“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more,
then, you are an excellent leader.”
— Dolly Parton, singer
For a fifth year, the roofing industry came together in Washington, D.C., to lead the push for changes to benefit industry employers and workers and the customers they serve. From April 18-19, NRCA and its supporting partners welcomed 221 roofing professionals from the contracting, manufacturing, distributing and consulting sectors to Roofing Day in D.C. 2023.
Roofing professionals from 33 states and Washington, D.C., descended upon Capitol Hill to speak with one voice to members of Congress during the largest government advocacy event of its kind.
“As the roofing industry faces ongoing challenges, it is more important than ever for industry professionals to interact with lawmakers face-to-face to share information and concerns, and that’s exactly what happened here,” says McKay Daniels, NRCA’s CEO. “In one day, roofing professionals attended more than 170 meetings with congressional leaders and their staffs. Thank you to all who participated in this significant event.”
After hearing about current policy trends and receiving a briefing about how to conduct congressional visits, on April 19, roofing professionals met with senators and representatives to discuss key advocacy issues, including workforce shortage solutions; express support for the Main Street Tax Certainty Act; and advocate for funding for the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office.
“My congressional meetings were positive and involved good dialogue on the issues that are important to our industry,” says Kyle Thomas, executive vice president of Thomas Industries Inc., Mobile, Ala., and NRCA’s immediate former chairman of the board. “Attending Roofing Day in D.C. is important for building relationships with lawmakers and congressional staff so we can make greater progress addressing our industry’s workforce challenges and other critical issues.”
By discussing key issues directly with congressional leaders, roofing professionals help lawmakers understand how current and future legislation affects the industry.
“I appreciated meeting with my constituents during Roofing Day in D.C. to hear firsthand about the key issues facing the roofing industry’s small- and family-owned businesses,” says Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
The beneficial effects of the event were evident to lawmakers and industry professionals alike, many of whom expressed positive feedback and a desire to participate again in future years.
“Participating in Roofing Day in D.C. with my colleagues from our company was a rewarding experience,” says Peter Horch, president and CEO of Horch Roofing Inc., Warren, Maine. “There is no substitute for having face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss key issues, such as the importance of good tax policy for small businesses. We also found the speakers and panel discussions informative. I’m already looking forward to attending next year!”
Mark your calendars now for Roofing Day in D.C. 2024, which will be held April 16-17.
SARA VAUGHN is Professional Roofing’s assistant editor and NRCA’s manager of communications.
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