SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hundreds of roofing contractors and industry professionals from around the country ventured to the Arizona desert for today’s launch of the 18th annual Best of Success conference at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

The unique, two-day conference that’s typically scheduled for the fall moved to its new timeline, nestled perfectly between the Thanksgiving and traditional holiday seasons to help roofing contractors not only finish the year strong, but build momentum heading into 2023, said RC Publisher Jill Bloom.

“Peer-to-peer sharing is the foundation of what we do and its my personal passion to help connect people to solve problems,” said Bloom, who launched the Best of Success conference in South Carolina in 2003 and has organized every one since. "It’s our goal to leave a legacy of building relationships so in those moments of success and failures you know exactly who to call."

The event kicked off with a National Women in Roofing (NWiR) reception held Dec. 4, where women in the industry heard from a panel of marketing experts in the roofing industry on how to grow their business and brand through social media.

"We spent the last year really focusing on career paths for women and recruitment into the roofing industry," said Lee Lipniskis, owner of Levello Construction in Denver, Colo., and a member of NWiR’s events committee. "We're talking about powerhouse pathways ... and today we're going to talk about how to drive growth and customer engagement through social media."

The panel featured Sara Lechowich, CEO of True North Roofing of Cottage Grove, Minn.; Liz Garza, director of marketing for My Roofing Crew in Springfield, Tenn.; and Kristina Hill, co-owner of HomeShield Roofing & Exteriors of Lincoln, Neb. Read more about the event here.

A welcome reception on Sunday invited attendees to relax and socialize while soaking in the hotel's holiday decor.

The 18th Best of Success features more than 18 dynamic industry experts, contractors and association representatives speaking to attendees on a wide range of topics. Highlights from day one include a session by National Roofing Partners on how to prevent fraud in your business and a presentation by Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing of Irvine, Calif., on the importance of telling your company’s story as a business tool.

“I've learned that if you don't talk about it, how are people gonna know, and that's important in your company and outside,” said Antis. "Look at yourself and in that place that you have with this trade, what is it you do? Where are those funny stories where you tried so hard and failed, but now you figured it out? What is it that fulfills you? You need to share it."

Day two features a half-dozen sessions including an update from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) leadership; learning to hire and retain Millennial and Gen Z workers; and empowering a Latino workforce. 

The event also serves as the perfect platform to recognize outstanding roofing contractors, with presentations of the Roofing Technology Think Tank's Innovator of the Year award as well as revealing the 2022 Contractors of the Year. Check back on roofingcontractor.com for more information on this year's winners.