Western Roofing Expo 2025 Recap
Las Vegas Hosts 51st Annual WSRCA Expo
by Marcus Dodson, Publisher
The Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) hosted its 51st Annual Western Roofing Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 28-30, 2025. The trade show returned to the Paris®-Las Vegas and contractors, sales reps, manufacturers, and more were excited to gather and celebrate this landmark for the WSRCA at the highly anticipated event. Once again, the industry’s finest came out to the entertainment capital of the world to network, learn, and have some fun. According to the WSRCA, 4,346 attendees came together for the Western Roofing Expo 2025, making it the second largest Western Roofing Expo in history. Everyone was excited to connect face-to-face and hear from leading experts, educators, and colleagues. Popular highlights once again were the golf and sporting clays tournaments, silent auction, and two days of seminars and demonstrations.
Tournaments
Before the Western Roofing Expo 2025 seminars and demonstrations began on the trade show floor, the Davis Memorial Foundation hosted its annual golf and sporting clays tournaments. On Sunday, September 28, a sold out number of 136 participants attended the golf tournament, which was held at Revere Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada. Golfers traversed through the rugged desert canyons and valleys of the Las Vegas foothills and enjoyed breathtaking views of the skyline and the mountain landscapes beyond. The winners were: Flight A, first place, David DeBettignies,
Josh White, Conner Barthel, and Stefan Krajewski; Flight B, first place, Don Gonzales, Dennis Burke, Daren Webster, and Ignacio Quijas; men’s closest to the pin, Mike Ortega; women’s closest to the pin, Valorie Miller; men’s longest drive, Chris Cervantes; and women’s longest drive, Ashley Jager.
The Pro Gun Club hosted the sporting clays tournament that same morning, which was once again an exhilarating start to the Western Roofing Expo 2025. The winners were: flight one, first place, Zach Lindberg; and flight two, first place, Kelley Joyce.
The Roofing Games™ were held on Tuesday, which included the steep-slope nailing competition, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products®. Contestants competed in a timed event showcasing their individual asphalt-shingle nailing skills and a chance to win a cash prize. The participants were judged on accuracy, aesthetics, speed, and workmanship. Kevin Robbins of Robbins Roofing from Santa Ana, California, was the 2025 winner with a time of 2:21. Congratulations to Robbins who won the title belt, goody bag, and $500 gift card from Malarkey Roofing Products. To all The Roofing Games participants who competed this year, fans in the crowd, and especially the event’s sponsor, thank you for making this such a fun event.
Scholarship & Fundraisers
An elegant welcome party and lively-silent auction on Sunday night was a great way to kick off the Western Roofing Expo 2025. The night was a huge success full of fantastic donated items, hunting trips, vacations, electronic merchandise, jewelry, and of course, roofing-related products were all on display for attendees to bid on. The lively-silent auction was sponsored by GAF and hosted by Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees Chuck Chapman, Pete Schmautz, Megan Ellsworth (daughter of Trustee Heidi Ellsworth), Greg Bloom, Christian Madsen, Tim Hart, Travis Nelson, and Joel Viera.
The Davis Memorial Foundation celebrated another astounding year of fundraising and was able to award 15 $5,000 scholarships to the following deserving recipients: Brandi Opetaia, Hawai‘i Pacific University; Brayden Tambone, Southeastern Oklahoma University; Brendan Jorenby, Mira Costa High School; Colter Wilson, Regis University; Cooper Sanchez, Clarendon College; Elliot Hanson, Colorado College; Jasmine Serratos-Esparza, California State University Monterey Bay; Martin Campa, Lehigh University; Maura Mulligan, Colorado State University; Owen Robinson, California State University Monterey Bay; Owen Schnabel, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Peyton Quaglino, San Luis Obispo High School; Savannah Lopez, Silver Creek High School; Sydney Winkle, California State San Bernardino Palm Desert; and Victoria Mejia, West Coast University.
Trade Show
Attendees were invited to walk the trade show floor on Monday and Tuesday. Roofing professionals moved from booth to booth as they watched demonstrations, listened to seminars, and tested out products from some of the leading industry manufacturers, distributers, and suppliers of roof-related products, materials, equipment, and services, many only available in the Western market.
Seminars
Monday and Tuesday were also filled with a diverse and exciting selection of seminars. The educational programs at the Western Roofing Expo 2025 were designed by WSRCA contractors to help members be better roofing contractors and business people. This year, the Western Roofing Expo 2025 focused on a variety of topics that covered a broad spectrum of interests including: TPO Membrane Performance: Reassessment and Maintenance Options; Massive Leaks: Tips Gleaned from a Case Defending a Roof Contractor Where Others Prepared Specs/Drawings; Building a Future-Ready Business: Strategies for Operational Growth and Stability; From Stagnation to Success: How Leadership Coaching can Revolutionize Your Roofing Business; Safe at the Top: Building a Rock-Solid Safety Culture in Roofing; State of the Industry: A Legal Perspective; Comprensión de las Disposiciones Contractuales Críticas (Understanding Critical Contract Provisions); Elevating Roof Quality, Performance, and Profitability on Low Slope Membrane Roof Systems; Above-Sheathing Ventilation in Steep-Sloped Roof Systems: A Key to Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Durability; Bidding for Success: How Strategic Estimating Drives Profitability; Future-Proofing Your Roofing Business: Leveraging AI, Advanced Marketing, and Automation Strategies for 2025; OSHA Defense Mastery Strategies for Contractor Compliance and Protection; My Employees are Legal: An Overview of the Form I-9 Process from Hiring Through ICE Audit; Trabajo Seguro en Altura (Working Safely at Height), Roofing Wind Speeds: ASCE, Uplift Ratings, and Warranties; All Four Types of Thermal Infrared Roof Moisture Surveys Explained; Contractor Roundtable Discussion: Spread Best Roofing Practices; Turning Workforce Development into Dollars: Recruit, Train, and Retain; DIY Safety Plan: Build It Before You Need It; AI in Roofing: Legal Challenges and Opportunities; Cómo Conseguir más Techos Comerciales con un Programa de Servicio y Mantenimiento (How to Get More Commercial Roofs with a Service and Maintenance Program); Is That Leak Really the Roof?; Roofing Details and Specifications by Roofing Design Professionals That Roofing Contractors Should Not Use; Building Your Leadership Bench: Preparing Future Leaders for Roofing Success; Rise to the Top: Unlock Your Career Potential in the Roofing Industry; Getting Paid: Legal Strategies for Roofing Contractors to Protect the Right to Payment; Navigating Immigration Regulations in Roofing; and Trucos para Dominar el Proceso de Seguro (Tips and Tricks to Dominate the Insurance Process).
Annual Luncheons
The Legislative Luncheon was held on Monday with keynote speakers Craig Brightup and McKay Daniels. As a Washington insider, Brightup provided his views and information on how new legislation is affecting the roofing and waterproofing industries. Daniels, the CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association, shared his invaluable insight into the future of the roofing industry.
Winding down the convention on Tuesday, special keynote speaker Mike Schlappi made a guest appearance at the Annual Luncheon, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. At the age of 14, Schlappi was an outstanding athlete when a gunshot to the chest at point-blank range challenged his dreams. He would never walk again. After months of rigorous physical therapy, he began playing basketball from his wheelchair and went on to become a standout Olympic athlete. His inspiring and heart warming presentation motivated the luncheon audience heading into the final portion of the Expo.
Awards
For his outstanding efforts in recruiting potential members to join the WSRCA, Scott Riopelle of Interstate Roofing won the 2025 Wrangler of the Year award. This was his second year in a row winning this prestigious award for his hard work. Immediately following the luncheon entertainment, WSRCA presented its annual awards. Board Member of the Year went to Juan Delgado with Sustainable Living Builders. Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun was awarded the Outstanding Service Award. Greg Bloom was inducted into the WSRCA Hall of Fame.
New Officers
The elected officers this year are as follows: Stan Robinson, President; Ron Lloyd, Senior Vice President; Hillary McPartlon, Vice President; Austin Barnhardt, Vice President; Stephanie Baird, Vice President; Scott Riopelle, Vice President; and Kris Hitesman, Immediate Former President.
Western Roofing Expo 2026
Next year, the Western Roofing Expo Convention and Trade Show will return to the Paris-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, September 27-29, 2026 for what should be another sold-out show. For more information, contact the WSRCA at (800) 725-0333.
