Don’t Miss These Sessions at IRE 2022!

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.