A hidden gem: Local trade shows shine bright

By Emma Peterson.

Learn about the power of attending regional trade shows for boosting your business and personal growth.

Everyone has heard of the big trade shows like the International Roofing Expo (see you there soon!), METALCON and the likes, but smaller, local shows should not be overlooked. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards spoke to Amanda Fields and Matthew Wallace about the importance of not only boosting business growth but also building roofing community. Amanda is the executive director of the Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) who will be hosting their 2025 Pacific NW Regional trade show on March 7, 2025, at the Tulalip Resort Casino. Matthew also works with RCAW as a member of their board of directors. Beyond his work with them, he’s a lifelong roofer and a co-owner of Hope Roofing, serving the Olympic Peninsula.

Both of them are strong believers in the power of trade shows. Amanda explained, “I think that participation in local roofing trade shows not only boosts growth, but it fosters professional development and strengthens community ties. Plus, workshops, participating in training sessions or installation techniques, safety practices, business strategies, all that fun stuff that can boost your credibility and expertise, but they help you build your business with your growth and marketing.” Matthew echoed Amanda's sentiments from a contractor's perspective. He added, “A roofing contractor in any given day of any year, it's mostly hard days. And the trade show is a day where you're going to work and it's actually pretty fun and relaxing. So, that’s something to look forward to.”

But even beyond that, they believe that local trade shows in particular hold a unique power. This is because of their ability to address regional or area specific issues, concerns and situations with a specificity that is not possible at the larger-scale shows. For RCAW in the Pacific Northwest, weather and climate are unique factors that are often discussed at their show. Because the attendees are all handling similar challenges even if they are from different microregions, it can make it a lot easier to find solutions together. Matthew explained, “If someone presents me with something and they tell me they've had great response from these other contractors in my area, they're using it in this capacity, they're using it to solve these problems, it's held up in these ways. That's definitely going to get my attention and I'm going to check that stuff out and probably test it out.”

Read the transcript or Listen to the episode to learn more about RCAW and how local trade shows like theirs help contractors grow!