

Learn more about NERCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nerca.org.

About NERCA

NERCA is the founder of the NEREF scholarship. They are the regional association for roofing contractors covering the northeast part of the country. Their territory includes: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Delaware.

Don’t Miss These Sessions at IRE 2022!

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:00:00 PST

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter.

Join members of the roofing industry, including our very own RCS president, for an exciting couple of days full of speaking sessions!

This year's International Roofing Expo (IRE) is set to be an exciting couple of days for everyone in the roofing industry that is attending. The expo will take place on February 1-3 in in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Over the course of three jam-packed days, attendees will find that there is no shortage of speaking sessions to attend. Here are some of the most exciting sessions that will take place:

Casting the Net for Your Future Workforce

Join RoofersCoffeeShop® President Heidi J. Ellsworth as she moderates this panel on how to work with young people that are interested in roofing. During this session, she will join Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) contractor members as they discuss how they are working with schools and youth programs to help them joining the future roofing workforce. The speakers will be: Graham Roofing Incorporated Owner Christee Holbrook, PB Roofing Co-founder John Peck, Antis Roofing founder Charles Antis and Cognitive Contractor CEO Josey Parks. Information on this session can be found here.

Tuesday, February 1

Coffee is for CLOSERS - Join SRS Distribution Inc.’s Director of Contractor Training John DeRosa for this presentation about provisions restoration contractors should consider.
Electrifying News – Steep-slope Contractors Plug Into Integrated Photovoltaic Roof Systems - Learn about the phenomenon of photovoltaic technologies and how roofing contractors are using them. Speakers include: Helene Hardy-Pierce from GAF, John Goodman from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Ken Kelly from Kelly Roofing, Mark Stancroff from CertainTeed and Tommy Rodrigues from Tesla.
The Sales Pitch for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: What Contractors Can Do Today to Improve Employee Recruitment and Retention - This session will cover elements of diversity, equity and inclusion as a leadership skill. Executive Director of National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Ellen Thorp and Preferred Accounts Manager of Roofing Systems at Johns Manville Jennifer Stone will be speaking.

Keynote Session: Lessons… An insider’s look at 40 years of Learning, Falling, Failing, and Succeeding - Join NRCA CEO The Honorable Reid Ribble for this special keynote session. Here he will share a whole life’s worth of lessons based on his work in the roofing industry and in Congress.

Wednesday, February 2

NRCA Update on Roofing Industry Technical Issues - NRCA’s Vice President of Technical Services Mark Graham will present an overview of roofing-related technical issues. Time is allotted for questions from participants.
Evolving in an Everchanging Business Environment: Roundtable Discussion - This forum style discussion will allow participants to discuss how the pandemic has affected productivity and engagement in their company. Speakers include: Brad Sutter from Sutter Roofing, Charles Antis from Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, CJ Martin from Showalter Roofing Service, David Sanders from Beacon Building Products, Jason Stanley from IB Roof Systems, Kyle King from James King Roofing LLC and Paige Harvill from Nations Roof.
Job Hazard Analysis: How can they help with your company’s safety? - Join NRCA’s Richard Trewyn as he presents what Job Hazard Analysis is and how it can be used to enhance safety within your company.

Understanding Metal Roofing - Director at Metal Roof Advisory Group and CEO and founder of S-5!, Rob Haddock is set to present this course on metal roofing, which is a great introduction for both beginning and experienced building professionals. Part 1 will start at 7:45 a.m. and Part 2 will start at 9:30 a.m.
Stop Training Start Coaching - SRS Distribution Inc.’s John DeRosa will speak on the importance of how managers can coach employees as opposed to training them.
Resilient Asphalt Shingle Roofs - For this conference, join asphalt roofing experts as they discuss ways asphalt roofs can resist environmental challenges. Speakers include: Aaron Phillips from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), Brian Davis from GAF, Stephanie Kiriazes from Firestone Building Products and Steve Hern from CertainTeed Roofing.
The Economics of Roofing: The Market Ahead - Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Angi Inc., is set to discuss the economics driving the roofing market and what to expect in 2022.
Estimating the Right Way - Join John Kenney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants as he discusses the ins and outs of making estimations.

Fundamentals of Insulation Vapor Retarders, Air Barriers and Attic Ventilation - NRCA’s Mark Graham will discuss fundamentals of vapor pressure drive and moisture vapor movement in an accessible way.
GEN Z: The Roofing Industry’s Future Has Arrived - This discussion panel will be all about educating roofing professional in how to recruit entry-level, younger employees into the roofing industry. Speakers include: Bob Morgan from Upstate Roofing & Painting, Nick Sabino from Deer Park Roofing Inc., Sherri Miles-Foley from JD Miles & Sons Inc., Tim Stephens and John Esbenshade, Jr. from NRCA.
Revolutionary Marketing - From NASCAR, to Football, to the Rackley Army - Anna Anderson from Art Unlimited and Chris Sutton from Rackley Roofing Company Inc. will discuss how to start a marketing revolution within your company.
How to Grow your Roofing Business by Cross-Selling Siding & Windows - Erik Zadrozny and Justin Powell from Beacon Building Products will present how to cross-sell siding and windows and grow your company by doing so.
Maximizing Efficiency with Polyglass Self-Adhered Roofing Membranes - Betiana Acha and Marco Sieber from Polyglass will present the innovations in self-adhered modified bitumen and how they can promote labor efficiency without sacrificing performance.

Thursday, February 3

Adapting to Material Price Increases and Shortages - Learn about all of the latest issues involving material pricing and delays and strategies for negotiating. Speakers include: Jason Dark from Durolast Roofing, John Kenney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, Leo Ibarra from Blue’s Roofing, Patrick Cochran from Red Dog Roofing and Trent Cotney from Cotney Construction Law.
How to Leverage your Distributor as a Partner for Success in Today’s Environment - Erik Zadrozny and Greg Bloom from Beacon Building Products will outline the easiest and best ways to improve your business by aligning with suppliers.
Metal Deck 101 - Metal Deck Replacement - Learn the ins and outs of replacing metal decks with A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply’s Sales Manager Michael Polizzi.
Unlocking Service Growth - Live! - Join Ryan Groth of Sales Transformation Group and Greg Hayne of the Hayne Coaching Group for a live version of their “Unlocking Service Growth” podcast. Other speakers include: Jim Bush from Weather Shield Roofing Systems, Jimbo Spann from Spann Roofing and Sheet Metal Inc., Kyrah Coker from National Roofing Partners and Michelle Boykin from Rackley Roofing Company Inc.

2021 I-codes: Roofing-Related Changes - NRCA’s Vice President Mark Graham will be speaking about the roofing related updates to the International Code Council’s model codes. Time will be allotted for audience questions.
Blueprint for the Future: Building a Successful and Resilient Company - This panel will discuss major issues the construction industry is facing and possible solutions. Speakers include: Erika Mosse from Pro Remodeler, Nick Sabino from Deer Park Roofing Inc., Rob Balfanz from Vinyl Siding Institute and Shashi Bellamkonda from Leap LLC.
Evolving Your Culture and Brand - Charles Antis from Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and The Honorable Reid Ribble from NRCA will discuss how the culture and brand of Antis shifted during the global pandemic
Making Your Business Better: Residential Contractors Committee Roundtable - This roundtable discussion will be moderated by John Arellano, senior manager of GAF. Speakers include: Derric Stull from Ridge Valley Exteriors Inc., Gary Howes from The Durable Slate Company and Ken Kelly from Kelly Roofing.

View the whole schedule of sessions here!

Learn more about IRE in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.theroofingexpo.com.

Participate in National Roofing Week This June

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 18:00:00 PDT

By National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

National Roofing Week raises awareness about the importance of roofs and celebrates good deeds within the industry.

National Roofing Week is an annual event centered on roofs and the roofing industry. NRCA is encouraging the roofing community and its members to inform the public about the crucial role roofs and roofing contractors play in our everyday lives. Organized by NRCA, National Roofing Week will take place on June 6 - 12, promoting hiring roofing professionals and making informed decisions about replacing and maintaining roof systems.

In celebration of National Roofing Week, NRCA will host the We are Family Raffle, sponsored by A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. Open to all NRCA member companies, the raffle involves companies taking a group photo of all employees—their roofing family—and submitting it to NRCA for a chance to win a prize. NRCA will draw three winners at random, and winners will be announced Friday, June 11th. Winners will have their choice of $500 worth of prizes for their roofing families. Winning photos will be posted on NRCA’s social media platforms and on display at the 2022 International Roofing Expo.®

NRCA also will be sharing its members’ stories through its various social media outlets and Professional Roofing magazine. Social media is a huge factor in the success of National Roofing Week, so be sure to share your company’s photos and videos and use #NationalRoofingWeek in your posts! Members across the country are encouraged to share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation, and signature roofing projects with NRCA.

National Roofing Week kits will be mailed to contractor members soon, and additional information will be available on NRCA’s website.

Learn more about NRCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nrca.net

Original article source: NRCA