Article reprinted from Western Roofing magazine July/August 2007.

Western Roofing Expo 2007 Recap

Thousands Converge for 33rd Annual WSRCA Convention in Las Vegas

by Marc Dodson, editor

Ah yes, Paris in June! The Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, was the site of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association’s (WSRCA) 33rd annual convention and trade show, June 3-6. According to the WSRCA, convention attendance was once again over-the-top with 2,900 convention-goers converging in the Nevada desert for Western Roofing Expo 2007. Roofing professionals from throughout the West were on hand to experience the three days of seminars, golf and sporting clays, exhibits, demonstrations, and industry camaraderie.

Trade Show

The trade show was filled to capacity with 162 companies staffing 360 booths. Booth space for the Western Roofing Expo 2007 had been sold-out for several months. The Expo featured local, regional, and national companies displaying their latest products and services, many available only in the Western market. This was one of the best-attended WSRCA shows to date and the majority of the exhibitors we talked to were very pleased with the turnout and the convention.

Charlie Frost, president of the WSRCA, as well as the entire WSRCA staff were on hand to cut the obligatory red ribbon to open the show. Once open, the show remained a bustling center of activity until the final closing hours.

The Davis Memorial Foundation raffle took place on the final day of the trade show. The grand prizewinner, Don Bosnick from Bosnick Roofing, University, Wash., walked away with a 2007 BMW 328i.

Seminars

Seminars this year included: Insurance Nightmares; Who, What, and Why is Western States RCA “The” Association to support in the Western Region; Low-Slope Roof Design; The Art of Handcrafting Slate; The Principles of a Successful Waterproofing Project; Tile Roof Institute’s Installer Certification Program; What the Heck is a “Green Roof” Anyway?; TPO 5-Year Updates: TPO’s Five Years and Beyond; and Roofing Litigation Case Studies. Additionally, new for this year were the Exhibitor Showcase seminars.

Two of the best-attended seminars were The Principles of a Successful Waterproofing Project and the TPO 5-Year Updates: TPO’s Five Years and Beyond. Both played to standing room only crowds, which is even more impressive when you consider that both seminars were held concurrently with other seminars.

On June 6, the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI) Region IV presented seminars in conjunction with the WSRCA convention. Seminars this year included: Retrofitting with Lightweight Concrete; Factory Mutual Update; Studies & Testing: Composition Shingle, Wind Resistance & Seal Tab Technology; Best Practices for Design, Installation & Maintenance for Green Roofing; and Use of Panelized Wood Decks & Radiant Barriers.

Annual Luncheon

The speaker at the annual luncheon this year was Frank W. Abagnale, one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement, and secure documents. Abagnale related his life story, which included poseing as an airline pilot, an attorney, a college professor, and a pediatrician. He was apprehended by the French police when he was 21 years old, Abagnale served time in the French, Swedish, and U.S. prison systems. His compelling story and view of life and family brought the crowd to their feet as he received a standing ovation.

Scholarship Fund Raisers

The Davis Memorial Foundation Tournaments again hosted two fund-raising sporting tournaments prior to the convention. On Sunday, June 3, the golf tournament was held at the Revere Golf Club. The Sporting Clays Tournament was held concurrently at the Desert Lake Country Club.

A silent and not-so-silent auction was held during the President’s Reception, which also netted the foundation several thousand dollars. Additionally, Firestone Building Products Company donated $5,000 to the Davis Memorial Foundation. Including this year’s contribution, the program has received more than $45,000 from Firestone since its inception in 1996.

The Davis Memorial Foundation awarded five scholarships this year: Elissa Baker, Professional Roofing, Idaho; Amanda Lines, T&T Roofing, Idaho; Erick Loden, Dave Loden Construction, Wyoming; Kara Loden, Dave Loden Construction, Wyoming; and Shaun Sommer, Dynamic Roofing, California.

New Officers

The newly elected officers for the 2006-2007 year are as follows: president, Sharon Keppler, Evergreen Roofing, Oregon; senior vice president, Charles Chapman, Tecta America, Minn.; vice president/2 year, Bill Baley, CI Services, Calif.; vice president/2 year, Christian Madsen, Madsen Roofing, Calif.; vice president/1 year, Tom Bradford, Bradford Roof Management, Billings, Mont.; vice president/1 year, Dennis Ryan, Waterproofing Associates, Calif.; and immediate former president, Charlie Frost, Charles Frost Roofing, Calif.

Next year the WSRCA will hold its 34th annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 8-11, 2008, at the Paris Hotel & Casino. For more information, contact the WSRCA at (650) 548-0112. •••