Best in the West Show up for the 2023 Western Roofing Expo

By Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). 

The 2023 Western Roofing Expo ended up being the third largest show in its history. 

For 49 years, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) has been bringing together roofers from all over the West with our Western Roofing Expo (WRE). Each year, we see manufacturers, distributors, consultants and other roofing professionals come together at our shows to learn more about this industry. There, attendees have valuable networking opportunities and they learn about all the latest innovations in the roofing industry. 

This year was absolutely packed with attendees! According to final registration statistics 4,003 conventiongoers came from all over the United States to the Paris Las Vegas for the 49th Annual Western Roofing Expo. It ended up being the third largest show in WRE history.  

Action-filled events included the annual golf and sporting clays tournaments, welcome party and lively silent auction, exhibit floor, live product demonstrations, and the annual shingling competition – The Roofing Games™. There was a great overall sense of industry camaraderie, and many attendees described this year’s Expo as one of the best they’ve ever attended.  

Davis Memorial Foundation  

Founded in 1997 in memory of Larry and Mary Davis, the Davis Memorial Foundation's mission is to support higher education, particularly as it relates to the development of a well-educated construction industry. Scholarship awards are granted every year to high school, undergraduate and graduate students throughout the country. To raise money and awareness for these scholarships, events like the welcome party and lively silent auction, and annual golf and sporting clays tournaments have been established by the Foundation. 

2023 scholarship winners  

The requirements for these scholarships aren’t easy. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors, official transcripts from High Schools or Universities, and a Q&A written application to be considered eligible. For the 2023 academic year, the Davis Memorial Foundation awarded (10) $5,000 scholarships to the following outstanding students for a grand total of $50,000! To date, the Davis Memorial Foundation has now awarded over 170 scholarships, totaling over $750,000.  

• Andrew Foley (Texas Tech University)  
• Angel Muniz (Mt. San Antonio College)  
• Boston Opetaia (Baylor University)  
• Daniel Haefli (John Brown University)  
• Jonah Abigana (Cal Poly Pomona)  
• Luke St. Michell (Idaho State University)  
• Ryli Bowen (College of Marin) - Carlisle SynTec Award  
• Saray Cortes (University of California Los Angeles)  
• Siana Barker (Louisiana State University)  
• Tristan Black (Yavapai College)  

Congratulations to all for your hard work and commitment to higher education – the Davis Memorial Foundation wishes you all the best of luck in your bright futures! 

Golf and sporting clays tournaments  

The annual Golf Tournament was held bright and early in southern Las Vegas at the Revere Golf Club. The course was sold out with 136 participants who came out to play the challenging Concord Course at the club.  

Across the valley, the annual Sporting Clays Tournament was also held concurrently at the Pro Gun Club in Boulder City. The course was also maxed out with 72 participants, who also had a great time on the challenging desert terrain.  

A very special thank you to our Exclusive Tournament Sponsor: Beacon Building Products, our Title Sponsors: Western States Roofing Contractors Association, Western Roofing Magazine, Roofing Contractor Magazine and RoofersCoffeeShop — and all of the prize donators and tournament participants who help make the Davis Memorial Foundation’s tournaments a yearly success! 

Welcome party and lively silent auction  

Later that evening hundreds gathered back at the Paris Hotel & Casino, as Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees Chuck Chapman, Bill Baley and Greg Bloom emceed the western themed welcome party and lively-silent auction, sponsored by GAF. Fantastic, donated items such as hunting trips, vacations, electronic merchandise, jewelry, and of course, roofing-related products were all on display for attendees to bid on. The night was a huge success, and this amazing support could not have been achieved without the generous support from members like you! A special thanks to Davis Memorial Foundation Chairman and Trustees Heidi J. Ellsworth, Dennis Ryan and Joel Viera for making the auction such a fun event. On behalf of the entire foundation, its trustees and staff – and most importantly the scholarship recipients – thank you for your continued support! 

Seminars and sold-out exhibit hall  

Every year, the WSRCA puts on a diverse educational program designed to keep roofing contractors ‘in-the-know’ on vital roofing topics affecting the industry. On both Sunday and Monday, the seminar portion of the Western Roofing Expo was held prior to the opening of the floor. As you can see, all seminars were very well attended this year.  

For the opening of the trade show floor on Monday, 2023 WSRCA President Andy Clarke, along with newly elected incoming 2024 WSRCA President Mike Wakerling, were on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon. The sold-out exhibit hall floor featured over 190 local, regional, and national companies displaying their latest roofing products and services, many available only in the Western market. 

The vast majority of the exhibitors were extremely pleased with the outstanding attendee turnout…and as you can see, the exhibit hall was absolutely packed!  

Annual luncheon with mentalist - Dan Naturman  

Winding down the convention on Monday, September 25, comedian Dan Naturman made a guest appearance at the Annual Luncheon, sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. He showcased his hilarious stand-up comedy routine that had the audience in stitches during his performance. His act was quite the entertaining event, and it made for a fun, relaxed atmosphere heading into the final portion of the Expo.  

WSRCA Board Member of the Year  

Immediately following the luncheon entertainment, WSRCA presented its annual awards. Board Member of the Year went to Stan Robinson – Pacific West Roofing, Hubbard Oregon in recognition of his tireless work last year leading the Safety & Health Committee of WSRCA. A huge congratulations to Stan and thank you for all that you do for Western States! 

Outstanding Service Award  

Immediately following the Board Member of the Year presentation, WSRCA announced its Outstanding Service Award. For his contribution to Western States and the roofing industry for over 25 years, Hans Matheus — Matheus Safety Services & Eagle Roofing Products — Fresno, California accepted this award. Thank you Hans for all your tireless work and involvement over the years!  

Hall of Fame Award  

This prestigious award is only given out every few years, in recognition of outstanding service to the roofing industry and Association. For his decades of contributions, Dan Cornwell of CC&L Roofing, Portland, Oregon was recognized as the 2023 awardee. Thank you to Dan for his incredible dedication to the roofing industry, and Western States Roofing Contractors Association! 

Wrangler of the Year 2023  

For his outstanding efforts in recruiting potential WSRCA members to join the association, Randy Fernandez of Guardian Fall Protection won the 2023 ‘Wrangler of the Year’ award. A custom-made belt buckle commemorated his first win. Thank you for your commitment to growing our assocation, Randy!  

New slate of officers & directors announced  

Per the WSRCA bylaws, the new slate of Board Members were announced after the Annual Luncheon, having them assume their positions, effective immediately. They are as follows: 

WSRCA Executive Committee 

• President: Mike Wakerling, General Roofing Company. Oakland, California. 
• Senior vice-president: Kris Hitesman, Capitol Roofing Service. Sandy, Utah 
• Immediate former president: Andy Clarke, Tecta America Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona 
• Vice president - 1 year: Brian Butler, Wayne's Roofing. Sumner, Washington. 
• Vice president - 2 years: Stan Robinson, Pacific West Roofing LLC. Hubbard, Oregon. 
• Vice president - 2 years: Tyler Canaday, Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing. Sacramento, California. 
• Vice president - 2 years: Ron Lloyd, Kokua Roofing Service. Kailua Kona, Hawaii. 

WSRCA Board of Directors 

• Stephanie Baird, Bliss Roofing, Inc. Clackamas, Oregon. 
• Austin Barnhardt, Quality Roofing & Sheet Metal. Bozeman, Montana. 
• Chris Bowman, Collins Roofing, Inc. Lehi, Utah. 
• Marcus Clinco, C.I. Services, Inc. Anaheim, California. 
• Dan Cornwell, CC&L Roofing Company. Portland, Oregon. 
• Juan Delgado, Sustainable Living Builders, Inc. Santa Rosa, California. 
• Leo Ibarra, Blue's Roofing Company. Milpitas, California. 
• Jackson Johns, National Roofing Company. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
• Jake Magalsky, Ace Roofing, LLC. Missoula, Montana. 
• Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions. Vancouver, Washington. 
• Hillary McPartlon, McPartlong Roofing. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
• Valorie Miller, JBS Roofing. Glendale, Arizona. 
• Travis Nelson, Brown Roofing Company. The Dalles, Oregon. 
• Greg Pender, Highland Commercial Roofing. Phoenix, Arizona. 
• Paul Reed, North-West Roofing. Denver, Colorado. 
• Scott Riopelle, Interstate Roofing. Denver, Colorado. 
• Pete Schmautz, Star Roofing, Inc. San Antonio, Texas. 
• Wayne Sorensen, Top Line Roofing. San Diego, California. 
• Severin Wolf, Wolf & Wolf Roof Services. Belcarra, British Columbia. 

The Roofing Games™  

2023 As the trade show floor began its final events of the year that Monday — WSRCA, Malarkey Roofing Products hosted the shingling competition known as The Roofing Games™. Participants competed against one another in a timed installation of a Malarkey Roofing Products roofing system on a small wooden deck — and were judged on accuracy, aesthetics, workmanship, and speed. Nelson Friesen of Northern Sky Roofing from Kelowna, Canada was the 2023 winner with a time of 2:16:25. Congratulations to Nelson who won the title belt, goody bag, and $500 gift card from Malarkey Roofing Products. To all the participants who competed this year, fans in the crowd, and especially our Roofing Games™ sponsor — thank you for making this such a fun event! 

See you next year! September 29 - October 1, 2024 

From everyone here at WSRCA, the Davis Memorial Foundation Trustees and Staff – we would like to thank you for your continued support and for making the Western Roofing Expo THE premier roofing event in the West. Next year, the Western Roofing Expo will once again be hosted at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino from September 29 - October 1, 2024. Mark your calendars now, and we’ll see you next fall!