Everything is bigger in Texas … and the 2013 International Roofing Expo is no exception. With a larger trade show floor than last year, the roofing industry’s most comprehensive event will offer cost-saving resources, vital knowledge, powerful connections and much more. Held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the show will be held in San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the U.S.

Centrally located and geographically desirable for both the east and west coast attendees, San Antonio is known for its culturally significant arts, history, culture, museums and architecture, as well as major theme parks and the crown jewel of the city, the River Walk lined with restaurants, patios, galleries and shops. 

“San Antonio is such a unique city within Texas and wonderful host city for the IRE,” said Lindsay Roberts, group director of the Expo. “The larger show floor, inspiring Keynote and all the other show features, coupled with the great weather, make this is a can’t-miss show. Register today!”

If you have any doubts about the value of attending the 2013 IRE, let’s preview a few highlights of this year’s event.

On the Show Floor
The tradeshow floor will feature an array of products, new value-added services and the most innovative ideas in roofing materials and technology from 430 exhibiting companies in more than 960 booths. On display will be the following products to help you profit: gutters, insulation, ladders, coatings/adhesives, siding, built-up roofing, fasteners, TPO, machinery equipment/tools, EPDM, metal roofing, modified bitumen, roof/decking materials, PVC, roof pavers, walkways/ballast, shingles, skylights, slate, spray polyurethane foam, tile, vapor retarders, ventilation, waterproofing, and much more.

Returning this year is the Technology & Business Services Pavilion, sponsored by Dataforma, where attendees will find the latest products and services to help keep your sales up all year long. You will see the newest trends and meet the suppliers that will help you select the right products to help you manage your business. In addition to the products, a series of 30-minute demonstrations will be presented. 

Find exactly what you need to keep your business on the cutting-edge in the Product Showcase where you will see, try and compare the latest and unique new, green and safety products.

Stop by the Metal Marketplace on the show floor to find cutting-edge manufacturers supplying creative and innovative metal products, designs, building concepts, tools and services. If metal is your specialty, you will find what you need here.

Learn tricks, tips and detailed instructions from OMG and Equipter as they present demos of their products, equipment and materials. These dynamic and interactive clinics are presented daily throughout the day right on the show floor.

Special Events
Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain, Mark Kelly, will present the Keynote Address, “Endeavor to Succeed,” discussing his experiences naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War, as well as aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour and Discovery. Already a celebrated American, Kelly was thrust into the international spotlight after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. Sponsored by NRCA, the Keynote is free with all registration packages, but advance registration is required.

After the show closes on opening day, head over to the Welcome Party at the historic Sunset Station, a National Historic Landmark known for its rich history and exquisite architecture, for an evening filled with good times, fun music and gambling. Enjoy free hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, hand-shaken margaritas and soda, while mingling with the best and brightest pros from our industry. Sponsored by USG, the Welcome Party will be held Tuesday, February 5, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. All guests must be 21 years of age with valid ID and IRE name badge. Free admission for conference registrants; $40 admission fee for Expo Only registrants. Advance registration is required. 

Show participants are encouraged to arrive in South Texas a day early, roll up their sleeves and give back to the San Antonio community by participating in Community Service Day’s home renovation and revitalization project sponsored by Sika Sarnafil. 

Held Monday, Feb. 4, from 8:30 .am. - 4:00 p.m., volunteers are needed from a variety of construction disciplines to help repair the homes of unemployed and disabled families. All skill levels are needed from professional to skilled to amateur. Don’t feel skilled at all? No problem — there is plenty for you to do!
Register to participate when you register for the show; tax-deductible monetary donations can also be made during registration. 

Educational Program
Through the exceptional educational conference, attendees can choose from 44 knowledge-building sessions in eight tracks where you will learn the best practices and the latest technologies designed to improve your skills and grow your business. With 42 new topics, sessions will cover rooftop solar, technology tools, sustainability requirements and ratings, OSHA updates, social media, green codes and standards, building-integrated photovoltaics, as well the Contractor’s Sales Boot Camp, High Level Business Operations Forum, Asphalt Fumes Health Issues Update, Federal Legislative and Regulatory Outlook, Q&A with OSHA’s Directorate of Construction — and much more.

Sessions are specifically targeted to commercial/residential/metal contractors, owners/CEOs/general managers, superintendents/foremen, architects/designers/consultants, salesmen/estimators, manufacturers/ suppliers and building owners/facility managers. 

Held Tuesday through Thursday, classes are 90 minutes in length and do not overlap the exhibit hall hours, allowing you ample time on the show floor.

Tracks cover technical, workplace safety, leadership/management, green building, legal/HR, money matters, sales/service and general business.

To read the session descriptions, click Session & Event Search at www.TheRoofingExpo.com/attendee to search the full conference schedule by session title, track, date, speaker, CEUs and/or keyword. 

Designed to help attendees advance their businesses and careers, many sessions have been approved by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Construction Industry Licensing Board and RCI, Inc.

Registration 
All educational sessions are ticketed events and require registration. Space in sessions is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. For more information regarding registration, visit www.TheRoofingExpo.com/attendee or call 972-819-7606 or 866-860-1970. To register on-site, proceed to the registration counter at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 200 East Market Street in San Antonio, Texas. 

Communications 
With all the wonderful technology available today, there are so many ways to stay connected to the IRE, such as the free mobile app which can be downloaded by searching IRE2013 in the iPhone, iPad or Android app store. You can also text RoofExpo to 66746 for show info via text alerts. 

The IRE is also on various social media sites such as LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1963938, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RoofingExpo, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/RoofingExpo, Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/RoofingExpo, and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/RoofingExpo.