If you install, service, sell, manufacture or specify commercial and residential roofing products, organizers say you need make plans now to attend the 2016 International Roofing Expo this month in Orlando, Florida.
It is no secret that when it comes to fun destinations, Orlando ranks at the top of the list. Beyond the promise of amusement parks, fine cuisine, museums, galleries and usually beautiful weather, the roofing industry will find plenty of opportunities to network, view new products, hone their trade skills — and have some fun Feb. 17-19 at the Orange County Convention Center.
“The 2016 IRE provides roofing professionals an exceptional opportunity to see, touch and feel new products, attend exceptional educational sessions and network with peers,” said Tracy Garcia, show director. “In just three days, you will have access to all the latest products, services, technologies, equipment, education and innovations driving the industry.”
With more than 500 exhibiting companies, 1,100 booths and 16 hours of exhibit time, visitors will find a wide range of multi-dimensional sheet metal products, services and technologies — all designed to help you stay competitive, profitable and strong, organizers say.
On display will be products to help attendees profit, such as gutters, insulation, ladders, coatings and adhesives, siding, fasteners, sheet metal forming machinery, sheet metal works equipment and tools, metal roofing, roof and decking materials, ventilation, waterproofing and many more products.
The “tool zone” is a new area of the show floor that will spotlight companies providing hand and power tools which are used every day on the jobsite. You will discover new trends and products designed to expand your productivity — with many tools available for purchase.
Find exactly what you need to keep your business on the cutting-edge in the product showcase, where you will have the chance to see, try and compare the latest products in the following categories: “new,” “sustainable,” “safety” and “made in the USA.” A panel of industry experts will select the “best new product” and “best sustainable product” based on innovation, productivity and cost-effectiveness — organizers say it’s like the Oscars for new roofing products.
Everything metal roofing
Stop by the Metal Marketplace on the show floor to find sheet metal products manufacturers supplying metal products, designs, building concepts, tools and services. If metal is your specialty, you should find what you need here, officials say.
In the Business & Technology Pavilion, attendees will find the latest business and technology products and services, while meeting the suppliers that will help you select the right trends to help you keep your sales up all year long.
Learn tricks and tips from Equipter, OMG and Tremco as they present exhibitor product clinics of their products, equipment and materials. Presented daily on the show floor, you will meet in a small group setting to get an up-close look at the products and services they offer.
Find new products, meet new exhibitors and have a chance of winning $2,000 by participating in the Treasure Quest game. Follow the map to each of the participating booths to receive an official stamp on your map. Once you have secured all the required stamps, submit your card to be entered into the drawing. You must be present to win. Winners of cash and/prizes are responsible for the payment of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.
Experience small group business training with executive-level professionals by participating in the Roofing Institute, sponsored by Johns Manville. Organizers say you will sharpen and hone your business acumen, as well as increase the effectiveness and productivity of your business through these condensed classes covering topics from business strategies and leadership to increasing profits and more. Held on the show floor, these business basics classes are free with all registration packages. Seating for up to 40 people is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Surviving Everest
During the Feb. 17 keynote address, Dr. Beck Weathers will describe his experiences as a survivor of the 1996 Mount Everest expedition tragedy where eight people died. The pathologist and mountain climber will share how he was one of more than 30 climbers descending from Everest’s summit in May 1996 when a violent storm hit the mountain with heavy snow, subzero temperatures and hurricane-force winds. The speech is free to attendees, but advance registration is required.
After the show closes Feb. 17, attendees can go to Cuba Libre restaurant at the Pointe Orlando complex for the expo welcome party at 5:30 p.m. Appetizers, wine, beer and soda will be presented in this open-air, Latin-themed restaurant. All guests must be 21 years of age with valid identification and conference name badges. Free shuttle service from the expo is available.
Show participants are encouraged to put their hands to work in the community by helping repair and rebuild the homes of families that are elderly, disabled or financially unable to support the renovation. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the International Roofing Expo’s Community Service Day will take place Nov. 16. Tax-deductible monetary donations are needed as well as volunteers to perform a variety of construction disciplines. Lunch will be provided.
Women in Roofing is a volunteer-based organization with the goal to provide networking, mentoring and education for females in the industry. It is sponsoring its second annual reception at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Rosen Centre hotel. All female roofing professionals attending the expo are invited.
Education and inspiration
Besides the large trade show, the roofing expo’s conference program is tailored to industry workers the specialized knowledge and training needed to win more bids and make more money.
The expo’s educational conference offers 44 knowledge-building sessions in eight tracks where attendees will learn the best practices and the latest technologies designed to improve your skills and grow your business. Forty out of the 44 sessions this year offer new topics. Four of last year’s most popular courses will return. Many of them have been approved by Florida state licensing officials for continuing-education credits.
Sessions will cover integration of solar, safety, sealing strategies, metal roofing, vapor retarders, roof design, fall prevention, sustainability, drones, asphalt shingles, weathering, storm water management, labor savings, as well as marketing, customer service and management skills.
Held Feb. 17-19, classes are 90 minutes long and don’t overlap the exhibit hall hours, allowing attendees ample time on the show floor, organizers say. Tracks cover technical, workplace safety, leadership/management, green building, legal/human resources, money matters, sales and service, and general business.
Sessions are specifically targeted to commercial, residential and metal roofing contractors; owners, CEOs and general managers; superintendents and supervisors; architects, designers and consultants; sales staff and estimators; manufacturers, suppliers and building owners and facility managers.
Among the scheduled sessions are “Understanding the Residential Roofing Market: Using Data to Understand Your Market Potential,” which will take place at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 18. This session will provide residential roofing contractors information on how they can leverage local market data and to give them a better understanding of their own local markets.
Full session descriptions and information are available at www.theroofingexpo.com or by calling (800) 684-5761. A mobile app for Android and Apple products is also available. Organizers point out that anyone interested in the show can visit these social media for information and to meet other potential attendees.
Twitter users can follow the show using “#RoofingExpo” or send a message through @RoofingExpo. Show photos can be accessed at www.flickr.com/photos/RoofingExpo.
This article and its images were supplied by Informa Exhibitions.
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