Now that the holiday season is in the rearview mirror, thankfully final planning is falling into place for 2022! At least that depends on Omicron, right? If all goes well, this month the roofing industry will gather together again for the International Roofing Expo (IRE) in the Big Easy. The IRE is always a special event that benefits attendees in so many different ways — certainly too many to mention in this space. But this year’s show will take on a little more special meaning for me, and I believe the industry as a whole.
Reid Ribble, CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), will deliver this year’s keynote address to kick-off the show, and it will be one of his final speeches as the roofing industry’s leading voice. Late last year, the former roofer and congressman from Wisconsin announced he’ll retire in May. Reid has done so much for the roofing industry in his career that will be worthy of praise and discussion in the months ahead as he wraps up his tenure. But one aspect of his work that I really appreciate — and believe will stand out as part of his legacy — is his ability to unify the different parts of the industry into one voice.