Mark Your Calendars for June 12-14, 2020

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

The 2020 IIBEC International Trade Show and Expo is going virtual!

For three days, June 12-14, 2020, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) is hosting exhibitors, educational sessions, a keynote speaker, and the CEO roundtable at their 2020 IIBEC International Trade Show and Expo.  Although no one is traveling to Houston, Texas this year, there will be plenty of opportunities to “meet” with exhibitors, learn from industry professionals, and network.

Brian Pallasch, IIBEC Executive Vice President and CEO, shared, “During these unprecedented times, we’re all having to figure out different ways to conduct our business.  IIBEC is very pleased to announce our 2020 virtual annual convention and trade show.  We’re going to be offering IIBEC members and others access to 24 educational sessions and a virtual trade show to be able to access our industry partners.  The dates for the trade show and convention are June 12-14, however, you’re going to be able to access all of that content and the exhibitors all the way until July 15.”

A.B. Stoddard, associate editor and columnist with RealClearPolitics, will be the keynote speaker this year.  Regularly appearing on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, CNN, and MSNBC for her expertise as a political commentator, A.B. addresses elections and the political landscape of the day.  Nonpartisan, she regularly meets with sources and politicians of all stripes.  Her talks cover ongoing budget battles, current happenings between Congress and the White House, and the electoral prospects for the two parties.  

The virtual trade show can be accessed by a computer, tablet or phone, allowing attendees to connect with representatives from manufacturers of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall products via live chat.  Attendees will log into a portal, which will have a great hall they will “walk” into and select different sessions to participate in.  The virtual trade show, which RoofersCoffeeShop® will have a booth at, will be similar to the in-person trade show.  Participants will be able to ask questions, request private conversations with representatives, and view exhibitor materials.  After the live show, registrants will still be able to submit questions and request additional information by sending a message from inside the booth.

“We are really excited that we’re going to be able to offer all of the educational courses that we were going to offer in Houston,” Brian shared.  Attendees will have access to all 24 educational sessions.  Some will be live while others will be pre-recorded allowing the speaker to answer questions in real time, thus creating more of an interactive experience for attendees.

For each presentation attended, participants can earn one CEH (continuing education hours).  Because of how the software works, these sessions will be accessible through July 15, 2020.  “People are going to be learning that they can do this now, any time, on demand, which is going to make a huge difference to a lot of people who are trying to keep their credentials up,” Brian revealed.

On Friday, June 12, join Jennifer Keegan from GAF for her session, “Performance Analysis of Aged TPO Membranes.”  New thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof membranes have been analyzed extensively in laboratories, roof farm fields and under accelerated weathering conditions.  Jennifer will be presenting a paper on the long-term performance of a sampling of field-aged TPO roof membranes that have been installed in various locations throughout the United States.

Later that day, Joan Crowe, manager of codes and regulatory compliance at GAF, and James Kirby, building and roofing science architect with GAF will share their knowledge on “Simplifying the Complicated Process of Wind Design and Roof Systems.”  While wind design for roof systems is complicated, it became more confusing with the latest version of ASCE 7.  The presenters will discuss the similarities and differences between the three versions of ASCE 7, as well as the roofing industry-developed methods to determine loads.  They will also dive into the listing services that provide wind-uplift-rated roof systems, such as FM, UL and SPRI.

On Saturday, June 13, three women roofing professionals will discuss “Retaining Talent Through Coaching and Mentoring.”  Panelists will include: Jennifer Keegan, director of building and roofing science for GAF, Jennifer Stone, preferred accounts at Johns Manville, and Ellen Thorp, the executive director for National Women in Roofing (NWIR).  These women will discuss the importance of supporting women on the rooftop and in the office, as well as the value of creating a culture of collaboration within the company.  They will also discuss the value of having consultants who possess a basic skill set including coaching, mentoring and emotional intelligence in order to retain the future workforce.

“Physical Testing for Wind Resistance of Retrofit Single-Ply Roof Systems Over Structural Metal Panel Roof Systems” will be presented on Sunday, June 14 by James Kirby from GAF, and Mohamed ElGawady, Professor and Benavides Faculty Scholar at Missouri University of Science and Technology.  Retrofit single-ply roof systems (RSPRS) are being used to re-cover existing structural metal panel roofs more often nowadays.  One of the main concerns is wind uplift when an RSPRS is installed over a structural metal panel roof.  Three test roof assemblies have had ASTM E1592 physical testing, and the results from an analysis of these three physical tests will be presented during this session.

Also on Sunday, join Scott Hinesley, President of IIBEC and President of REI Engineers, Inc., and three industry leaders for the CEO roundtable “Navigating the Design and Construction Industry Through Uncertain Times.”  Panelists will include Reed Hitchcock, Executive Vice President, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), Reid Ribble, CEO of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and Lakisha Woods, President and CEO of National Institute of Building Sciences.  During their discussion they will address short-and long-term challenges the design and construction communities will face as the industry moves out of lockdown caused by COVID-19.  These challenges include, but are not limited to, remote working, employee health and safety, insurance and liability issues, and contract forbearance.

Make sure you check out our RoofersCoffeeShop® booth and visit our RCS partners too:

• ATAS International

• GAF

• IB Roof Systems

• McElroy Metal

• National Women in Roofing (NWIR)

• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

• RCI-IIBEC Foundation

• SOPREMA

• S-5!® Metal Roof Innovations

• Tremco Roofing

Brian comments, “While all of us would have preferred to meet in Houston, we are very excited to provide IIBEC members and the building enclosure industry a premiere educational event, virtually.  We think it’s the first of its kind in this industry to provide education and industry access in a time when we all can’t meet together.”

Don’t miss out, register now!  Check here for all the IIBEC show details.