Over 20 Opportunities to Learn Virtually

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

The Western Roofing Expo is going virtual, as are the educational sessions!

The Coronavirus has created a “new normal” for everyone in terms of how business is conducted.  Teleworking has forced us to communicate virtually with one another, which has proven to be successful over the past weeks.  Western States Roofing Contractor Association (WSRCA) has also adapted and is hosting their first-ever Virtual Western Roofing Expo (VWRE) offering over 20 virtual and on-demand webinars.

There are many perks to attending the Western Roofing Expo, including networking with old friends and creating new relationships, discovering cost-saving products and services, and attending these educational sessions that help to elevate contractors’ businesses.  That’s why all of the webinars will still be available for WRE registrants.  Normally, attendees would have to choose which sessions to attend, but this year the webinars and sessions will be available through December 31, 2020, allowing registrants to view all of the sessions at their leisure.

These educational sessions will cover topics such as maintaining OSHA compliance, avoiding costly legal mistakes, how to get women on the rooftop, the proper installation of roofing systems and much more!

Wednesday, July 1

Cotney Construction Law will present five different sessions throughout the expo.  On the first day, Ben Briggs and Trent Cotney, the founder and CEO of Cotney Construction, will present “Top 5 Employment Issues in Roofing.”  This course will cover topics such as the legalities of the hiring process, wage and hour issues, employment documentations, hiring and firing and worker’s compensation claims.

Thursday, July 2

During the session, “Construction Contract Provisions,” Trent Cotney will provide an overview of construction contracts, focusing on contract formation and important provisions contractors and subcontractors should include in their contracts.

Monday, July 6

John Pohorsky from GAF will encourage roofing contractors and design professionals to take advantage of test data manufacturers collect and provide to the ICC in order to manufacture code compliant products and systems in the session, “Leveraging Partnerships with Manufacturers to Benefit Roofing Projects and to Reduce Your Liability.”  John will share case examples of proper and improper submittals and their resultant effects, enlightening attendees what the manufacturer’s role is in these workflows and how manufacturers can provide assistance.  

During the session, “A Retrospective Review of Code Changes from 2000-2018/21,” Chadwick Collins with Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) will share about the edition-to-edition code developments and help attendees gain a better understanding of the changes and what changes to expect in the next few years.

Tuesday, July 7

“Performance Analysis of Aged TPO Membranes” will be presented by Jennifer Keegan from GAF.  TPO roof membranes have been analyzed in laboratories, roof farm fields and under accelerated weathering conditions.  Jennifer’s paper will review the long-term performance of a sampling of field-aged TPO roof membranes that have been installed throughout the United States.

Wednesday, July 8

James Kirby with GAF will present “Retrofit Single-Ply Roofs Installed Over Existing Metal Roofs: Wind Uplift and Industry Concerns.”  During this session, James will present the results and analysis of testing that was conducted on mechanically attached TPO with different fastening patterns over flat stock and flute fill polyiso over 24” wide structural metal panels.  

Thursday, July 9

“Prepare Your Low-Slope Roofing Projects to Meet the 2021 ICC Codes” will be presented by Bob LeClare with ATAS International.  Bob will provide attendees with a summary of the code development process and revisions to the International Building, Energy Conservation and Existing Building Codes that will be effective in 2021 that impact low-slope roofing systems.  

A panel of female roofing professionals will discuss “How to Get Women on the Roof - Successful Strategies and Case Studies.”  Panelists include: Danielle Maya, Cotney Construction Law partner; Deidra Johnson, CARE training manager; Jennifer Stone, preferred accounts for John Manville; Maureen Greeves, strategic project manager at Tremco Roofing; Michelle Boykin, chief operating officer at Rackley Roofing.  They will discuss how women are an asset to roofing crews, various policy and procedure adaptations to recruit and retain women, in addition to the benefits these changes will have on creativity, productivity and profits. 

Monday, July 13

Trent Cotney will also present “Avoiding Legal Pitfalls When Scaling Your Company.”  He will discuss how cash flow, standardized processes and supply chain logistics can make or break businesses.  

Ryan Groth, the CEO of Sales Transformation Group, will teach contractors the value of knowing when to say no to an opportunity and knowing when an opportunity is a good fit for the company in his presentation “To Bid, or Not to Bid: That is the Question.”  

Tuesday, July 14

Jacqueline Feliciano and Matt Pipes from Cotney Construction Law will explain the importance of having a succession plan in place during their presentation, “Business Succession Planning in Construction: An Essential Tool in Your Toolbox.”  Without a succession plan, the death of an owner or qualifier can harm a business’s survival.

Also on Tuesday, Trent Cotney will share his expertise on how to improve workplace safety and safety programs, what to expect during an OSHA inspection, in addition to what actions a contractor and subcontractor should take when receiving an OSHA citation, during his presentation, “OSHA Inspection and Citation Process.” 

Wednesday, July 15

Alison LaValley with National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS partner and owner of HJE Consulting, will present “Roofing, Labor Shortage and Embracing Diversity, Technology and the Next Generation.”  During this session, Alison and Heidi will provide current roofing initiatives that are being implemented by the NRCA Diversity and Inclusion committee, Roofing Alliance, National Women in Roofing (NWIR) and Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3).  They will also share how these trends are creating higher levels of professionalism and inclusion, thus attracting and retaining stronger and more talented workers in the industry.

This is just a glimpse of what to expect from the Virtual Western Roofing Expo!  Other webinars will cover topics such as surviving uncertain times, current issues the roofing and waterproofing industries are facing, and policies to include in employee handbooks.   With access to these webinars available through December 31, 2020, registrants will be able to view every session and learn from numerous industry professionals.

Don’t miss out, pre-register now for the first-ever Virtual Western Roofing Expo!  Check here for all the VWRE show details. 

Not a Member of Western States RCA?  Join us!  Or call Toll Free 1-800-725-0333.