The International Roofing Expo is back in Las Vegas for 2024, and while there may be a more entertaining show or two on The Strip, show planners are ensuring roofers won’t leave the desert disappointed.

Attendees from across the world will have three days to explore a show floor with more than 180,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The exhibits consist of more than 600 companies showcasing their latest products, as well as more live demonstrations and hands-on roofing clinics geared at fueling discovery in the booming roofing trade.

Whether commercial, residential or in a specialized sector of the roofing industry, there’s something for every roofing contractor. The show floor will again feature dedicated space for product demonstrations at designated exhibit booths and IRE’s Technology Pavilion, Metal Marketplace and Exterior Pavilion.

The last time the North American roofing industry’s largest trade show was in Las Vegas was August 2021, when health and safety restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic had just begun to lift nationwide. Careful planning and consideration for attendees’ health and safety were top of mind for organizers back then.

Thankfully, those days are behind us and with a spotlight already on Las Vegas in anticipation of the nation’s biggest football game of the year, just a few days after the IRE, it’s unsurprising that this year’s expo is generating high interest. Show planners also intend to build off the success of last year’s record-setting crowd in Dallas.

Informa Markets planned for another record show, providing a staggering 20 different hotels available this year.

“As the International Roofing Expo continues to grow, it continues to provide the best resources not only for the roofing and exteriors industry but also for the construction industry as a whole,” said Show Director Rich Russo of Informa Markets. “The evolving roofing trends reflect the industry's ongoing efforts to embrace innovation, sustainability and enhanced customer experiences.”

Learning Curve

Those experiences can be enhanced by what roofing contractors learn, see and experience throughout the expo. The show boasts eight educational tracks covering 45 topics across more than 100 sessions from a wide range of experts from roofing and other fields.

Show staffers intentionally select sessions from hundreds of proposals each year, looking for subjects that will provide training and unmatched insights in the field and spark critical conversations about the challenges facing the ever-changing landscape of roofing.

Showcasing the tools and innovations roofing contractors need to help improve their business is a highly anticipated aspect of the event every year. 

“You have access to a variety of speakers covering a wide range of topics, all in one place over the span of a few days,” said Dan Williams, managing director of Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc., a perennial exhibitor at the show. “You can choose the sessions that are right for you and go home with knowledge and perspective that will help you improve your business.”

Several Building Clinic demonstrations will highlight roofing and metals installation, as well as the inclusion of innovative materials like ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).

The Exterior Pavilion, launched in 2022 and continues to grow, features demonstrations and practices for exterior replacement projects. This year, organizers expanded the Exteriors Pavilion to increase in size and offerings, catering to contractors and exhibitors in the industry's windows, siding and doors segments.

Also returning to the expo this year is the Exteriors Education Stage, featuring sessions staffed with subject experts who will discuss business development in roofing and exteriors and provide firsthand training in the latest techniques and business solutions.

Russo said the show would offer "double the amount of space and content" related to exteriors at the Las Vegas Convention Center than its inaugural debut last year; that’s a lot of territory for siding, gutters, doors and windows. It’s a natural fit and area for potential growth of the show, as 65% of roofing contractor attendees offer other exterior products or services.

“The exteriors space is blowing up, and we’re excited to be offering the type of content our attendees are looking for,” Russo said.

The IRE is also committed to expanding the resources available to Hispanic contractors and enhancing their overall experience by offering content in Spanish. It starts at the start: The registration booths will have designated Spanish-speaking guides to help answer questions and troubleshoot situations onsite. The new IRE website will also have user-friendly links and tools for attendees to navigate the show floor and events. Exhibitors were requested to provide Spanish language signage in their booths, and show producers have forged partnerships with the National Hispanic Contractors Association and Latinos En Roofing.

Heavy on Metal

As part of a new partnership with the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance, the show will offer The Metal Roofing Clinic. The clinic provides three days of hands-on learning and demonstrations on metal roof installation and repairs; industry experts will walk attendees through the benefits, methods and materials used in metal roofing installation.

The metal roofing segment is anticipated to highlight the rapid growth in demand for metal shake, shingle and tile roofing; metal roofing products are forecasted to expand considerably as the demand for durable materials increases and homeowners gravitate toward more sustainable options with better performance.

"Our new partnership with the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance offers the ever-expanding roofing industry the tools they need to increase efficiency and longevity in roofing practices," Russo said.

It’s all part of a well-rounded experience that the show offers roofing contractors from any market.

“We will be an exhibitor at this year’s event as the International Roofing Expo continues to be one of the best places for us to meet with our valued contractors,” said Eric Miller, vice president of sales for Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions.

“Based on last year’s IRE, which was an incredibly positive opportunity to meet with customers, our hope is that the roofing trade show momentum continues,” Miller added.

IRE Recycling Update: Rinse and Repeat

Organizers of the IRE 2024 have emphasized an ongoing commitment to executing an environmentally friendly experience for attendees and its impact on the host city. The official Sustainability Program — which the Informa Markets FasterForward Program outlines — strives to identify, understand and address the environmental impact of every show it produces to reduce its carbon footprint.

Some of the new environmental practices implemented in 2023 that will return:

• Developed printed materials that can be reused or recycled for annual use.
• The expo’s floor plan and agenda are each available via the mobile app, and Informa has implemented a digital wayfinding system to reduce printed materials.
• Terracycle recycling bins will be deployed for attendees and exhibitors to recycle badges and lanyards.
• Reusable water bottles for both staff and exhibitors have replaced single-use water bottles.
• Digital signage has been deployed to replace traditional printed signage where possible.

Here’s how the host, the Las Vegas Convention Center, plans to help:

• Offer plant-based food and biodegradable cutlery options
• Using eco-friendly cleaning products
• Maximize show floor materials recycling efforts, including carpets, cables, etc.
• Connect vendors and building clients with local community groups, charitable organizations and others about local social responsibility initiatives.

REGISTER NOW!

You don’t have to wait until you arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center to start your IRE 2024 experience. Start the fun now by registering online at theroofingexpo.com.

The largest roofing show in North America casts a wide net — industry veterans and rookies — to learn about the products, trends and people influencing roofing markets today. Registration is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contractors will find the education and insight they need and the networking opportunities that may help build their business. All educational sessions require registration. Space in sessions is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Complete your registration now by logging into your customized registration dashboard and contacting an IRE registration customer service agent at 866-860-1970 or online at theroofingexpo.com.