Learn About the Latest Florida Industry Trends and Predictions for 2024!

By Anna Lockhart.  

FRSA convention attendees discussed relevant industry topics, how recent changes have impacted the roofing trade and what roofing professionals should expect over the next year. 

The Coffee Conversations cast recently broadcasted the webinar live from the 101st FRSA convention in Orlando, Florida, to meet with a panel of industry experts sponsored by SRS Distribution. The expert panel featured guests Keenan Perry of SRS Distribution, Mike Sheehan of Suncoast, Sara Jones of ICP Group, Kyle Nurminen of Total Roofing Systems and John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group. Together with host, Heidi J. Ellsworth, the panelists discussed the current state of the roofing industry in Florida and what they anticipate the next year will look like for the industry.  

The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) recently held their annual convention where roofing and metal professionals from across the country gathered to experience educational speaker events and seminars, mentorship and networking sessions and visit exhibitor booths featuring the latest industry innovations and products. The Coffee Conversations webinar was also recorded live at the convention where industry leaders sat down to discuss industry trends, insights about the local Florida roofing community and how they were enjoying the FRSA convention itself! 

The panelists highlighted the changes they have recently noticed in the Florida roofing industry, with the recent onslaught of bad weather, labor shortages and new state legislation. These factors have made many take a cautious approach, however, not everyone is letting these unknowns get in the way of their optimism.  

Kyle with Total Roofing Systems, based in Stewart, Florida, explained, “Where people see caution, I see an opportunity... The best thing that contractors and everybody can be doing right now is focused on what they're best at.”   

He pointed out that now is the time to focus on what you’re good at and build relationships with other experts in the industry to form a strong network. “Being conservative and cautious is one thing, but you still have to be really aggressive in what you're good at so you can get ahead of the slow times that are coming, so that's where we're really focused.”  

While inflation and interest rates fluctuating and changing, from the manufacturer point of view, there’s positivity to be found amidst the uncertainty. Sara Jones of ICP Group, said, “In coating and restorations, when there's inflation, oftentimes it actually opens up more opportunities for us because the cost to do a re-roof is increasing, and so people start looking at restorations a little bit more.” 

Watch the FRSA Live recording of the Coffee Conversations webinar to learn more about the expert discussion!