I hope you’ll be joining us in Las Vegas Feb. 16-18 for the 2011 International Roofing Expo. The tradeshow floor will feature an array of new products and services from approximately 380 exhibiting companies in more than 900 booths, and we’re anxious to see what’s new this year.

Late last year Roofing Contractor teamed up with BNP Media Market Research to conduct the State of the Industry survey, which was sponsored by GAF Materials Corporation. 

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) has a reputation for top-notch technical sessions, and its 2010 annual conference in Indianapolis was no exception. A standing-room-only crowd was on hand for the panel on “TPO Long-Term Performance.” 

“Nothing in America happens until something gets sold,” said Michael Kelley. “And hard work is the yeast which raises the dough.” Kelley, the General Manager of Kelley Construction Contractors, focused his presentation at Best of Success on building value with the customer. Right off the bat, he acknowledged that it takes time and effort.

Matt Spanton, Vice President of Mastercraft Exteriors in Rockton, Ill., credits new technology with helping him increase sales and boost his bottom line.

Before becoming the owner of Guardian Roofing and Windows in Tacoma, Wash., Aaron Santas worked as a branch manager for a major construction materials distributor. Santas worked closely with a lot of contractors, and he found out that the successful ones had something in common. “Successful contractors watch their numbers, and they know them intimately,” he said. 

Allen Lancaster, the current president of the National Roofing Contractors Association, updated Best of Success attendees on NRCA. “In a tough economy, there’s no shortage of issues,” he said. “My hope for the year 2011 is that we finally get a Congress that is business friendly.”