In what felt like many years instead of one, roofing professionals with the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) reconvened for the first time since the pandemic during the association’s 2021 Conference and Expo.

After the pandemic canceled its 2020 event, the MRCA welcomed roofing professionals back to in-person events at its annual conference, held Nov. 9-11 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center in Milwaukee, Wis. The MRCA didn’t waste any time in between its events, however; RC Publisher Jill Bloom caught up with Fred Horner, MRCA president, during the conference to hear what the MRCA has achieved in that time.

“We’ve accomplished a lot of different, new programs, but mainly it was because of the great board we have and the great membership we have,” Horner said.

For instance, the MRCA created and honed safety programs, including a Hot Air and Induction Welding Safety Training introduced this year. The MRCA says the training is the industry's only safety program that specifically addresses safety issues related to equipment and products used to hot air and induction weld modified bitumen, TPO and PVC roofing systems.

The MRCA Conference and Expo celebrated its return to being in person with a special giveaway where one lucky winner received a 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide FLHX. Bloom was on hand to get the reaction of the winner, Derek Steere of Alpha Roofing Company, and his plans for his new motorcycle.

Learn more about the MRCA and where it’s heading for its 2022 Conference and Expo by checking out our podcast here.