In spite of the fact that business is down and travel costs
are up, there has never been a better time to travel. And not just for the fun
of it.
In spite of the fact that business is down and travel costs
are up, there has never been a better time to travel. And not just for the fun
of it.
Roofing Contractor
recently published reports from the China Roofing and Waterproofing Expo 2008. [link
to www.roofingcontractor.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000389407]
For me it was an intriguing and entertaining trip, but I was prompted to report
on the roofing industry in China
and as part of my continuing education.
For years we have been hearing news reports about the
explosive growth in other parts of the world, most notably India and China. The Beijing Olympics gave
many Americans their first real glimpse of today’s China. If you thought the stories
of Chinese consumption of raw materials (cement, steel, copper, asphalt) was
made up by manufacturers to secure price increases, now you know the truth. The
truth is, the Chinese economic juggernaut is real and it continues to move
forward at a remarkable pace.
You do not have to travel to foreign lands to learn more
about them, but believe me, being there gives you an entirely different
perspective. We are blessed to have friends and associates there owing to our
involvement with NRCA and as the official publication of the International
Roofing Expo (IRE).
If you have an interest in learning more about the rest of
the world of roofing and building waterproofing, attend the IRE in February
2009. There will be delegations of roofing contractors (and other industry
participants) from many different parts of the world, including Asia, the
Middle East, and Europe. They come to the United States
for much the same reason as I suggest that you travel abroad: to learn how things
are done in other cultures and to enjoy a foreign trip at the company’s
expense.
I have already begun saving in hopes of making a trip to the
February 2010 Dach & Holz (roof and timber) expo in Germany.
