Roofing Road Trip Podcast: Ray Giovanni and the IRE

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Hear about the exciting events taking place at the International Roofing Expo and how to maximize your time at the show.

Ray Giovanni is joining the roofing industry as the new show director for the International Roofing Expo® (IRE).  In his podcast, he speaks with Heidi Ellsworth, RoofersCoffeeShop® partner, about his background, the special events at the IRE, and what to expect from the show.

Previously the senior vice president of sales for Hanley Wood, Ray currently works at Informa.  Hanley Wood is a premier media event, data, and strategic marketing service company for residential and commercial construction industries.  He worked closely with Builder and Architect magazine. He comments that he’s, “...somewhat familiar with the roofing industry and the manufacturers that attend our exhibits, but I still have lots to learn, and intend to learn quickly.”

The IRE is rapidly approaching.  Sponsored by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the expo is taking place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas from February 4-6, 2020.  According to Ray, “IRE is the number one event for roofing contractors and the leading event in the nation for the roofing industry.  This is the place where contractors can annually find all major manufacturers, service providers, relevant education and numerous network opportunities throughout the entire week.”

Ray shares what contractors should expect from the show and why they should attend.  Education is one of their top priorities, which is why the IRE is, “...brimming with ideas that contractor’s really use to improve their business, along with finding new products and services,” Ray shares.

For those interested in spending a couple of extra days in Dallas, they can attend the National Women in Roofing Day and the 11th annual community service day.  NWIR Day is a one-day program that, “...focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in the roofing industry,” Ray shares.  The Community Service Day is what sets the IRE apart from other events at Informa. Sponsored by Sika Sarnafil, in conjunction with Rebuilding Together North Texas, volunteers will repair and renovate homes for low-income homeowners.

With each year, the show keeps getting better.  Other top events include a reception and comedy show sponsored by NWIR and NRCA ROOFPAC.  Proceeds from the “Evening in the Lone Star State” will go to the ROOFPAC, the political action committee, which is the voice of the roofing industry in Washington D.C.  NRCA will also have a silent auction at their booth, where attendees can bid on prizes, vacation packages, jewelry, electronics, and more. The student competition will take place from 7:45 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.  Young college construction management students bid, do proposals, estimate, and sell a roof to a group of judges. And finally, the NRCA industry awards ceremony and reception will take place after the show closes on the second day.

There’s a lot to see, learn, and partake in at the IRE!  The best way to plan for the show and get the most out of it is by planning ahead and using the Show Planner app.  Ray recommends looking through the show schedule, exhibitor list, and educational offerings, and plan out each day.  “It’s only three days, and those three days will go quickly,” Ray explains.  The app has all of the latest information, and you can make your own lists using the app, so everything is in one convenient location.

Interested in attending?  It’s not too late to register!  Ray encourages people to register online or in-person when they get to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.  And come a day early to volunteer during the Community Service Day.

While the 2020 IRE is just around the corner, Ray is already planning for the next three years!  Listen to the podcast to hear more about the IRE and where future IRE shows will be held.  Check out the RoofersCoffeeShop® podcast page for even more.