The event used to be a breakfast meeting, but organizers are elevating the experience this year.

 “It’s outgrown its timeslot,” METALCON Vice President Judy Geller told Roofing Contractor in a recent podcast. “We used to have it the morning of when the show opened, and it was only 90 minutes. There was so much interest in the program this year so we made it a half-day for women in the construction industry to connect, find mentors, hear from keynote speakers, and network.”

FORGE is set for 1-5 p.m. and will feature keynote speaker Rita Goodroe, panel discussions with women leaders from across the industry, and networking opportunities designed to encourage mentorship and professional growth. Goodroe will present Beyond Impressive: Create Your Own Path in Construction and Beyond.

“So many of us are doing everything right,” said Goodroe, a Fortune 500 attorney for 13 years, in a release. “We say the right thing, hit the numbers, keep everything running and manage everybody else’s expectations on top of it. And we still don’t feel seen, heard or valued.”

The panel discussion is titled More Than a Seat at the Table: Women Building Influence Across the Industry. Panelists include leaders from across construction, sustainability, workforce development, entrepreneurship and finance. They’ve come together to share real-world perspectives about navigating leadership, building influence and creating lasting impact in a rapidly evolving industry, Geller said.

National Women In Roofing (NWIR) is hosting a reception afterward.

Photos: METALCON

The expanded programming reflects broader workforce trends affecting construction, where recruiting skilled labor, retaining employees and preparing future leaders have become priorities for companies across the supply chain. METALCON organizers believe trade shows have an important role in addressing those challenges by bringing together education, product innovation and face-to-face networking under one roof.

"The workforce is changing, and successful companies are adapting alongside it," Geller said. "Events like this provide opportunities to build careers, strengthen leadership and connect professionals across every segment of the metal construction market."

Lee Ann Slattery, sales support manager at ATAS International and the first woman to chair the Metal Construction Association, said FORGE is important to women in the metal construction industry to allow for networking and education in a dedicated and safe space where they can share challenges and successes with other women.

“At FORGE, a woman can meet peers who understand shared experiences and might find a mentor or mentee to help in their career growth,” Slattery says. “The women they meet can become great industry contacts and may even result in new friendships.”

By connecting with current and emerging leaders, FORGE helps participants return to their organizations better connected, more confident and better equipped to lead.

“Events like FORGE create meaningful opportunities for professionals to build relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen their leadership skills in a collaborative environment,” says Jessica Haddock, Marketing Director at S-5!. “Conversations that happen outside formal sessions often lead to mentorship, partnerships and fresh perspectives.”

To register or for more information about FORGE, visit: https://www.metalcon.com/forge/.

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