State trade shows: They’re all about your community

By Dani Sheehan. 

Don’t miss your state or regional trade show this year! As a community hub, you can meet new people, set the tone for the year and prepare for your upcoming roofing season. 

Trade show season is here! Hopefully you are still feeling the buzz and excitement as the International Roofing Expo (IRE) ends, and you head back to your everyday routine. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Justin Shirley, vice president of operations at State Roofing and RCAW president, to discuss the importance of state trade shows. Listen in as Justin shares why these events are so valuable and what role they play in his roofing company. He even shares a sneak peek into the 2024 Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) trade show! 

Justin is in his third year as president of RCAW and he is so grateful to be part of the association. He’s been in the roofing industry for 30 years and says he never gets tired of attending trade shows. Particularly, he shares, “I love state trade shows because it is about your community where you’re from. Local vendors, local business owners talking about what’s relative in your area – for us, the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Idaho. You get to learn what’s going on, what’s involved, products in the area and people in the area that represent you, your business and promote growth.” 

One key benefit he can’t emphasize enough is the opportunity to meet new people and network at trade shows. He explains, “I have met people that have helped me grow personally and that have helped every business that I’ve been a part of grow substantially. They are dedicated, and they are fixed on the location that I am in helping me promote growth. You can’t get that anywhere else on that kind of level.” 

Meeting local representatives and getting to work with smaller businesses can better promote your own company and give you distinction in your area that you don’t always get at the bigger shows. The RCAW trade show is March 1, 2024, this year, and Justin says that it is a pinnacle point in their association to kick off the new year and set the tone. Don’t miss your chance to attend! There’s still time to register, get involved and learn from local industry professionals. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to hear insights into this year’s trade show and even more reasons to attend your own state’s trade show.