By Brent Banach
This year’s International Roofing Exposition (IRE) will be held from Wednesday, March 1 through Friday, March 3 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The IRE will once again bring together the roofing construction and maintenance industry in 2017 for three days to provide a unique opportunity for all attendees to stay abreast of the latest and greatest developments and advancements in the roofing industry.
Founded in 1955 and currently owned by Hanley Wood Exhibitions (acquired by Exhibitions U.S. in 2014), the International Roofing Expo is currently named as one of the top 25 fastest growing trade shows in the nation. The show has historically provided an extensive opportunity for product review, networking, and face-to-face interaction for professionals in the trade, as well as unique opportunities for continuing education for all attendees.
Over the last twenty years, the number of attendees has fluctuated between six thousand and ten thousand people. Those numbers compose a compilation of manufacturers, distributors, and representatives displaying their products, services, and latest innovations in roofing.
“The biggest benefit of attending the conference is the fact that most of our customers (distributers, manufacturers, and roofers) are all in one place for a few days, which allows us to conduct a lot of business in a short amount of time,” said Tom Lecorchick Jr., roofing sales manager at Bitumar.
There are typically over 1,000 booths of both manufacturers and suppliers set up on the show floor, and last year’s IRE in Orlando saw over 100 first-time exhibitors.
While exploring from booth to booth, you can expect to find a variety of current products, services, and technologies that directly benefit the roofing industry. There are also knowledgeable sales representatives who are ready and available to provide answers and information about the latest roofing advancements.
“I have noticed the largest increase in technology booth displays as well as new product innovation. It’s pretty typical to spend a full day just walking the massive floor plan of the conference,” said Kevin Morgan, sales manager at Owens Corning.
The IRE is expecting to set an attendance record in 2017. Not only does the Las Vegas location typically draw a larger crowd, the roofing expo continues to grow each year, and should see over 100 first-time exhibitors again this year. With such a wide range of exhibitors and participants at the IRE, attendees will be able to further their knowledge in the roofing market, understand new trends and technology in the roofing industry and continue to develop their own personal business.
Banach is an asphalt sales representative for Calumet Speciality Products, L.P.