The International Roofing Expo returns to Las Vegas Feb. 6-8, 2024, and Roofing Contractor offers readers a sneak peek into what’s in store for attendees returning to the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

IRE Doubles Down on Keynotes

Attendees of the 2024 International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas can look forward to not one – but two – keynote presentations.

The three-day event will kick off with an eye-opening presentation on the impact of artificial intelligence on business, consumerism and humanity overall by Zack Kass at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Kass is an innovator in the tech world who served as the head of GTM (Go-To-Market) Lead at OpenAI.

His journey with AI began roughly 15 years ago and he’s known for being among the first to apply state-of-the-art research into real-world business applications, including some in use by companies in roofing. His talk, titled, “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Humanity’s New Dawn,” will help to demystify AI for roofing contractors, make it accessible and understandable, and help company leaders navigate the rapidly evolving environment.

The thought-provoking experience continues the following day at 10:30 a.m. when Liza Hausman, Houzz’s vice president of industry marketing, discusses the latest research on consumer behavior in the home improvement space. Houzz, a leading industry platform for home remodeling and design, has more than 65 million users, including 3 million industry professionals.

Whether curious about post-COVID attitudes toward spending, customer expectations, or just the overall health of the roofing and remodeling space, Hausman will share her perspectives on the latest macro-trends experienced by contractors nationwide in a session titled, “Revolution or Evolution? The 5 Mega Consumer Trends Driving Home Improvement.”

She’ll also delve into what homeowners want and expect from contractors and help provide a better understanding of how to identify with homeowner clients and prospects.

SRS Foundation Concert: Sweet Home Sounds

The sweet sounds of Southern rock-and-roll will greet the roofing industry at this year’s International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas.

Legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation’s annual fundraiser on Feb. 7 at the House of Blues. The event will feature performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, which has sold more than 28 million records in the United States alone; Dierks Bentley; and special guest Tenille Townes. The headliners are no stranger to the roofing industry, having played at the SRS Foundation Concert at IRE 2018 in New Orleans.

The band has entertained millions of fans around the world during its stellar run that began in 1964 and peaked with the ‘70s hits “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” The group nearly folded following a tragic plane crash that claimed three band members and three others in 1977. However, multiple members of the original band are still performing and involved in the music industry. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and all food and drinks are included. Proceeds from the event will help veterans of the U.S. military, first responders, disaster victims, and families in crisis around the country.

The nonprofit SRS Raise the Roof Foundation was formed in 2012 as a way for roofing supplier SRS Distribution to give back to its communities, often championing causes like support for military veterans and disaster relief. For more information, visit srsraisetherooffoundation.org.

Serving the Community

A key pillar of any IRE is for the roofing community to give back to the host city via volunteer efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for residents for years to come. The 15th Annual Community Service Day takes place Feb. 5, where dozens of roofing industry professionals will perform repairs and hands-on restoration to homes in designated neighborhoods around Las Vegas.

Partnering again with Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit geared toward helping homeowners in need, IRE organizers identified neighborhoods in the host city that needed help, and sought to help specific residents that otherwise would not be able to afford critical home improvements.

“We are doing our Community Service Day again for the 15th year, and it’s always, always such a great event and way to highlight the industry giving back,” said Brandi McElhaney, senior conference manager with Informa Markets, organizer of the annual event.

The full-day of volunteering typically includes making significant home repairs for displaced residents, assisting with roof replacements, exterior maintenance and various renovations. Attendees may participate in the Give Back Program to celebrate and positively impact the local municipality. If not able to volunteer in person, attendees can donate to Rebuilding Together during the registration process.

The primary sponsor of the event is Sika Sarnafil. Additional sponsors include GAF, who donate roofing materials for roof replacements, Roofing Contractor Magazine, Damato Enterprises, CentiMark and ICP Building Solutions, with more sponsors to be announced.

Online Registration is Open

You don’t have to wait until you arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center to start your IRE 2024 experience. Start the fun now by registering online at theroofingexpo.com.

The largest roofing show in North America draws industry veterans and rookies alike to learn about the products, trends and people influencing roofing markets today. Contractors will find the education and insight they need and the networking opportunities that can help build their business. Early-bird pricing ends Jan. 8.

Online registration for the IRE 2024 is now open at theroofingexpo.com.