Grow Your Knowledge at Western Roofing Expo 2021

By Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). 

Seminars on September 22-23 promise to help you develop into a more knowledgeable roofing contractor.  

Learn from experts in the field how to more efficiently and adeptly install commercial and residential roof systems, gain insight on how to navigate challenging legal issues, learn tactics for managing COVID-19 and better understand updated industry standards like ASCE 7-2016 at the Western Roofing Expo 2021 - September 21-23 at The Mirage Las Vegas! 

Wednesday, September 22 seminar highlights include: 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - ASCE 7-2016: How Does the Update Affect Installation - A Critical Analysis   

James Kirby, GAF 

The changes to ASCE 7-16 have created quite a stir in the roofing industry. The prediction of higher wind pressures and the use of higher wind-rated roof systems has been discussed often. Where do we really stand? This presentation will take an in-depth look at wind uplift design and installation of multiple buildings in numerous cities. Design wind pressures and roof zones sizes will be compared, and then differences in required uplift capacity, including a material usage perspective will be assessed. 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Navigating Legal Issues of COVID-19  

Ben Briggs, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants 

This seminar will focus on advanced HR and safety policies for protecting your business against COVID-19 legal issues. The topics discussed will include contract updates, job site protection plans, HR policies and SOPs for implementing the policies and the implementation of home office and job site COVID-19 guidelines. 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Empowering Your Field Leaders  

John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group  

This course is designed to provide contractors and subcontractors with an overview of how properly train to empower their frontline supervisors. (Foreman – Crew Leaders). Learn ways to improve revenue and profit by your crew leaders and the affective outcomes on safety, quality, production and project obligations. 

10:15a.m.  – 11:30 a.m. - Fastener Thermal Bridging in Low Slope Roofs Energy, Economics, Codes, and Verification  

James Kirby, GAF 

Recent studies show the economic costs of thermal bridging. Modeling suggests that energy loss, lost insulation value, and resulting economic cost of thermal bridging due to fasteners could be significant. Efforts to experimentally verify the predictions will be discussed. ASHRAE’s definition of thermal bridging shrugs off the effects of fasteners. The findings of just how significant fastener thermal bridging could be, if confirmed experimentally, will likely drive code changes. 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Navigating Material Volatility and Supply Chain Issues

Trent Cotney, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants / WSRCA Legal Counsel 

This course is designed to provide roofing contractors with an overview of how to combat bottlenecks and shortages in the roofing supply chain. The seminar will focus on the most pertinent provisions that roofers should include in their contracts to protect their business and how to negotiate price increases and time extensions with existing contracts. 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - How to Build a Resilient Contracting Business  

Danny Kerr, Breakthrough Academy 

If your business is feeling more vulnerable than you’d like it to right now, this session is for you. The reality is that most contractors are idea-driven problem solvers who know how to get results quickly but lack the knowledge and implementation skills needed to structure their companies for long term success and stability; even in the face of unpredictable economic fluctuations. If you’d rather thrive than simply survive, join BTA for this talk and get some battle-tested infrastructure that transforms you from a doer-of-all-things to a builder of great systems and a leader of great people. 

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. - Legislative Luncheon with Keynotes 

Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group and Reid Ribble, NRCA 

Our favorite Washington insiders will provide the popular "Year in Review" as to what is happening that affects the roofing industry. Issues like immigration reform, workers safety, labor relations, regulatory reform, taxes and other interesting topics will be covered. 

Thursday, September 23 seminar highlights include: 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - The History of Roofing  

Trent Cotney & John Kenney, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants /WSRCA Legal Counsel 

This program discusses the history of roofing from thatch to monolithic and everything in between. John Kenney and Trent Cotney are both roofing memorabilia collectors with over 10,000 pieces. The presentation will include historical photos, advertising, specification manuals and other pieces of roofing history and trivia. 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Low-Slope Roofing Wind Design  

Darren Perry, SOPREMA 

CEU: AiA, IIBEC, IACET 
This presentation focuses on commercial low-slope roofing wind design, and covers fundamental building codes and standards related to wind design. This presentation includes a detailed review of ASCE 7, “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings & Other Structures.” Wind uplift testing requirements are covered, as well as agency approvals and listings for low-slope roofing. 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - The Science of Rooftop Safety: What Companies Need to Know 

National Women in Roofing, Panel 

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. While many in the roofing industry are knowledgeable about safety, everyone needs to understand the science of safety. The NWIR panel will discuss the hierarchy of controls, and touch on factors to consider as you review your company’s safety culture to ensure best practices for general construction and roofing safety as well as office and site safety. 

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - OSHA Inspection and Citation Process 

Kyle Rea, Cotney Attorneys and Consultants 

This course is designed to inform and teach contractors and subcontractors how to improve workplace safety and workplace safety programs; how to document employee safety training; what to expect during an OSHA compliance officer inspection; OSHA citations and what actions must be taken by the contractor and subcontractor. 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Sustainable Building Envelopes  

Frank Saldaña CSI, CDT, LEED and ATAS International 

This course will review a variety of ways that metal roofing and metal wall cladding can contribute toward a sustainable building envelope. From solar-ready metal roof systems, to energy-efficient paint coatings and cool roofing, to above sheathing ventilation, to insulated metal roof and wall panels, attendees will learn about systems and installation methods that can contribute to a sustainable and energy-efficient building. With the increased use of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, a solar-ready metal roof as a platform is an ideal choice, due to its long service life. When installing a rooftop PV system over a metal roof, a building owner benefits from a roofing substrate that has a greater life expectancy than the solar panels. 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Legal Issues When Using Subcontractors on Projects   

Trent Cotney,  Cotney Attorneys and Consultants and WSRCA Legal Counsel 

This program is designed to educate contractors on legal issues that may arise when using subcontractors on projects and how to navigate them. The seminar will discuss employee classification, how to handle multi-employer worksite with OSHA, subcontractor licensure and contract provisions to protect your business.  

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Intentional Training - Train Your Workers to the Front of the Pack   

Jared Ribble, National Roofing Contractors Association 

A tight labor market often results in unskilled laborers working on roofing jobs before they’re ready, a situation which often causes distress and leads to turnover. A proactive solution in many cases is better training right inside your company. Learn how your company can use intentional training as a leading retention tool. 

Many more seminars will be led by industry leaders during the expo.  

Register today so you don’t miss out on these opportunities to develop your business and roofing skills! 

Learn more about the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wsrca.com.