Elevating the Roofing Industry Through Advocacy

By Adam Cabrera. 

Advocacy training, like teaching participants how to effectively communicate with lawmakers and their staffers, is a key component of Roofing Day. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips, host Heidi J. Ellsworth talked with Deborah Mazol of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) about the significance of Roofing Day. This annual event brings roofing professionals to Washington, D.C., to advocate for pressing industry issues. 

First starting in 2018, Roofing Day is an industry-wide event that has gained prominence over the years, becoming an influential forum for roofing contractors, suppliers and associated professionals to advocate for their needs. The event allows members of the roofing community to connect with congressional members and their staff. This year, topics for advocacy included tax issues, Department of Energy funding and workforce shortage solutions through immigration reform and educational funding. 

Training for effective advocacy is a cornerstone of Roofing Day, which prepares participants to interact with lawmakers efficiently. According to Deborah, face-to-face interactions provide an opportunity for building a long-lasting relationship with lawmakers. She stressed that these relationships help lawmakers, “If it's just a cold call, maybe you'll reach someone, but when you're face-to-face with that person, you have a captive audience.” 

Since its debut, Roofing Day's impact is palpable. Industry professionals have witnessed increases in career and technical education funding and the passage of provisions like the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill. Moreover, the success of Roofing Day has inspired the organization of state-level events, expanding its influence to local and regional spheres. 

For those looking to participate, the NRCA provides ample resources and updates through its website, urging industry professionals to engage in roofing advocacy.  

Listen to the full Roofing Road Trips episode or read the transcript to learn more about Roofing Day and how you can get involved for next year.