Ray Giovine - Who’s Ready to Mingle? IRE 2021 - PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of an live interview with Ray Giovine from Informa and the International Roofing Expo. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast. 

Announcer:
Welcome to Roofing Road Trips with Heidi. Explore the roofing industry through the eyes of a long-term professional within the trade. Listen for insights, interviews, and exciting news in the roofing industry today.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Hello and welcome to another Roofing Road Trips. This is Heidi Ellsworth with RoofersCoffeeShop. And today we are finding out what's happening with IRE live this summer in August in Las Vegas. I am here today with Ray Giovine and I am really, really happy to welcome you back to the show, Ray. Thank you for being here.

Ray Giovine:
Oh, well, thanks, Heidi for having me back on your show.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Yeah. You're the talk of the town. Everybody's talking about IRE. Everybody misses everybody and they all want to get back together in August. So we thought we'd take a little bit of time, dive in and see what this summer's IRE looks like compared to past events. How's it looking?

Ray Giovine:
Well, Heidi, a lot of things have changed and are changing, but first let me give you a little bit of context about the show. At last year's event in Dallas, we had our biggest turnout in attendance and the largest amount of exhibitor participation ever. While more people are getting vaccinated every day and there's a sort of a sense of normalcy is returning, we know that everybody may not be able to attend the event this summer. However, we are expecting a strong turnout from both our attendees and exhibitors and are thrilled to be bringing the roofing industry back together in-person.

Ray Giovine:
As for some of our current and permanent changes, here are some of the examples. First off a keynote speaker. The keynote address has always been a way for us to bring the largest crowd at the event all in one place. We love seeing everybody come together and listen to our speakers. However, we felt like this year was probably better perhaps to postpone the keynote session until our February event in New Orleans in 2022. This will help us prioritize the health and safety of our attendees, but we do look forward to bringing back the keynote again next year.
Something else that has changed is our Community Service Day, that has gone digital. So it's going to be a little bit different. Each year that we partner with a local chapter of Rebuilding Together to help make critical home repairs for those in need. Typically, volunteers come in early and give their time to make those repairs. However, this year will not be able to work on that project physically. So this summer at our 12th annual Community Service Day project, we're going to go digital.
So that means that we'll be working together with Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada, to help them raise funds, to help them complete vital projects in the area. Our goal is to raise around $10 and partner with a local Las Vegas roofing company to assist with a reroofing project. The IRE community can help in several different ways. First off, they can make a monetary donation when you registered for the event and help us hit our goal. In addition to any donations we received, the IRE will be donating a portion of all paid registration fees to the project.
Other ways to help are donating much needed supplies to Rebuilding Together and helping us spread the word about the event. For more information on that, obviously you can visit the IRE website. We're also adding a windows and sidings pavilion. Earlier this year if you attended our virtual event, we introduced new exhibitors in education for the windows and sidings market. We're excited to have a new pavilion on the show floor dedicated to these segments. So again, that windows and sidings pavilion and there you'll be able to find all the products and services specific to these markets, as well as the new Windows and Sidings Education Theater.
And there's even more. So also new this year, we've chosen to make two big changes to our live event experience. That'll be the removal of carpet and the transitioning to digital badges as part of our approach to being a more sustainable business. We hope that enhancing the customer safety and championing innovation of all our events will make everybody just be more secure at the event. Regarding badges and registrations as we return to live events, we want to take the best of what we have learned about this year that's complementing digital solutions to better our in-person experiences.
Digital badges help create a seamless, efficient and modern experience, much like digital boarding passes and kiosk hotel entry that had been created for travelers. And it's contactless, which supports our continued efforts to prioritize health, hygiene and while also benefiting sustainability by eliminating paper and plastic waste. Having a digital badge means no more standing in line, those long lines on opening morning when you have to pick up your badge. And also we will have no more on-site registration. Everyone will be required to register online, to gain access to the event, but we will have digital badge assistance counters available for anyone that requires help.
And finally, the big other big thing is carpet. After an analysis from our sustainability team, it showed us that carpet is one of the most significant contributors to waste at our events. And the simple act of removing carpet would save hundreds of thousands of pounds of waste at each of one of our events. The focus on sustainability is not happening in a void. It is the latest in a series of moves that Informa has been taking to significantly improve our impacts on the world along with the impact to our environment.
Carpet is very difficult to clean and removing it will allow us to ensure a consistently clean surfaces throughout our events. How does this change our event? You will not see carpet in the expo hall aisles are on the show floor feature areas. Exhibitors will still have the option to take flooring into their booth, but it will no longer be required. I know that's a lot there to digest, but that's what's new and different from last year.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Wow, wow, I mean a lot. A lot of great things. Some of it obviously brought on by COVID and some of it just great on improvements that Informa continually makes through on the shows and with the IRE. So that is really exciting. Thank you, Ray. Let's talk a little bit because this roofing industry of ours, they all like each other. Let's talk a little bit about the social hours. How will they look compared to previous years?

Ray Giovine:
Yeah. And actually we're happy to be able to still have some sort of a social hour. So there will be plenty of opportunities to socialize and have some fun. First off, we're going to have our welcome party and this year's welcome party will be outside. It is going to be toasty. It's going to be August in Las Vegas, but it is going to take place poolside at the Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay.
Moving the event outside will allow people to take off their mask if they are still mandated and physically spread out in an open air space while they network and socialize. The party will kick off around 6:00 PM and features a fun atmosphere, live music, complimentary drinks and appetizers. I actually literally just got back from Vegas last week on a site visit. And this venue at Daylight is going to make for a great and fun party at the roofing event at the roofing show.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Yeah, I've been hearing some inside details too and it sounds like it's going to be amazing. How fun.

Ray Giovine:
And by the way too, we're also going to have the first-time reception, the first-time of reception. New for August, we've combined the first-time attendee reception with the welcome party. All first-time attendees are invited to join us. I think we're doing like 30, 45 minutes before the opening of the regular welcome party, which starts at Daylight Beach Club. And again, we want to thank RoofersCoffeeShop for sponsoring the first-time attendee reception again this year. And of course there's also the NRCA ROOFPAC reception and live auction. So there's still plenty of time to have fun and plenty of ways to network throughout the event, the three days of the show.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Well, we are so honored to be a sponsor for the first-timers event because we really work hard to get as many people there as possible because it's such a great networking, educational experience. And of course, safety and health is at the top of everyone's mind. I know Informa is at the very front of this. Could you share some of the precautions you're taking to ensure everyone's safety? Will masks be required? Will vaccines be required?

Ray Giovine:
Well, obviously those are the million dollar questions that everybody wants the answers to. So I'll try and give you the answers and with a caveat. This is what is happening as of today. So things are going to be modified over the next several months leading up to August. So perhaps there'll be updates, but again, you'll always be able to find that on our website. But to try to recap the IRE aims to deliver the highest levels of hygiene and safety at its events, providing everybody with reassurance and confidence that they are participating in a safe and controlled environment.
The event will be organized in accordance with Informa's AllSecure Program, which is a detailed set of health and safety standards developed collaboratively with industry associations, event organizers and venues. The IRE will feature like hand sanitation units, contact registration, enhanced cleaning, increased air circulation and more. In addition to AllSecure, we will follow all and this is key, all federal, state and local guidelines, including mass mandates if still in effect along with physical distancing requirements. Seating sessions, lounge areas, and tables will be arranged to ensure we adhere to current mandates.
Again, you'll always be able to read more about that information on our FAQ site on our website. But again, it's important to know that whatever happens, we'll be following those federal, state Nevada and local Las Vegas guidelines as they sort of progress through the summer. So I believe as of this week they're around 80% open and we're with masks inside. And so we suspect by late August most all restrictions are going to be lifted, including masks. But again, we don't know that for sure yet.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Right, right. Everyone out there knows how fast things change, right?

Ray Giovine:
Yeah.

Heidi Ellsworth:
So you just have to stay informed, go to the website, watch RoofersCoffeeShop. We're going to be keeping all of that up to date on how it's all going to work, but it really does look good. I mean, with everything that's coming down, it seems like we're going to just be able to have it a little bit more open in Las Vegas so that'd be great. Educational events are key to the contractors. So what are some of the seminars that you were on that you want to talk about or that are being planned?

Ray Giovine:
Well, yeah, as always the IRE Conference Program is some of the best education out there for the roofing industry. The IRE Conference Program features over 40 sessions covering a variety of topics. We have so many great sessions to choose from, but some of the most anticipated sessions are regulations, materials, vaccines, the NRCA presidents panel. We have a technical Q&A with a panel for the experts along with four tactics to attract and hire top talent into your contracting business. Again, that's a big topic because it's hard to hire good and qualified people these days.
One of the great things about the Conference Program is that it's dedicated hours that don't overlap with the exhibit hall time. So this allows our attendees to take part in both the education and our product sourcing. We also as always have a show floor education. Each year we offer education on the show floor. And this year we have two education centers, the Exhibitor Presented Seminar Education area, as well as the Windows and Sidings Education Theater. Attendees can participate in these 45-minute sessions or these 45-minute classes for free and seating is limited on a first come, first serve basis.
And then finally we have the NRCA and then the National Women in Roofing Education areas. In addition to the IRE educational offerings, NRCA is holding two of their most popular training sessions on Monday, August 9th. Attendees can sign up for the roofing fall protection for A to Z or their foreman leadership training level one class, and also the fourth annual National Women in Roofing Day will be held on Sunday, August 8th. Their program is focused on the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in the roofing industry.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Wow. I have to tell you, well, first of all, we will all be there for that National Women in Roofing Day because it's our favorite thing. We just love it. And Informa and IRE and NRCA is so supportive of that day. It's just so great. Also, I'm really excited because you mentioned the NRCA presidents panel that I'm going to be moderating and we're really excited to hear from all parts of the country on what's happening out there too. And these are leaders of our associations, so that's great stuff. And I know a lot of those speakers, so it's something people want to get registered for right away. It's going to be great. Brandy just does an amazing job with that.

Ray Giovine:
Yeah, she does.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Yeah, I love it. So okay. We did a podcast on this with Dan Tinker. We know there is this big show coming up, the SRS Show with Darius Rucker and Little Big Town. What will that look like seating and social distancing? I know as we've already talked about, we aren't sure, but just kind of what are some plans around that?

Ray Giovine:
Well, honestly, a couple of facts and figures. The SRS Distribution event will benefit or the benefit concert will take place on Wednesday, August 11th. It's starting at 5:00 PM at the House of Blues so right after the show ends. This year's concert will benefit the Raise the Roof foundation as well as the National Women in Roofing and the Roofing Alliance. Again, as for details on what seating and all that stuff is going to look like, it's going to depend on, again, the federal, state and local guidelines that are going to be in place in August.
Again, we feel quite confident that most all restrictions are going to go away, but for more details about the event ticket details reach out to SRS Distribution directly and/or stay tuned on the IRE website to have those local mandates updated. I know that's a little vague, but as you know, things are just constantly changing. And like I said, we'll be updating your audience as things progress.

Heidi Ellsworth:
And that is a fundraiser, which is so exciting that so much of the proceeds are going to the Roofing Alliance for diversity scholarships and to National Women in Roofing. So anybody out there if you're interested in attending and who wouldn't be to see Darius Rucker and Little Big Town, be sure to buy your tickets early. So there'll be more information about that as they open. So keep an eye out, keep an ear out, talk to your SRS reps. It's going to be some great stuff.
So Ray, a little bit different question, but what are you and your team most excited for with IRE and what should the public be looking forward to the most from your perspective?

Ray Giovine:
Well, it's been a long time. It's been a year and a half since the industry has gotten together. We've moved the show twice and we thank the audience, both the exhibitors and the attendees for their patience with us as we sort of work through all this. We know that meeting in-person is a vital aspect of the business and we just look forward to bringing the industry together again in a safe environment. And we're looking forward to seeing everybody.
We're excited about our expansion into the windows and siding segment. We know from the industry reports and the show demographics that this is sort of a significant part of the business that overlaps with roofing, roofing windows and siding firms. So we're happy to kind of bring everybody together in a new pavilion along with education sessions.
Another thing we're super excited about and this might be new information to you too is that we're going to be expanding the IRE brand to China in 2022. Look for more info about IRE Asia in a future podcast or on the IRE website. But again, most importantly, we're just looking forward to just the gathering in-person face-to-face meetings that we're all going to be able to do this summer in Las Vegas and having some fun, and looking at some new products and services and learning some new stuff too.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Well, I love that. Great news about China, how exciting. That's going to be really fun to watch for. I have to tell you one of the things I'm most excited about is exactly what you hit is seeing everybody, and really getting together and networking. And one of the things that RoofersCoffeeShop is bringing to IRE is our live Coffee Conversations, which you've been on and your group has participated in. So we're really loving working with your team, all of the folks at IRE to bring live Coffee Conversations right inside the front door's entrance to the whole industry.
So for all of you who are listening out there who maybe won't be able to make the IRE in August, just know that we're going to be bringing all kinds of information because this is just something you don't want to miss. So if you can get signed up and be in Vegas it will be well worth the time to get there. So let's talk about that, Ray. What should contractors be doing right now to get ready to attend?

Ray Giovine:
Good question. Thanks, Heidi. Well, first off, registration is open right now for the show. So we encourage everyone to go online and register early to take advantage of the early pricing and discounts. Early bird pricing is available now through June 15th. So we've got about six weeks to take advantage of that. Also, make sure to book your hotels stay through the official IRE housing block, which is through our housing partner onPeak, where we've secured some of the best rates and some of the best hotels in Las Vegas, a variety of price points. So again, go online and check that out through the block.
And then also don't forget to check out our IRE Digital Show Guide Planner. There you'll have all the latest information. It's an interactive digital brochure that features show details schedules, and it has all the information to help you plan your trip to IRE and to Las Vegas. And that's probably it and just get excited to come to Vegas and bring a pair of shorts because it's going to be hot.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Yeah, it's going to be hot, but there's going to be a lot of pools and pool parties. And of course, we know air conditioning. You'll probably be cold, bring a sweater to go with those shorts inside.

Ray Giovine:
It's probably correct one you're in inside. Yes.

Heidi Ellsworth:
Well, Ray, thank you. Thank you for all of the work from you and your team, everything you do for the roofing industry to really bring this amazing event to us. And especially in this last year. You're bringing together something that we all need and I'm really excited to be all to gather there in August. Thank you so much for being here today.

Ray Giovine:
Heidi, thanks for having me on.

Heidi Ellsworth:
And I want to make sure that everybody please go on to RoofersCoffeeShop and you can find under IRE in our directory all of this information. You can find the links to get to the IRE page and also past webinars and podcasts that share all this great information on what's happening. So please enter Read Listen Watch on rooferscoffeeshop.com. Listen to all of our podcasts and be sure to subscribe. Have a great day, everybody and thank you for being on this Roofing Road Trips from RoofersCoffeeShop.

Announcer:
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