WINTER PARK, Fla. – After closely monitoring the worldwide situation with COVID-19, the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association's (FRSA) Executive Committee and staff made the difficult decision to cancel the FRSA’s 98th Annual Convention and the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo, originally scheduled to take place July 15-17, 2020 in Kissimmee, Fla.

“We did not make this decision lightly,” said Lisa Pate, FRSA executive director. “In our 98-year history, we’ve never had to cancel an expo, even after some major hurricanes, but at the end of the day, health and safety must be our priority.”

With the cancellation confirmed, FRSA staff got right to work transitioning components of the event to an online platform. Extensive roofing-specific changes to the 2020 Florida Building Code and the FRSATRI Tile Installation Manual 6th Edition made seminars a clear priority. The Association partnered with AAA Construction School, Jacksonville, and will host 17 online seminars taught by industry professionals.

Seminars are competitively priced and Florida and industry specific. A full 14-hour package is $69, an 8-hour package is $39, and a single hour is $14. To register for the seminars, visit www.floridaroof.com and click on the “Register” button on the right.

Next to receive a digital overhaul was the Silent Auction hosted by FRSA’s Educational and Research Foundation. Each year, donations, such as vacation getaways, restaurant gift cards and roofing materials, raise money for student scholarships. After awarding an unprecedented $30,000 to deserving students this year, the auction was pivoted to an online format in hopes of setting new record-breaking numbers next year. The auction will run from July 10-17. To register and bid on items, text FRSA to 243725 or visit www.floridaroof.com and follow the Online Auction link.

With contractors unable to walk the aisles of the expo hall this year, the next challenge was finding new ways for Florida roofing contractors to connect with the exhibitors, sponsors and associate members that support the association. The all-new Expo Guide was the perfect solution. The 92-page guide highlights many components of the show, including the 2020 S.T.A.R. Award winners, recipients of important industry awards, seminar descriptions, advertisements from generous event sponsors and a complete list of the exhibitors that donated or rolled over their 2020 booth fees.

The guide is currently in the mail heading to over 10,000 Florida roofing contractors and will be available in digital format on the FRSA website and social media platforms. As an added bonus for those flipping the pages, FRSA has included two unique opportunities to win cash! The FRSA 25 Square Challenge has moved online this year. Visit the websites of participating companies to answer trivia questions and send in your answers for a chance to win $1,000. FRSA members are also eligible for the $1,000 grand prize by finding the answers to 10 trivia questions hidden throughout the Expo Guide.

“It’s been a learning year for everyone as we stepped away from our normal routine,” said Pate. “We are excited about our online offerings this year and some of them may stick around for future events."

But don’t expect anything online to replace FRSA’s in-person Annual Convention any time soon.

“Success in this industry relies on relationships, networking and face-to-face meetings. We will gather again and we are more excited than ever to celebrate our 99th year in 2021," Pate said.

FRSA’s 99th Annual Convention and Expo will take place July 21-23, 2021 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. To learn more about online events happening this year, visit www.floridaroof.com.