The annual International Roofing Expo (IRE) is set to take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, Feb. 6-8, 2024.
IRE is the largest event for roofing and exteriors in North America. The annual event offers networking and educational opportunities for all those involved in the industry. You can find out about the latest products and innovations, materials and suppliers, and developing technologies. It’s also a great way to connect with others in the roofing industry.
New Tech Machinery (NTM) will exhibit at the trade show to highlight our popular portable rollforming machines, new machine features and profiles, and more. Visit us at booth #4625.
This article offers an overview of what’s featured at IRE.
In this article, we’ll explore the following:
- What is the International Roofing Expo?
- Keynote speakers, educational sessions, and special events
- Tips to help you get the most out of IRE
About the International Roofing Expo (IRE)
For over 65 years, IRE has brought together contractors, builders, manufacturers, and suppliers to discover the latest in roofing, and to learn new skills to improve their operations and businesses. It’s an opportunity to hear keynote speakers discuss the future of the industry, attend floor demos and educational classes, and learn how to improve and grow your business.
IRE Keynote Speakers
AI: Humanity’s New Dawn (Feb. 6)
Zack Kass, Former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI, shares the evolution of AI, and how it can empower any business.
Revolution or Evolution? (Feb. 7)
Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing at Houzz, shares the 5 Mega Consumer Trends and her latest research on macro-trends, providing insight into the home improvement market.
Education Sessions
IRE features 45+ education sessions. A few highlights are listed below. For a full listing, click here.
Turning Workforce Development into Dollars: Recruit, Train, Retain
February 6, 7:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Description: “It’s almost exhausting to write that the industry is wrestling with workforce development. It’s been the preeminent struggle for some time now, and all the industry’s companies and organizations are doing their level best to solve the problem. NRCA is working to understand and appreciate these efforts and help to bring them to light, and serving its role as the industry’s non-proprietary nationwide resource. In and amongst all the good things going on around it, NRCA offers a scaffold on which to hang various initiatives. Join us to talk about industry efforts to identify, energize and recruit; onboard; train; and certify roofing employees into an increasingly professionalized career.”
Deep Dive: State of the Industry 2024
February 6, 7:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Description: “The North American roofing industry continues to thrive amid challenging economic conditions and an uncertain outlook when it comes to material availability and workforce. Roofing Contractor’ again surveyed roofers and industry stakeholders for insights into the issues, products and innovations driving the marketplace.”
NRCA 2024 Safety Leadership Workshop
February 6, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Description: “Join NRCA for this one-day workshop to enhance safety leadership skills through advanced topics and engaging speakers, aimed at attendees who have a leadership role in safety in the roofing industry including owners, project managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and human resources. Come and learn from roofing industry experts on a variety of safety and health topics including risk management, safety culture, insurance, legal, and regulatory.”
Prefinished Metal Shingle Installation
February 6, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Description: “Metal roofing continues to grow in popularity and in market share across building sectors. Understanding the factors influencing the choice of materials, forming of panels and proper installation techniques, improves contractor efficiency and building owner satisfaction. In this series of clinics, presenters from the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, discuss choosing the right material for the job, present industry best practices for the installation of metal shingles and standing seam panels and demonstrate proper techniques for on-site rollforming.”
Standing Seam Installation
February 6, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Description: “Metal roofing continues to grow in popularity and in market share across building sectors. Understanding the factors influencing the choice of materials, forming of panels and proper installation techniques, improves contractor efficiency and building owner satisfaction. In this series of clinics, presenters from the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, discuss choosing the right material for the job, present industry best practices for the installation of metal shingles and standing seam panels and demonstrate proper techniques for on-site rollforming.”
How to Grow your Business with Metal Roofing: Make More Money with Metal Roofing
February 6, 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Description: “Metal roofing is creating more opportunities than ever for contractors to expand their product offering, elevate their profitability and take advantage of what is happening in the market today. With this training, we will showcase the advantages of metal roofing and how to overcome obstacles to adding metal roofing to grow their business.”
Understanding Metal Roofing: Part I
February 7, 7:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Description: “Often billed as “Metal Roofing 101,” this course includes technical information but is presented in a commonsense fashion that makes the art and science of metal roofing clear, concise and understandable. Topics to be covered include the history of metal roofing, metals and metallic coatings, metallurgy, galvanic gathering and material selection criteria. Also discussed will be fabrication and manufacturing techniques, various seam types and panel profiles in addition to underlayment’s, the use and misuse of sealants, seam technologies and the principles of thermal cycling and panel anchorage. A great metal introduction for beginning and experienced building professionals. About 70% of the course is devoted to principals of design, fabrication, thermal response, and other topics that are applicable to any metal roof in any application; the other 30% is divided equally between steep and low slope material.”
Rollforming
February 7, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Description: “Metal roofing continues to grow in popularity and in market share across building sectors. Understanding the factors influencing the choice of materials, forming of panels and proper installation techniques, improves contractor efficiency and building owner satisfaction. In this series of clinics, presenters from the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, discuss choosing the right material for the job, present industry best practices for the installation of metal shingles and standing seam panels and demonstrate proper techniques for on-site rollforming.”
Special Events
Here’s a list of some special events hosted at IRE. Some may charge a fee.
National Women in Roofing Days 2024 (Feb. 4-5)
Description: “National Women in Roofing (NWIR) is hosting a two-day conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 4-5 in advance of IRE. You will connect, discover, and cultivate new relationships with roofing professionals by attending.
The seventh annual NWiR Day is the premier conference for multidisciplinary women professionals in the roofing industry to learn about the latest business strategies and tactics and share their secrets to success. Connect with professional, like-minded, good-spirited women from all facets of the roofing industry and experience insight, inspiration, and fun.“
Welcome Party
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 6pm
Description: “Named one of the Las Vegas Strip’s “Best Rooftop Bars” by Thrillist and more, BEER PARK offers more than 100 draft and bottle beers, handcrafted cocktails and reimagined stadium favorites. A 9,000-square-foot outdoor deck, host to ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and other national broadcasts, showcases views of The Strip and Bellagio Fountains. Get the IRE Party started as we celebrate the opening day of the 2024 International Roofing Expo. Connect with your fellow attendees during an evening of conversation, networking fun. The IRE Welcome Party will kick off at 6:00 pm and feature drinks and appetizers.“
IRE Mobile App
IRE has a mobile app! Just search “Roofing Expo” in your app store.
International Roofing Expo 2024 Exhibitors
During the International Roofing Expo, hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers of roofing and exterior construction products and services will demo and showcase the latest innovations.
THE PRODUCT CATEGORIES
- Business Software and Technology Products
- Coatings, Caulks and Sealants
- Gutters and Roof Drains
- Roofing Products (Including: Single Ply, Metal Panels, Shingles, Synthetic Roofing & Flashing)
- Safety & Fall Protection
- Siding & Insulation
- Solar Panels & Products
- Tools, Equipment and Machinery
- Water Proofing, Flashing, Vapor Barriers, Underlayments and Insulation
- Windows & Doors and Skylight & Roof Windows
Innovations in Portable Rollforming with New Tech Machinery, Booth #4625
New Tech Machinery has been an exhibitor at this event for over 20 years. Come visit us and meet our staff and service people, see our newest products and enhancements, watch a machine demo, and find out what to expect in 2024!
“”The International Roofing Expo is the nation’s largest trade show that focuses on all aspects of roofing, and it’s a great place to learn and explore the latest trends and happenings within the industry. It’s the most heavily-attended show we do each year and provides us the opportunity to showcase our equipment and meet new and existing clients.”,” says Tom Laird, Senior Account Manager for New Tech Machinery.
Takeaways: Getting the Most Out of IRE
If you’re in the roofing industry, there are many opportunities for you to expand your network, education, and business just by attending the International Roofing Expo.
To get the most out of your IRE experience, here are some tips:
- Identify what you want to take away from the IRE. It’s a lot of information, so narrowing it down to what will most benefit your operation will help you get the most out of the sessions.
- Remember to bring a pen and business cards to pass out to suppliers and attendees. Also, take brochures, catalogs, and other resources from the show floor to research or contact people and products you’re interested in later.
- Visit exhibitor booths to see products in action and ask questions. Look for the floor demos.
- Use the opportunity to network with other industry professionals and suppliers to build relationships with others in your field. If you have other members of your team in attendance, you can divide and conquer.
- Take notes and match them to the take-aways you identified. Are you getting the information you need? If not, are there sessions you can attend or people you can network with to help you reach that goal?
At New Tech Machinery, we strive to help educate and inform our customers on how portable rollforming can help increase efficiency and versatility in their business. One of the best ways to find out if portable rollforming is for you is to check out roofing conventions like IRE, see the products in person, and talk to the manufacturers themselves.
If you’re considering adding a portable rollforming machine to your business, stop by New Tech Machinery’s booth #4107 during the show to talk to one of our rollforming experts! Or reach out to us on our website, email, or phone!
