Why WRE 2026 Is a Must-Attend

WSRCA Executive Director Joel Viera joins Roofing Contractor’s Jill Bloom for a preview of the 2026 Western Roofing Expo in Las Vegas. Hear what’s planned for education, networking, the Roofing Games, Roofers Feud and the Davis Memorial Foundation.

Viera said the association is particularly focused on attracting contractors who view education as an essential part of improving their businesses.

“We have a great lineup for you this year,” he said.

That lineup includes 31 educational sessions covering everything from technical roofing and business management to safety and legal issues. WSRCA is also building on its Western Roofing en Español program, which debuted last year, with six sessions presented in Spanish, including two lunch-and-learn programs.

Speakers include familiar roofing industry names such as Ken Klein, Trent Cotney, Steve Zasadil and Paul Reed, along with several association members taking a larger role in educating their peers.

For Viera, that commitment extends well beyond the annual expo. WSRCA conducts educational roadshows throughout the year, but he described the Western Roofing Expo as the central gathering point for those efforts.

“The expo is the hub for everything, all things education,” Viera said.

More Than a Trade Show

Education may be at the heart of the Western Roofing Expo, but Viera and the WSRCA team also want attendees to have a good time.

The event will feature two luncheons. The legislative luncheon on Sept. 28 includes legislative consultant Craig Brightup and NRCA Board Chair Chad Collins. The Davis Memorial Foundation scholarship recipients will also be announced during the event.

The following day, comedian-turned-coach Shireen Thor will deliver the keynote at WSRCA’s annual luncheon. The association will also recognize several industry members through its annual awards, including Board Member of the Year, Outstanding Service Award and Wrangler of the Year.

Then there are the events designed to keep contractors engaged right through the end of the show.

The Roofing Games return for roughly their 12th year, bringing nine roofing contractors together for a shingling competition that tests speed, safety and technical ability. The winner receives $1,000 from Malarkey and a championship belt.

Viera said the competition originally grew out of a simple challenge familiar to trade show organizers: keeping attendees on the show floor through the final hours.

The solution was to give them something they didn’t want to miss.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s a great viewing event,” Viera said. “And it’s just a great way to tie a little bow on the expo when it’s all said and done.”

There’s also Roofers Feud, WSRCA’s roofing-industry spin on the classic “Family Feud” game show. Sponsored by CertainTeed and featuring Cotney in the host role, the competition pits teams against one another over roofing questions and gives the winning participants gift cards.

Viera said those activities are intentional. Contractors can find products, services and suppliers on virtually any roofing trade show floor. WSRCA wants to add experiences that make the event memorable.

Giving Back to Roofing

The Western Roofing Expo also provides a platform for supporting the next generation of the industry through the Davis Memorial Foundation.

Events on Sept. 27 include a golf tournament, sporting clays tournament and live auction. The foundation awards $75,000 in scholarships along with another $5,000 in SkillsUSA grants.

For Viera, notifying scholarship recipients and their families remains one of the most rewarding parts of the association’s work.

“It’s one of the best things to do, calling somebody and then calling their parents, letting them know that their child has won $5,000,” he said. “It’s a really, really wonderful feeling.”

Viera said registration numbers were already strong, with the 2026 expo shaping up to potentially rank among the association’s top three shows.

He encouraged longtime industry members to return, but also extended an invitation to contractors who are new to roofing or have yet to become involved with the association.

“It’s a great place to learn,” Viera said. “Lifelong learners are exactly who we’re targeting to be involved with in our association.”

That focus on learning, combined with networking, competition and giving back, is what Bloom said continues to make the Western Roofing Expo a special stop on the roofing industry calendar.

“You can’t leave early,” Bloom said. “You have to stay for the whole thing because there’s so many fun things going on.”

The Western Roofing Expo takes place Sept. 27-29 at Paris Las Vegas. Registration and additional information are available through WSRCA and the Western Roofing Expo website.