5 Reason to Attend the 70th Annual MRCA Conference and Expo

By Kevin Gwaltney, MRCA President.

The excitement is building for our upcoming convention on November 20th-22nd in Overland Park, Kansas.

The MRCA staff is hard at work finalizing schedules and plans. I would personally like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors for supporting the MRCA Conference and Expo. It is your commitment that brings energy and value to the event. The MRCA directors and staff have done their part in planning and full slate of educational opportunities, events to network with your industry peers and attracting exhibitors and sponsors. I appreciate all the effort that the MRCA staff and committees have put into planning this event.

It is tradition in the MRCA, that the President chooses the site location for the convention for the year that they are serving as President of the association. The decision was made to come to the Kansas City area for many reasons, but essentially roofing contractors have supported the MRCA with attendance to this location in the past and we felt we could count on their continued support.

I have attended the MRCA convention religiously for the past 25 years and have a 20-year streak of attending without missing. I wanted to share with you the reasons I have been willing to make the investment and commitment to attendance.

Networking with peers. The contractors that attend this show are professional and many of them run great companies that respect the trade while providing value to their customers. If there is opportunity to interact with this type of person, I consider it a can’t miss opportunity for me to learn and improve my business.

Education opportunities. The slate of education at this convention is contractor oriented. Many times, it has been prepared by a fellow contractor or at least vetted by a fellow contractor, the topic is relevant to my business and will help me improve my business.

Leading edge. MRCA is branded as the “Contractor’s Advocate.” I can recall many times in the past 20 years of attendance that I learned a new product, piece of equipment, or an application technique. MRCA takes great pride in creating an atmosphere for this type of learning and sharing.

Position yourself as an expert. MRCA contractors are widely known and respected in our industry as a 1st in class roofing contractor. If you want to be the best, you have to associate with the best. Clients have an additional level of comfort to do business with contractors that take pride in learning their trade.

Encounter new vendors and suppliers. I have heard the ideology this generation has information that at our fingertips, at all times. And it’s true. But the fact remains, that it does not replace the personal interaction that is needed to gain respect and trust in your vendor supplier relationship. MRCA has worked very hard to bring leading vendors and suppliers to our tradeshow.

Being in business should be rewarding and fun. I am a proponent of the work hard, play hard philosophy. The MRCA convention is a place that you can have fun! Some of my favorite events to attend are the Young Contractor’s Council Fundraiser Welcome Party and the MRCA Reception and Foundation Auction. The stage is set, I am asking for your attendance to the MRCA Convention in Overland Park, KS on November 20th-22nd at the Overland Park Convention Center. Your attendance is vital to the success and growth of your career and business. Not taking this opportunity to attend the MRCA convention, may leave you on the sidelines watching others play the game.

Always stay safe and productive,
Kevin Gwaltney
MRCA President
Diamond Roofing
kevin@diamond-roofing.com

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