search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Low Slope RoofingSteep Slope RoofingEvent News

2011 IRE Hits All the Right Numbers in Las Vegas

By Tom Watts
March 31, 2011
The 2011 International Roofing Expo held in Las Vegas hit all the right numbers, including a significant rise in attendance. The show also received rave reviews for its new features, including the Technology Pavilion and Product Showcase.



The 2011 International Roofing Expo held in Las Vegas hit all the right numbers, including a significant rise in attendance. The show also received rave reviews for its new features, including the Technology Pavilion and Product Showcase.

Attendance at IRE held on Feb. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center was up 18 percent compared to last year’s show in New Orleans. “We are thrilled with the number of attendees and the enthusiasm they brought to the buying and selling activity on the show floor,” said Lindsay Roberts, Director of the Expo.

Officials from Hanley Wood Exhibitions, the IRE show presenter, said the attendance was 8,139. Participants came from all segments of the roofing industry, including commercial and residential contractors, builders, remodelers, building owners, facility managers, manufacturers, architects, engineers and other ancillary industry professionals.

With 879 booths and 394 exhibiting companies, the trade show floor featured products, new value-added services and innovative ideas in roofing materials and related products.

The IRE’s educational conference also featured 41 educational sessions. Conference attendance increased 25 percent and totaled an impressive 4,163 sessions sold, Hanley Wood officials said.

Attendees represented all 50 states, with the largest number from California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota, Arizona, New York, Michigan, and Missouri. The largest number of international attendees came from Canada, Mexico, Japan, Sweden, Brazil and Germany.

Joe Theismann Presents Keynote

Former Super Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann did not come to Las Vegas to tell roofing contractors how to be successful; instead he reminded the industry that learning from one another is still in vogue.

“Everyone here is successful in their own right,” said Theismann, who provided the keynote address, “Game Plan for Success” at the opening day of the IRE. “It’s the opportunity to learn from one another.”

In his address, Theismann was engaging, funny, serious, and had audience members on their feet after presenting lessons he learned on the football field and how they helped him succeed in the business world. He received two standing ovations from the audience of more than 1,000 - the largest crowd in the show’s history.

For starters, Theismann, a current ESPN broadcaster and former NFL Most Valuable Player for the Washington Redskins, told contractors about his last pro game, in which when he broke his leg on Monday Night Football. He explained how he had a premonition that the 1985 nationally televised game versus the New York Giants was “going to change my life.”

“I heard a ‘Pow, Pow!’” Theismann, 61, said of the hit by Lawrence Taylor that resulted in a compound fracture of his lower right leg and consequently the end of his playing career. “My career ended, but it wasn’t a tragedy; it was a blessing.”

Theismann’s life changed dramatically after professional football. “The first thing I talked about was goals,” he said. “Take a pen in hand; write down the things you want. You’d be surprised how your life goes in that direction.”

Theismann said people accused him of being cocky and egotistical. “There’s a difference in telling people you’re good and believing it,” he said. “It’s attitudes. Unbelievable! Attitude precedes everything we do in our life.”

Theismann’s mother passed away six months ago and he knows his mother was right in the things she told him “You have to like who you are as a person,” he said. “Do it with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm sends us. Enthusiasm carries us.”

Theismann told contractors to make a point to be successful in life, “You have to have it.”

“Anticipate your role,” he continued. “Educate. Be an excited student whether it’s solar panels or something else. How can I make my job more efficient? (And) hard work; the result is preparation. Are you ready for the moment when it gets to you?”

Theismann told contractors “don’t be afraid to take a chance.”

“Don’t be afraid to jump outside the box,” said Theismann, who offered a story on the one time he was called on to punt the ball that resulted in a 16-yard punt. “I’m own the record for shortest net yard punt.”

Theismann said his cup is always half full, not half empty. “The only reason we are in business is to take care of our customers,” he said.

While reminding contractors to “appreciate every award, every compliment,” Theismann said as he gets older, his quest is to gain more knowledge,

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity (to speak),” he said. “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

That’s Joe Theismann’s “Game Plan for Success.”

The IRE Product Showcase offered the hottest industry trends and the latest new, cool and green products. From a selection of 27 products, a panel of industry experts awarded Jim Gilday, left, and Joe Sama of Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance with “Best Green Product” for its biotray vegetated roof delivery system.

Product Showcase

With 879 booths and 394 exhibiting companies, the trade show floor featured an array of products, new value-added services and innovative ideas in roofing materials and related products. The event’s new Product Showcase offered the hottest industry trends and the latest new, cool and green products in one spot. From a selection of 27 products, a panel of industry experts awarded products in two categories: Best New Product and Best Green Product.

EverCo, LLC, with the Best New Product award for its skylight guard. Duo-Fast Construction’s Duo-Fast DFCR175C gas-powered cordless roofing nailer took second place, and the Saiz Tool Company came in third with its Saiz Shingle Cutting Tool.

The panelists awarded Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance with the Best Green Product award for its biotray vegetative roof delivery system. Other winners included Polyglass USA, Inc., for its Polykool® membrane and tape, which took second place, and Maxiflo’s Maxiflo vent, which came in third.

In attendance at IRE were representatives from the industry’s leading roofing and construction companies, including this group in front of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) booth.

Combining the former New Product Pavilion and Green Pavilion into one showcase area, the rebranded Product Showcase allowed attendees to see, try and compare the latest and unique new, cool and green products. It was sponsored by PHP Systems/Design.

Other companies displaying green products included: Ideal Roofing Company Ltd., Dow Building Systems, Heat Barrier Systems Inc., Permafelt, HotEdge Inc. and SofSurfaces Inc.

Other companies displaying new products included: Ideal Roofing Company Ltd., High Tide Escape Hatch, Gerard/Allmet Roofing, Permafelt; Xact Link, Geocel, LiveHailMap.com, HotEdge Inc., D I Roof Seamers, and Simpson Strong-Tie.

Jan Bagnall of Roof Slope by Pli-Dek Systems shows off his product at the 2011 IRE.

More Expo Happenings

• Debuting this year was the Renewable Energy Pavilion, a designated area on the show floor that provided education and resources to attendees about this innovative and cutting-edge segment. Featuring exhibits and a product showcase area, this new pavilion also provided a two-day series of 45-minute educational demonstrations.
 
• The Live Demonstrations taught attendees how to use, sell and install the latest roofing equipment, materials and techniques through a series of demonstrations from Dow Building Solutions, Duo-Fast Construction, Carlisle Construction Materials, Roof Hugger, Gerard/Allmet Roofing, Kingspan Insulated Panels and Roofers’ Success International.

• Through the Exhibitor Product Clinics, OMG, Soprema, and Equipter educated attendees about their products. A Tech Know How clinic was the site of multiple demonstrations that taught attendees tricks, tips and detailed instructions of their high-tech products and services. The companies presenting at the Tech Know How pavilion included EagleView Technologies, AccuLynx, Allied Building Products, AppliCad, Estimators on Call, HailWatch, Roofing Contractor Magazine and Roofing Contractor Marketing.

• Attendees focused on metal roofing found a multitude of resources in the Metal Marketplace, featuring 44 companies displaying creative and innovative designs, building concepts, tools and services.
 
• Giving back to the Las Vegas community, a pre-show Community Service Day took place on Feb. 15 where 40 attendees and exhibitors enthusiastically volunteered to perform renovations on two homes of elderly veterans. (For more on Community Service Day, see page 34)

• The opening night Welcome Party was held at TAO at the Venetian Hotel. This event attracted over 900 show participants who enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages while mixing and mingling with friends and networking with industry leaders.


A consortium of ABC Supply representatives provide the “thumbs up” during IRE along with Indy Car driver Vitor Meira (front row, far right).

IRE 2012 in Orlando

The 2012 International Roofing Expo will move to Orlando, Fla. Next year’s show is scheduled for Feb. 22-24 at the Orange County Convention Center.

“We are very excited to be returning to Orlando for the first time since 2005 and we feel our attendees and exhibitors will respond well,” said Lindsay Roberts, IRE Director.

When selecting a host city, Hanley Wood Exhibitions - the presenter of IRE - takes into consideration the feedback they receive from attendees and exhibitors.

“We try very hard to meet their needs,” Roberts said. “Post-show survey results indicate a strong desire for a show in the east or southeast and Orlando was the top-rated city.”

The next four International Roofing Expo shows are in different cities - Orlando in 2012, San Antonio in 2013, Las Vegas in 2014 and New Orleans in 2015.
KEYWORDS: conference IRE (International Roofing Expo)

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Tom Watts is the associate editor of Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at 248-244-1738 or wattst@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Sustainable Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

New executive orders signed by President Trump will likely further constrict an already tight labor market for the construction industry.

New Executive Orders Will Further Squeeze Labor Force

A bill under consideration in the Louisiana State House would bar roofing contractors from helping homeowners file or negotiate insurance claims.

La. Weighs Banning Roofers from Assisting with Insurance Claims

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

May 22, 2025

Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • The IRE Show Draws A Crowd in Las Vegas

    See More
  • IRE-2021-show-floor-1

    PHOTOS: Images from IRE 2021 in Las Vegas

    See More
  • ire-demo-2020

    IRE 2021: Roofing Gets Back to Basics in Las Vegas

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • tcr.png

    The Complicated Roof – A Cut and Stack Workbook

  • guyed-steel.gif

    Guyed Steel Stacks

  • 007145828X.jpeg

    Manual of Low-Slope Roof Systems Fourth Edition

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • December 3, 2025

    The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

    Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing