DALLAS — Ken Schmidt, former director of communications at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, will provide the Keynote Address at the 2015 International Roofing Expo (IRE) Feb. 24-26, 2015 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

During the Keynote Address, “Make Some Noise: Open the Throttle and Dominate Your Marketplace,” Schmidt will share his expertise on brand building, corporate positioning and customer relations.

Held immediately prior to the opening of the show, the Keynote Address will take place on Feb. 24 from 9:45 to 10:50 a.m. in The Great Hall at the Morial Convention Center. The event is sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products, exhibiting in Booth #1133.

“Ken Schmidt played a pivotal role in the famous turnaround of Harley-Davidson from the brink of bankruptcy,” said Tracy Garcia, CEM, director of the IRE. “Our attendees and exhibitors will love hearing his inspirational and motivating presentation.”

Schmidt will share his insight on how businesses of any size and scope can, like Harley-Davidson, create meaningful differentiation from competitors; maintain veteran customer relationships while innovatively pursuing new ones; improve sales through customer referrals; attract and retain employees; and revitalize corporate culture.

“Ken Schmidt is a brand visionary with proven ideas and concepts that can easily be applied to the roofing industry,” said Bill Good, executive vice president of NRCA, the show’s official sponsor. “By attending, our members will learn innovative ideas on how to grow their businesses.”

The Keynote is included free of charge in all registration packages, but advance registration is required. Online registration will available beginning in late September.

 For more information, visit www.theroofingexpo.com.