Recap of the 2019 Western Roofing Expo

By WSRCA.

If you didn’t make it to WSRCA’s Western Roofing Expo this year, you missed out on a lot.

Thousands of people from the roofing industry’s most innovative companies descended on Las Vegas Sunday June 9th as the Western Roofing Expo: the premier regional roofing event of the year, kicked off.  Over the next few days — manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, engineers, consultants, and roofing contractors from throughout the West, were on hand shaping what turned out to be a record-breaking turnout at the Paris Las Vegas.

According to final registration statistics — 4,269 convention-goers converged for the 2019 show, shattering the all-time high attendance figure from the Western Roofing Expo’s 45-year history.

Action-filled events including the annual golf and sporting clays tournaments, welcome party and lively-silent auction, exhibit floor, live product demonstrations every hour on the exhibit floor, and a live shingling competition closing the Expo, called The Roofing Games™. There was a great overall sense of industry camaraderie this year, and many of the people we talked to called it the best Western Roofing Expo they’ve ever attended!

Davis Memorial Foundation

Founded in 1997 in memory of Larry and Mary Davis, the Foundation's mission is to support higher education, particularly as it relates to the development of a well-educated construction industry.  Scholarship awards are granted every year to high school, undergraduate and graduate students throughout the country. To raise money and awareness for these scholarships, events like the Welcome Party & Lively-Silent Auction, and annual Golf & Sporting Clays Tournaments have been established by the Foundation.

2019 Scholarship Winners

The requirements for these scholarships aren’t easy.  Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors, official transcripts from High Schools or Universities, and a Q&A written application to be considered eligible. For the 2018-2019 academic year, the Davis Memorial Foundation awarded (10) $5,000 scholarships to the following outstanding students for a grand total of $50,000!

• Tyler Kleinsasser (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology)
• Megan Ellsworth (University of Colorado at Denver)
• Sharon McClean (Portland Community College)
• Allisandra Kuni (Scappoose High School)
• Riley Warren (Santa Rosa Junior College)
• Salvador Garcia (University of California Berkeley)
• Stephanie Altpeter (Bellevue University)
• Riley Hansen (Sunset High School)
• Jaeden Barker (Menlo Atherton High School)
• Ruby Hayes (Vintage High School)

Congratulations to all for your hard work and commitment to higher education – the Davis Memorial Foundation wishes you all the best of luck in your bright futures!

Golf & Sporting Clays Tournaments

The annual Golf Tournament was held bright and early at in southern Las Vegas at the Revere Golf Club. 124 participants came out to play the challenging Lexington Course at the club. Across the valley, the annual Sporting Clays Tournament was also held concurrently at the Pro Gun Club in Boulder City. The course was maxed out with 72 participants, who also had a great time on the challenging desert terrain and windy conditions. A very special thank you to our Exclusive Tournament Sponsor: Beacon, our Title Sponsors: Western States Roofing Contractors Association, Western Roofing Magazine, Roofing Contractor Magazine, and RoofersCoffeeShop.com — and all of the prize donators and tournament participants who help make the Davis Memorial Foundation’s tournaments a yearly success.

Welcome Party & Lively-Silent Auction

Later that evening hundreds gathered back at the Paris Hotel & Casino, as Davis Memorial Foundation Chairman Chuck Chapman and fellow Trustee Bill Baley emceed the Star Wars themed welcome party and lively-silent auction, sponsored by GAF.  Fantastic donated items such as hunting trips, vacations, electronic merchandise, jewelry, and of course, roofing-related products were all on display for attendees to bid on.  The night was a huge success, and this amazing support could not have been achieved without the generous support from members like you! A special thanks to Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees Heidi Ellsworth, Greg Bloom, Dennis Ryan and Tom Papas for making the Lively-Silent Auction such a fun event. On behalf of the entire Davis Memorial Foundation, its Trustees and Staff – and most importantly the scholarship recipients – thank you for your continued support!

Seminars & Exhibit Hall

Every year, the WSRCA puts on a diverse educational program designed to keep roofing contractors ‘in-the-know’ on vital roofing topics affecting the industry. On both Monday and Tuesday, the seminar portion of the Western Roofing Expo was held prior to the opening of the floor. As you can see, all seminars were very well attended this year.

For the opening of the trade show floor on Monday, current 2019 WSRCA President Tom Asbury, along with incoming 2020 WSRCA President Leo Ibarra, were on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon. The trade show remained a bustling center of activity until the final closing hours. The maxed-out exhibit hall floor featured over 200 local, regional, and national companies displaying their latest roofing products and services, many available only in the Western market. The vast majority of the exhibitors were extremely pleased with the outstanding attendee turnout…and as you can see, the exhibit hall was absolutely packed!

Annual Luncheon with Entertainer – Dave Coulier

Winding down the convention on Tuesday June 11th, multi-talented entertainer Dave Coulier made a guest appearance at the Annual Luncheon, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. He showcased his hilarious stand-up comedy routine that had the audience in stitches. He was quite the entertainer, and it made for a fun, relaxed atmosphere heading into the final portion of the Expo.

WSRCA Board Member of the Year & Outstanding Service Award

Immediately following the luncheon entertainment, WSRCA presented its annual awards. Board Member of the Year went to Kris Hitesman – Capitol Roofing Service, Sandy Utah in recognition of her tireless work last year improving the Association. A huge congratulations to Kris, and thank you for all that you do for Western States!

Immediately following the Board Member of the Year presentation, WSRCA announced its Outstanding Service Award.  This prestigious award is only given out every few years, in recognition of outstanding service to the roofing industry and Association.  For her years of tireless contributions Rachel Garcia, of Malarkey Roofing Products was recognized as the 2019 awardee.  Thank you to Rachel fo her incredible work ethic and dedication to the industry!

Wrangler of the Year

For his outstanding efforts in recruiting potential WSRCA members to join the WSRCA, Hans Matheus of Eagle Roofing Products won the 2019 ‘Wrangler of the Year’ award. A custom-made belt buckle commemorated his second win, in as many years. Thank you for your commitment to growing our Association, Hans!

The Roofing Games™ 2019

As the trade show floor began its final events of the year that Tuesday, WSRCA and Malarkey Roofing Products once again hosted the shingling competition known as The Roofing Games™. Participants competed against one another in a timed installation of a Malarkey Roofing Products® roofing system on a small wooden deck — and were judged on accuracy, aesthetics, workmanship, and of course - speed.  Nate Holland of Holland Roofing in Anchorage AK was the 2019 winner with a time of 1:49. Second place was awarded to John Miles, Wicks Roofing in San Luis Obispo CA with a time of 1:59, and 3rd place winner Mike O’Shaughnessy of Alves Roofing & Construction in Arcata, CA finished with a time of 2:08.  To all the participants, fans in the crowd, and especially our Roofing Games™ sponsor Malarkey Roofing Products - thank you for making this such a fun event!

See You June 7-9, 2020

From everyone here at WSRCA the Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees and Staff – we would like to thank you for your continued support and for making the Western Roofing Expo THE premier roofing event in the West. Next year, the Western Roofing Expo will once again be hosted at the Paris Las Vegas from June 7-9, 2020. Mark your calendars now, and we’ll see you next summer!

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