MRCA CON EXPO – Low-slope Education Series

By Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA). 

Don’t miss education that is just for you – the low-slope commercial contractor! 

The 71st annual MRCA (Midwest Roofing Contractors Association) Conference and Expo is taking place November 9-11, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here’s what you can expect from this three-day conference and expo. 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021     

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Update on Current Roofing Industry Technical Issues with Mark Graham, vice president of technical services for NRCA.

You need to stay up to date with the latest technical information to ensure your company’s success. Make sure to attend this one-hour session during which Mark Graham, NRCA’s vice president of technical services, will provide insider information into current technical issues in the roofing industry and answer your questions. This is a great way to keep abreast of technical developments and updates in the roofing industry. 

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Low-rise Foam Adhesive Research Project Report: Phase II with Rich Koziol, Tom Rowe and Jeff Plumridge of WJE & Associates, Inc. 

MRCA’s Technical & Research Committee has engaged WJE & Associates to conduct Phase II of our Research Work on Low Rise Foam Adhesives. Our research is focused on obtaining results to this question: What effect does ‘shelf life’ and ‘application temperature’ have on the chemical bond of low-rise adhesives and ultimate roof uplift capacity? The testing protocol is focused on developing real-world outcomes for the application of these products. 
 
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is a global firm of engineers, architects and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair and avoid problems in the built world. WJE engineers and materials scientists will be conducting the tests for MRCA at their own state-of-the-art testing laboratory located in Northbrook, Illinois. 
 
At this session, WJE and the T & R Committee will give details of the testing procedure and the results of the research program. WJE and MRCA’s T&R Committee will then discuss what the results could mean to MRCA Member contractors. Come to this session and find out the facts about the performance of Low-Rise Foam Adhesive. 
 
Research projects like these are made possible by the MRCA Foundation. 

Thursday, November 11, 2021  

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | MRCA / IIBEC Panel Discussion on Communication 

This is a panel discussion with a professional building consultant, an owner (or owner's rep), and a contractor. During this session, we will discuss how to build the team to have the most successful project for everyone. We will talk about the differences between working with a consultant and direct with the owner, the importance of communication and how that affects the team and the benefits of working with a team for all parties involved. 

There seems to be one of two types of contractor perceptions regarding consultants: 1) consultants are unnecessary and 2) consultants get in the way. The exception is when a contractor and consultant work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcome for the owner. How can this be best promoted within the industry? The role of the consultant is to be a facilitator between the owner and contractor. The consultant is there to ensure the owner's interests are protected and the contractor has the clearest roadmap to the next successful project. 

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Hot Air Welding Applicator Safety Certification Training: What Is It? with CERTA Chair Jim Ramser, T&R Chair Randy Adams and Instructor Chris Paulin 

Find out about MRCA’s newest safety training! The Hot Air Welding Safety Certification Program will train your crews on understanding the requirements for handling electric hot air and induction welding equipment and gasoline-powered generator equipment over combustible substrates. 

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | GAF Sponsored Session: Wind Design Based on ASCE 7-2016...for the Midwest with James Kirby from the GAF Building and Science Team 

This presentation will take an in-depth look at wind design concerns and installation considerations for low-slope roofs on commercial and industrial buildings. The latest revisions to ASCE 7-2016 and the impact of those revisions will be discussed. A number of Midwestern wind-design case studies (including design and installation) will be presented. Additionally, the new ASCE Pre-standard for Performance-Based Wind Design will be reviewed. This presentation will provide valuable information for both installers and designers. 

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association will be giving away a 2021 Harley Davidson Street Glide FLHX in classic gloss black to one lucky contractor!  Learn how YOU can walk away the winner! 

Register now for the 2021 MRCA Conference and Expo. 

Learn more about MRCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit mrca.org.