NERCA, the North/East Roofing Contractors Association, is set to host its 96th annual convention and trade show next week, March 12-14, at the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass., and roofing professionals from across New England and the Northeast are invited to attend. 

NERCA is the regional association for roofing professionals covering Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Delaware.

Organizers say the event, which is expected to draw more than 2,000 participants, is for roofing contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, distributors, developers, business owners, and general contractors. 

This year’s convention and trade show is sponsored by the following companies and organizations: A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Beacon, Elevate, Atlas, ABC Supply Co., the MRCA, among others, and is structured to foster networking and growth opportunities for professionals across the roofing industry. 

A truncated schedule of the event includes:

Tuesday, March 12

HOW TO BECOME A ‘5 MILE FAMOUS’ ROOFING COMPANY

Speaker: Joseph Hughes, Owner & Visionary, Contractor Dynamics

Joseph Hughes will share five key takeaways to help win with marketing in 2024 and five key pillars to become a ‘5 Mile Famous’ roofing company — the company everyone thinks of first when they need a roof.

• How to build a marketing machine in your roofing company so you have control over your growth.
• How to build your brand to become the best-known company in your area.
• How to generate your own inbound appointments from people who want to work with you.
• How to put the right resources into the right activities to maximize your return on investment.

NRCA TECHNICAL ISSUES UPDATE

Speaker: Mark S. Graham – Vice President, Technical Services, National Roofing Contractors Association

Mark Graham will present the current technical issues of interest to roofing contractors, including:

• An overview of roofing-related changes in the 2024 I-codes
• Continuing concerns with FM’s field wind uplift testing
• Roof deck loading considerations
• Recent problem reports

DO WHAT THEY AREN’T – THE UNCONVENTIONAL MINDSET TO OUTTHINK YOUR COMPETITION

Speaker: Jim Johnson – Head Coach, ContractorCoachPRO

Jim Johnson, head coach at ContractorCoachPRO, will discuss how to truly differentiate everything about your company. Learn how the ‘heavy hitters’ think and why they are remembered when you aren’t. Get ready to flip the reset button on your mindset, and this ‘master reset’ will change how you see everything moving forward to always be remembered.

Wednesday, March 13

USING CONTRACT PROVISIONS TO ENHANCE SAFETY AND REDUCE PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS

Speakers: Stephen Phillips Esq. & C. Leanne Prybylski Esq., Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman & Siegel, PC

This seminar aims to make your job sites safer and reduce liability for personal injury and property damage. 

Based on his many years of experience representing roofing contractors, Phillips will present recommendations to reduce accidents resulting in serious personal injuries and steps to avoid property damage claims. 

The program is intended to improve rooftop safety and avoid property damage claims through discussion of best practices and contract provisions intended to cause all parties involved in the job to identify and address personal injury and property risks before your crew begins work on the roof. 

The program will include a discussion of preventing falls through areas of deteriorated decks, skylights and roof openings, pertinent OSHA standards and more.  

TECHNICAL ISSUES IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY PANEL 

Panelists: Mark Graham – Vice President, Technical Services, National Roofing Contractors Association; Stephen Phillips Esq. & C. Leanne Prybylski Esq. , Hendrick, Phillips, Salzman and Siegel P.C.

There’s no easier way to keep abreast of technical developments and updates in the roofing industry. Tradition dictates that NERCA offers employers the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on the technical issues found within the roofing industry. 

Mark Graham, NRCA’s vice president of technical services, will provide information about current roofing issues and answer your questions. Stephen Phillips and C. Leanne Prybylski have the pulse of legal issues facing the roofing industry and will cover the spectrum of issues that protect roofing contractors in today’s litigious world. 

Thursday, March 14

IMPLEMENTING AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY PROGRAM IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY 

Speaker: Peter Shackford – Director of Safety & Risk Control Services, Hettrick, Cyr & Associates

The goal of a safety program is to protect your workers from actual hazards and from any potentially significant risks. It also helps to establish compliance with both federal and state OSHA standards.

Creating an effective safety program for your company is critical to meeting those goals. Management commitment to safety is essential, and your safety program needs to be an integral part of your company’s management system. This presentation is targeted at giving your firm the key elements necessary to integrate safety more effectively into your company’s culture.

Attendees will learn successful methods of implementing various elements of safety within their organization.

The trade show floor will be open March 13 from 1 to 6 p.m. and March 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information and to register for the event, visit nerca.org.