By Emma Peterson.

Industry leaders look back on a standout WRE and the education, networking and collaboration drawing roofing professionals to the show.

We recently had the chance to host a special Coffee Conversations® episode live from the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)!

This episode featured a panel of four roofing experts – Marc Hansen, senior VP of marketing at JobNimbus; Greg Hlavaty, president of Western Colloid; Melissa Dunson, VP of sales and marketing at Central States Manufacturing; and Ron Lloyd, president of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA).

A large part of the conversation surrounded the 2026 WRE show, which was filled with opportunities for education, networking and more! As Ron put it, “We don’t have a final tally yet, but this year was either our biggest show or second biggest in terms of attendance!” Melissa, who was a first-time WRE attendee this year, echoed Ron’s point, “I'm so excited to be here. There's so much energy and it’s not just vendors, there’s so many contractors and associations here – it's just a really good show.”

Looking at this growth, Marc attributes it to a renewed drive in the industry for education. In his words:

I think part of the reason why we probably see this growth, people are hungry for education and best practices and how can they grow... Everyone’s dealing with limited hours in the day and a struggling market, I think I just read a report that described the market being about 40% down this year. And so, roofers are coming to these shows to look for the ways to overcome that and grow.

For Greg, seeing this growing interest and participation in WRE in particular has been extra special. He shared, “At Western Colloid, we're proud to have been in the very first Western Roofing Expo back in the ‘70s and we’ve been at every one since...So it’s really amazing to see this kind of turnout!”

The rest of our discussion with this panel dives into technology, weather and other big topics impacting contractors today. You can watch the whole episode on-demand on YouTube to hear that discussion.

September 28, 2026 - 2 p.m. PT

You won't want to miss this special Coffee Conversations, sponsored by Western Colloid, coming to you LIVE from the Western Roofing Expo! Join us on day one of the show, Monday, September 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT, as we sit down with industry leaders and experts from across the Western U.S. Guests will include manufacturers, distributors and leading contractors sharing their insights and perspectives live from the trade show floor. We'll discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the roofing industry today, along with what contractors and businesses should be watching as we head into 2027. Tune in from the comfort of your home, on your mobile device or join us in person outside our soundstage at the Western Roofing Expo.

Get notified when we go live on YouTube!

September 28, 2026 - 2 p.m. PT

You won't want to miss this special Coffee Conversations, sponsored by Western Colloid, coming to you LIVE from the Western Roofing Expo! Join us on day one of the show, Monday, September 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT, as we sit down with industry leaders and experts from across the Western U.S. Guests will include manufacturers, distributors and leading contractors sharing their insights and perspectives live from the trade show floor. We'll discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the roofing industry today, along with what contractors and businesses should be watching as we head into 2027. Tune in from the comfort of your home, on your mobile device or join us in person outside our soundstage at the Western Roofing Expo.

Get notified when we go live on YouTube!

By Emma Peterson. 

Join the RoofersCoffeeShop® crew and our giveaway winners at this year’s Western Roofing Expo!  

Just last week, our 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE) ticket giveaway closed, and five lucky winners were chosen! This giveaway was organized in partnership with Western Colloid and each winner received one Full Pass for entry to the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)’s 2026 show ($500.00 value), which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas. What is included in this pass?  

• Access to a premier regional roofing and waterproofing expo that sees over 200 exhibitors and countless attendees. 
• Entry to the annual luncheon sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products and featuring motivational speaker Shereen Thor. 
• The opportunity to attend educational sessions, including en Español content, that will help you level up your business operations and technical skills. 
• Invitation to the legislative luncheon where Craig Brightup (WSRCA political correspondent) and Chad Collins (chairman of the National Roofing Contractors Association board) as they share key updates and news. 

The lucky winners of the giveaway are Marlin Fisher, the VP of field service and director of estimating at Capital 360; Buzz Lynds, sales development specialist at SureSeal Roofing Products; Jesse Pelayo, president and cofounder of TopCal Roofing; Jebran Enriquez, project coordinator at JJA Roofing & Contracting; and Dylan Trent, National Roofing.  

This giveaway might be over, but you still have time to register to attend WRE 2026! 

Get your tickets today!

By Alex Tolle, The Coffee Shops®.

Explore education focused on everything from roof performance and evolving codes to building-envelope design and business management at this year's show.

Continuing education gives roofing professionals an opportunity to step away from daily demands and take a closer look at the systems, materials, requirements and economic forces shaping their work. At the Western Roofing Expo 2026, hosted by Western States Roofing Contractors Association, attendees can explore a broad seminar lineup designed to strengthen roofing knowledge, connect technical decisions to better-performing buildings and help them make better business deciscions. 

The program starts with the evolution of core roofing systems. Ken Klein will examine four decades of single-ply roofing, including changes in materials, attachment methods and detailing driven by jobsite experience. Trent Cotney and John Kenney will offer a wider industry perspective by tracing how roofing materials, craftsmanship, codes and technology have developed over time.

Fire resilience is another important focus. Marco Sieber and Maury Alpert will discuss roof coverings and underlayments that can help mitigate the effects of flame and embers in the wildland-urban interface. Building on that conversation, Jess Grandy will review developing ventilation regulations and fire-resistant vent options intended to help homeowners prepare their properties and meet applicable codes. 

Attendees can also deepen their understanding of moisture and climate-related performance. Phil Dregger will share findings from a three-year study involving water accumulation and wood decay below reflective roofing. Mindy Dahlquist will explore how snow retention, ventilation, roof geometry and material selection affect roof performance in cold and mixed climates across the western United States. 

Several sessions turn attention to design responsibilities and changing building requirements. Brian Chamberlain will clarify the differences between design expectations and manufacturers’ published warranty coverage. Matt Braun will examine emerging air-barrier requirements for reroofing and explain how air, moisture and thermal-control layers interact. Brian will also lead a session on roof-to-wall connections, addressing air leakage, wind resistance, product compatibility and trade coordination at one of the building envelope’s most important junctions.

In addition to the technically focused sessions, there are sessions that focus on business management. One such session will be taught by our President and CEO, Heidi J. Ellsworth! In the session, Roofing Trends That Matter, Heidi will share about the RoofersCoffeeShop 2025 Trends Report, which collected contractor survey data from more than 200 roofing professionals representing residential, commercial and mixed contractors of all sizes. Attendees of this presentation will "gain insight into how contractors are adapting through technology, digital marketing and operational changes" and get practical tips for using "marketing, technology and community involvement to build trust, increase visibility and strengthen long-term business stability."

Together, these seminars offer practical education for professionals working to improve installation, design, compliance and long-term roof performance. Select sessions also provide continuing education opportunities through the American Institute of Architects and the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants.

Learn more about the education available at the Western Roofing Expo 2026.

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.

By Alex Tolle, The Coffee Shops®.

Industry professionals can learn practical strategies for strengthening communication, mentorship and collaboration across generations.

An upcoming webinar from the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), “Young Roofing Professionals: Bridging the Age Gap in Roofing,” will explore how professionals from different generations can collaborate to build stronger teams, improve communication and support long-term success. This session, which will be held Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT, is designed for emerging professionals interested in learning from experienced industry leaders as well as managers looking for ways to better engage the next generation of roofing talent.

The webinar will examine how companies can turn generational differences into competitive advantages through collaboration and mentorship. Attendees will learn about strengthening communication, building knowledge-sharing opportunities and embracing technology while preserving proven industry practices. The discussion will also explore how collaboration can contribute to a culture of growth and leadership.

Presenting the session will be Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager at TRA Snow and Sun, and Megan Ellsworth, multimedia director at RoofersCoffeeShop®. The two will use their own experience and perspectives to shine a light on the value of bridging the age gap to help valuable knowledge move between generations while giving newer professionals room to contribute and grow.

Overall, this session promises to leave attendees with strategies for bringing different perspectives together in order to create stronger connections among employees and prepare teams to move forward together.

Learn more about bridging generational differences in roofing and register for the webinar.

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.