The roofing industry was booming in 2017. The economy strengthened with historically-low unemployment, modest interest rates and improving consumer confidence in many sectors, including roofing. Timely storms like hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria had a major impact on the roofing industry, but even before then, there was a lot of industrywide momentum that started at the 2017 International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Las Vegas.

At the time, the more than 11,200 attendees at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center set a show record — soon eclipsed by Nashville in 2019 (14,325), then shattered by Dallas in 2020 (17,060).

There may be several factors why Las Vegas won’t draw a record crowd as the show returns Aug. 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay. But those roofing pros that will be there — perhaps for the first time since that IRE — are likely to notice something new.

For one thing, change is always afoot in a city like Las Vegas.

Not long after they tore up the carpet on the show floor and shipped off the last bundle of display shingles in February 2017 did Sin City welcome its first pro sports team, the Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. They play in T-Mobile Arena, which quickly hosted a Stanley Cup Finals that year with the team’s unprecedented success.

That opened the path for another vaunted sports franchise’s arrival in Las Vegas — The Raiders in 2020. The perennial "bad boys" of the National Football League play in the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium, located on a 62-acre parcel west of the Mandalay Bay. Its 325,000 square-foot domed, PVC roof and glowing logo were installed by Eberhard Southwest Roofing, and earned Sika Sarnafil’s 2020 Project of the Year Award for low slope construction.

In With the New…

Attendees will also notice a lot of attention focused on the Resorts World Las Vegas, which opened June 24 on the former site of the historic Stardust. The 59-story marvel boasts 3,500 rooms and is digitally integrated, offering the first cashless-gaming experience on the Strip.

The Asian-themed resort is billed as an international destination and is the first ground-up resort construction along the heart of Vegas in more than a decade. At $4.3 billion, it’s also the most expensive resort property in the city’s history. For now.

If you prefer time away from the action on the Strip, you’ll probably notice the Circa Resort & Casino downtown. The 44-story hotel, which opened in 2020 on Fremont Street, has more than 700 rooms and was notable during construction for being the first all-new build downtown in more than 40 years.

New Names, Familiar Spaces

Since 2017, some notable Sin City landmarks — sure to have hosted a roofer or two over the years — are now under new bright lights.

First, the space formerly known as the Hard Rock near the Strip is now the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. Opened in 1995 as the world's first rock 'n' roll-themed hotel, the 1,500-plus room sold for $500 million in 2018. It closed while undergoing a $200 million renovation to correspond with the rebrand, and finally opened in March after several COVID-19-related delays.

Perhaps Las Vegas’ most noticeable landmark — and that’s saying a lot — was also part of a recent major million-dollar renovation. The Strat is the new name for the resort that opened in 1996 as the Stratosphere. They couldn’t change much about the signature tower, which at 1,149 feet is still the nation’s largest freestanding observation tower. However, the adjacent resort underneath underwent a substantial $140 million overhaul.

Photos from the World of Concrete expo hint at what attendees to the 2021 IRE can expect.

IRE Test Run at World of Concrete

Las Vegas officially fully reopened June 1, and among the first tests of large industry conventions was World of Concrete, held June 8-10.

“We are so happy to be the first large-scale trade show to return to the show floor in the U.S.,” said Nan Walsh, president, North America at Informa Markets, which also plans the IRE. “I believe we are signaling a return to business and connection that is needed now more than ever.”

This signature annual event drew tens of thousands of industry professionals, featuring more than 650 exhibiting companies across nearly 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Like IRE, the show converted to a badge-less, fully digital registration process. It required handy use of your smartphone for QR-code scanning at the entrances, but was pretty convenient, according to trade show veteran Cecilia Brauer, RC’s western sales manager.

She noted convention staff wore masks, and it was encouraged with signage, but sparingly enforced, and that exhibitors were stressing quality-over-quantity in terms of in-person meetings and product inquiries.

“Everyone attending wants to talk and be in-person, and understands the industry has to start somewhere,” she noted from the show floor.

Register for IRE 2021 here.

NWiR will holds its fourth annual event prior to IRE 2021.

National Women in Roofing Day Returns Aug. 8

Before the IRE 2021 officially begins, join women from all facets of the roofing industry to learn about the latest strategies and tactics during National Women in Roofing (NWiR) Day.

NWiR Day takes place 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 in Las Vegas. Now in its fourth year, the annual event brings together hundreds of like-minded women for a day of fun, insights and inspiration. Unlike other conferences, the sessions held throughout the day don’t focus on specific platforms or tools, and is applicable to all roofing professionals.

“NWiR Day is an event designed to bring together the many amazing women within the roofing industry,” said Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited and a member of NWiR’s executive committee. “Together we will learn about topics specific to women, discover technical skills, recruitment opportunities, and ways to enhance our personal and professional lives. This is a day you do not want to miss, it's all about you! Join us as we reveal what roofing is to you and the industry!”

Attendees can participate in sessions covering a wide range of topics, including communications, mentoring, recruitment, and career development. Hands-on demonstrations are also available alongside plenty of networking opportunities, from Q&A sessions to roundtables.

"It's been great, a lot of educational information that I believe is going to help me as a woman do better in the industry," said Xochitl Arango, owner of The Roofing Lady, during the third annual NWiR Day.

The fun doesn’t stop when the sessions end. The day includes a light breakfast, lunch, snacks and evening activity. As of publication, the NWiR is providing a swag bag of gifts from the event’s sponsors to the first 195 attendees.

A full schedule and agenda will be available on the NWiR website. To register for the event, visit the IRE website.

Image courtesy of SRS Raise the Roof Foundation.

SRS Distribution Brings Little Big Town and Darius Rucker to Sin City

SRS Distribution knows how to throw a good time for a good cause, as attendees to the IRE 2020 in Dallas know. At that event, guests enjoyed music from legendary rock band Journey and were treated to a keynote address from former President George W. Bush.

The Dallas-based roofing and building supply distributor is back for IRE 2021 with another memorable concert on Aug. 11 at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. This year’s event will feature country music group Little Big Town and Darius Rucker, from Hootie and the Blowfish fame.

First formed in 1998, the three-time Grammy Award-winning Little Big Town still consists of its original band lineup, creating popular country hits like “Pontoon,” “Girl Crush” and “Better Man” and a discography of nine albums. Mandalay Bay is just one stop on their latest tour, which features dates well into the end of the year.

Joining them at the House of Blues is Rucker, who after achieving success as the lead vocalist and guitarist for ‘90s sensation Hootie and the Blowfish, flourished as a solo country music artist. In 2009, he became the first Black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association, and the second Black person to receive an award from the association.

All money raised by the concert goes directly to NWiR, the Roofing Alliance, and the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation. Guest speakers this year include members of NWiR and the Roofing Alliance as part of SRS’ commitment to improving diversity and inclusion in the roofing industry.

The nonprofit SRS Raise the Roof Foundation was formed in 2012 as a way for SRS to give back to its communities, often championing causes like support for veterans and disaster relief. All food and drinks are included for the event, so SRS encourages guests to come hungry, thirsty and ready to support great causes.

For more information, visit www.srsraisetherooffoundation.org.