This time next week I will be packing it up and heading to New Orleans for the NRCA Convention and the International Roofing Expo. After over 35 years of these things you would think I might be tired of them, but I am just as excited this time as I was in 1974 when Julien (the late Julien P. Benjamin Jr.) footed the bill for me to attend my first roofing convention.

Many reasons for the excitement in spite of what some would say is one of the toughest times the modern roofing industry ever faced. Here’s my short list:

● It is always great to see old friends and associates, many of whom I only see at this annual event.

● The lovely and talented Kay will join me this year … first time in too many years that she will accompany me to a roofing show. Most folks agree I look better with my cute blonde friend on my arm.

● The event will be in New Orleans for the first time in a very long time. Were it not for Katrina we would have ventured here several years ago. With all the excitement of the “Who Dat” Saints, the city really is back and more than ready to welcome visitors.

● I am addicted to the speed at which these events move. Way too many appointments and things to do and people to see than can possibly be crammed into three or four days.

● Never, in all these years, have I failed to meet some interesting people for the first time and never have I failed to learn something (usually lots).

● We always come away from the NRCA/IRE with plenty of things to write about in Roofing Contractor and Architectural Roofing & Waterproofing.

● My good friend, Mr. G.Q. Zhao, will be in attendance along with Mr. Y. Xian. I had the honor of visiting with Zhao recently in his hometown of Suzhou, China. Saw Mr. Xian last year at the IRE. The Chinese contingent is relatively small this year due to the close proximity to the Chinese New Year. In China and many other Asian counties the celebration lasts an entire week. Zhao is one of the editors for China Building Waterproofing and Roofing Engineering magazines. Xian is director of the Suzhou Waterproof Material Research and Design Institute

● There are so many new “green” products and business opportunities for roofing contractors you can scarcely count them all. We expect to learn a great deal about solar and garden roofing systems and this it the premier event in the roofing industry for rolling out anything new and innovative. I have an assignment to write an feature on BIPV in the USA for Roofing Engineering, so I need to pay attention.

● Roofing Contractor is the official publication of the International Roofing Expo, so attending the event is the culmination of a year’s worth of work by the great staff at Hanley Wood Exhibitions. We are proud to play a small part.

● Speaking of Hanley Wood, I am very pleased that they have lined up a partnership with NRCA and Rebuilding Together in New Orleans to offer show and convention attendees the opportunity to join together for a community service day on Sunday, Feb. 21. Not sure exactly what we will be doing but I do know that Rebuilding Together is a fine organization that helps deserving low-income folks rebuild portions of their homes to make them cleaner, safer, and move livable.

● Really look forward to seeing all of our H-W friends and associates. We exchange lots of phone calls and tons of emails through the year and at last we get to see each other live. Can hardly wait!

If you work in the roofing industry and have not signed up for this once-a-year event, it is not too late. Click on the IRE link and sign up NOW. I look forward to meeting you in New Orleans!