New city, new ideas

NRCA heads to Orlando, Fla., for its 125th Annual Convention and the 2012 International Roofing Expo®


Join NRCA in the sunshine state Feb. 20-24 to celebrate its 125th Annual Convention, which will be held in conjunction with Hanley Wood's 2012 International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Orlando, Fla.

With its new location—a departure from Las Vegas—the convention and expo are sure to inspire new ideas while allowing attendees to enhance their industry knowledge by networking with peers, learning about new products and attending educational classes. Attendees also will be able to celebrate NRCA's 125th convention at its booth where they will have chances to win prizes, receive special show discounts on NRCA products, membership and more.

The convention will begin Monday, Feb. 20, with meetings of NRCA's Executive Committee, Affiliate Executives and board of directors.

Legal discussion

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the National Roofing Legal Resource Center (NRLRC) will hold its annual breakfast program.

This year's program, Contractors Beware: Technical Issues Posing Liability Risks to Roofing Contractors, will be held from 7:15 to
9 a.m. and focus discussion on how roofing contractors can limit their liabilities and protect themselves from a number of legal and technical problems in the field.

The panel of speakers includes Rene Dupuis, president of Structural Research Inc., Middleton, Wis.; Mark Graham, NRCA's associate executive director of technical services; Dick Baxter, president of CRS of Monroe Inc., Monroe, N.C.; Johnny Zamrzla, president of Western Pacific Roofing, Palmdale, Calif.; and Stephen Phillips, a partner with Atlanta-based law firm Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Flatt.

The breakfast is open to NRLRC members and those eligible for NRLRC membership. Each NRLRC member receives one complimentary breakfast ticket. To register for NRLRC's annual breakfast program, contact NRLRC at (847) 299-9092 or e-mail Anne Schroeder, NRLRC's director, at nrlrc@nrlrc.net.

Educational opportunities

NRCA will hold various educational courses Feb. 21, including CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization, Photovoltaic Roof Systems: Energizing Your Business and Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z.

CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization, a 10-hour accreditation program demonstrating how to teach torch safety, will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants will learn the latest industry best practices for torch-applied roof systems. After successfully completing the program, participants will be authorized to conduct Certified Roofing Torch Applicator (CERTA) certification training for roofing workers. Each Train-the-trainer Authorization attendee is required to complete a prequalifying questionnaire, which can be downloaded from NRCA's website, www.nrca.net.

Photovoltaic Roof Systems: Energizing Your Business will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about current types of photovoltaic (PV) panels and systems available in the market and NRCA's recommendations for attachment and roof system enhancements when roof-mounted PV systems are installed. Participants will discuss energy calculations, PV modules, wiring concepts, site analysis and module layout for roof-mounted PV systems.

Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z also will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this course, participants will learn how to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new residential fall-protection requirements and become familiar with the specific equipment to use and work practices to employ to avoid hazards. This course also will feature demonstrations of equipment and techniques for self-rescue and relief of suspension trauma.

Registration for all classes is available at the IRE's website, www.theroofingexpo.com.

Additionally, on Friday, Feb. 24, Roof Integrated Solar Energy™ (RISE™) Inc. will hold its Certified Solar Roofing Professional™ (CSRP™) exam.

RISE, which was created by the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing and NRCA, evaluates and certifies solar energy installers for knowledge about critical roof system construction and maintenance practices.

The CSRP designation is a voluntary certification awarded by RISE for those who plan and oversee the installation of roof-mounted PV systems. The credential evaluates whether candidates have the underlying knowledge required to successfully install roof-mounted PV systems.

ROOFPAC events

ROOFPAC, NRCA's political action committee, will hold its annual golf tournament sponsored by Johns Manville, Denver, Feb. 21 at ChampionsGate Golf Club.

ChampionsGate Golf Club features two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by architect and golfer Greg Norman. Participants will receive lunch, a complimentary raffle ticket to win an iPad® 2, a goody bag, access to a post-tournament reception and prizes, including an opportunity to win $10,000.

The golf tournament is a ticketed event, and the number of golfers is limited to 144. The registration form for the golf tournament is available at www.nrca.net or by contacting Bethany Field, NRCA's manager of public affairs, at bfield@nrca.net. The registration deadline is Jan. 31.

ROOFPAC also will hold a silent auction Wednesday, Feb. 22, through Thursday, Feb. 23. The auction, sponsored by GAF, Wayne, N.J., will be held at ROOFPAC's booth, No. 440. Participants will be able to bid on vacations, jewelry, electronics, memorabilia and more. All proceeds from the silent auction will go to ROOFPAC. Winners will be announced Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Community service day

On Feb. 21, IRE, NRCA's Community Service and Disaster Relief Fund Committee and Rebuilding Together® of Central Florida will hold IRE Community Service Day, a home renovation and revitalization project, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sika Sarnafil, Canton, Mass., is the Community Service Day sponsor.

IRE is seeking skilled volunteers from various construction disciplines to help with renovations, including roofing, painting, flooring and carpentry. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will be asked to sign a waiver of liability form.

Attendees and exhibitors can register for Community Service Day and/or make a monetary donation when they register to attend the IRE. For more information, go to www.theroofingexpo.com/attendee or call (866) 860-1970.

Awards presentations

On Feb. 23, NRCA will recognize all award recipients at its awards ceremony and cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m.

The program will formally recognize the recipient of the J.A. Piper Award, the roofing industry's most prestigious award presented to a roofing professional who has demonstrated outstanding service to NRCA and the roofing industry. It was established in 1947 and named after former NRCA President J.A. Piper in appreciation of his service during the Great Depression.

The program also will formally recognize the winners of NRCA's Gold Circle Awards, which recognize members for outstanding contributions to the roofing industry, and The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress' Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, which recognize and honor outstanding roofing workers from various U.S. regions who serve as role models and demonstrate work-related and personal goals to which others aspire.

Also, NRCA will recognize the first graduating class of NRCA University's Executive Management Institute (EMI). EMI offers seasoned roofing executives the opportunity to learn from world-renowned professors from Evanston, Ill.-based Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management; apply learned concepts through a competitive team project; receive one-on-one company-specific feedback on assignments; and network with industry peers.

Additionally, NRCA's retiring officers and directors will be recognized.

Expo events

The expo will begin Feb. 22 with the keynote address, Running a Winning Organization, from 9:45 to 10:50 a.m. NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace will be this year's keynote speaker and will share his experiences from his NASCAR driving career.

To complement Wallace's keynote address, the show floor will feature a NASCAR Experience booth, No. 763, with a NASCAR simulator car. Attendees will be able to sit behind the wheel and watch a flat-screen monitor while the car shakes and tilts to simulate the experience of driving on a raceway. Prizes will be awarded daily to the highest scorers in the fastest lap contest.

The IRE welcome party will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Universal CityWalk,® a 30-acre entertainment complex in Universal Orlando® Resort. The party will give expo attendees the opportunity to network with colleagues and peers and help build industry contacts.

Additionally, in celebration of its 125th convention, expo attendees who stop by NRCA's booth, No. 443, will be eligible to have their names entered into a drawing for the chance to win a $125 Visa® gift card; one name will be drawn. Attendees also will be able to receive scratch-off cards to win various prizes, including a chance to enter the NRCA Money Booth to win up to $125 in cash. NRCA also will offer special show discounts, including $200 off NRCA membership dues, 20 percent off NRCA Bookstore purchases, $100 off NRLRC membership dues and 10 percent off NRCA University customized training tuition.

Don't miss out

With a new location and plenty of opportunities to network and gain valuable roofing industry knowledge, NRCA's 125th Annual Convention and the 2012 IRE are sure to be a success this year, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity.

Beth Wang is Professional Roofing's editorial assistant.



Registration information

For more information and to register for NRCA's 125th Annual Convention and the 2012 International Roofing Expo,® contact Hanley Wood Expositions at (866) 860-1970 or go to www.theroofingexpo.com.

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