What to expect at the WRE 2024!

By Hannah Ford. 

Join the Western States Roofing Contractors Association's 50th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas! 

Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) at the Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! This year's expo will be in Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 29 to October 1, 2024. Enjoy all that the Paris Las Vegas Hotel has to offer with a croissant in hand, garner roofing insights from industry leaders and enjoy a view of Vegas’ very own mini Eiffel Tower. Test the newest roofing technologies and learn about the latest discoveries in roofing innovation all while admiring some of the most unique roofs in Las Vegas.  

Begin the start of your expo journey on Sunday, September 29 with the Bob Porter Golf Tournament at 7:30 a.m. or the Sporting Clays Tournament at 9:00 a.m. On Monday, enjoy the scheduled live demos starting at 1:30 p.m. going until 5:00 p.m. Spend the day learning from several roofing representatives about a number of topics including insurance, roofing materials and training. Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and seminars will begin promptly on Monday at 8:45 a.m. Close out your time at the expo with a few roofing game shows on Tuesday afternoon to test your industry knowledge and the Roofing Games Shingling Competition, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products, to test your steep-slope shingle installation skills! 

Most anticipated educational sessions 

Monday – September 30, 2024 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: “The History of Roofing 2024” by Trent Cotney & John Kenney 

• Hosted by WSRCA Legal Counsel and Adams and Reese LLP, Trent Cotney and John Kenney will delve into the history of roofing from conception to present times. It is a fascinating look into every aspect of roofing with several photos and artifacts.  

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: “Attic Ventilation Best Practices, Tips and Solutions from Across North America” by Paul Scelsi 

• Hear from the marketing communications manager of Air Vent/Gibraltar Building Products as he shares tips and tricks for stellar attic ventilation. Learn the answers to 5 key questions that ensure the best vent selection.  

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: “When Codes are in Conflict: Building Science and Life Safety in Wood Framed Construction” by Erin Andes 

• Erin Andes, a Building Design Manager for GAF, will guide you through the best procedures when there are potential code violations. Erin shows the viable ways to limit condensation risk while complying with code.  

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: “Protecting Your Bottom Line: Insurance Strategies for Effective Risk Transfer in Contracts” by Seth Pietsch 

• Seth Pietsch is the Owner, President and Senior Sales Executive of Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc. Learn directly from his hands on experience on the best strategic insurance methods and participate in an interactive session on safeguarding roofing contracts. 

Tuesday – October 1, 2024 

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.: “National Women in Roofing – Table Talks with NWIR” by NWIR 

• Spend the morning with NWIR in a roundtable discussion on being a female worker in a male dominated industry. The cost is only $25, breakfast will be included and it is still open for registration.  

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: “Robotics, Technology and AI in Roofing – Panel Discussion” by Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) 

• Listen to a technology-focused panel from the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) as they share the latest advancements to benefit roofers. They discuss fascinating subjects like robots on the roof, harnessing the power of data visualization and predictive modeling. 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.:“Navigating the Path to Excellence in Roofing Field Operations” by John Kenney 

• One of the Coffee Shops' own RCS Influencers, John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group will explore the key principles of a successful roofing business. Take the opportunity to learn about various strategies and tools to improve.  

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: “Tips and Tricks to Dominate the Insurance Process” by Amparo Sancen 

• Learn about claim closures, Xactimate and supplements. Find out more about the insurance process, including how to conduct an inspection and capture appropriate photos. 

For more information visit the Western Roofing Expo schedule and find out what informational sessions interest you. At Western, the learning isn’t limited to these sessions, there are plenty of opportunities to network and learn from other industry professionals on the expo floor! Make sure you map out your plan for which booths you want to visit. Whether you’re interested in learning more about snow guards from TRA Snow & Sun (#744), PVC membranes from IB Roof Systems (#351) or job site protection from The Catch-All (#631), there’s something for everyone on the expo floor. And make sure RoofersCoffeeShop and The Coffee Shops crew at booth #864 are your first stop! 

We hope to see you at the Western Roofing Expo. Remember, what happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas, but what you learn at the WRE 2024 will be worth sharing!